Lotus chassis technology wins top RAC prize

The award was for the company’s development of its versatile vehicle architecture (VVA) chassis (pictured) technology developed to exploit the benefits of producing at low to medium volumes but for niche markets. VVA exploits Lotus Engineering’s expertise in aluminium, steel and composite body engineering, joining techniques, and vehicle systems integration. The innovative technology is used for the 3.5-litre V6 mid-engined 2+2 Lotus Evora. RAC chairman John Wood said: "The thing that particularly impressed the judges was the single minded determination with which the team at Lotus had sought to find the best possible solution to the particular problem of building an uncompromised lightweight chassis for a low volume road car, and then continually developed and refined that concept to respond to emerging requirements. “What they have now is a platform system that is not only ideal for high performance sports cars, but also almost infinitely versatile and well suited to the needs of niche vehicle manufacturing in an era where environmental concerns are driving a demand for lightweight structures for a multitude of applications." Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley said the automotive industry was changing fast and technology needed to be robust, faster to market and more cost and mass effective than ever before. “Lotus will be there at the forefront of this exciting period for the future of personal transport,” he went on.