A The production of a completely brand new engine is an expensive business and therefore a more sensible economic route is to source a drivetrain from elsewhere and modify it to suit the needs of the M250. A Reaction will be gauged over the next few months before a decision is made. Features Intended as more of an everyday car than the Elise, the M250 will have luxury items as befits as car in the price bracket. Air conditioning, central locking and electric windows can be expected. Being a Lotus, don't expect any driver assistance aids such as traction or stability control though.
Lotus prefer to engineer a responsive and well behaved chassis from the start.
Power steering is included however. If the car does go into production then it would appear in the dealers showrooms in the first half of 2001. Around 3000 a year would be made. The popular rumour is ' Emas ' but Lotus are keeping tight lipped about that. Rivals in that price range will include the TVR Tuscan and BMW Z3M Coupe.