"If you have some knowledge of Lotus history, it's not hard to see the tradition of customizing vehicles for specific customers has been passed down from the MARK I to the TYPE25 built for legendary driver Jim Clark, and now to the current EVIJA and EMEYA models."
Selected Cars 163's 916th newsletter
At this year's Beijing Auto Show, Lotus officially launched Lotus Chapman Bespoke, allowing Chinese Lotus fans to get personalized rides tailored to each individual.
163 seconds to discover the highlights of the Lotus booth (Source: pulsestacks)
Unlike other personalized customizations, Lotus doesn't just provide customized solutions based on user needs, but involves users in every aspect of vehicle manufacturing from design to delivery. With Tailor Made, Collection, One-off, and Classic as the core businesses, users can participate in various stages of vehicle production, creating a unique sense of involvement and exclusivity that defines Lotus Chapman Bespoke.
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Ground-effect racing car TYPE 79 in black and gold livery
Now available in Chapman Bespoke
Do you remember the ground-effect technology that was so powerful it got banned from F1? The appearance of the legendary track car TYPE 79 has always been the focus of the Lotus booth, but this year, Chapman Bespoke has added a tribute to the black and gold legendary series with Tailor Made.
Including the exclusive EVIJA FITTIPALDI limited edition starting at $26.88 million, the EMEYA TYPE 79 bespoke edition, the ELETRE TYPE 79 bespoke edition (specs | images), and the EMIRA TYPE 79 bespoke edition, all featuring unique black and gold color schemes and exceptional performance, perfectly embody the supreme glory of the Lotus "Black and Gold Dynasty."
If the black and gold series on the stand is a reproduction and tribute to Lotus' racing genes, then the limited edition EMEYA under the Chapman Couture is a showcase of Lotus' continuous pursuit of technological innovation and couture luxury.
LOTUS Chapman Couture Customization (Source: pulsestacks)
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Limited to 31 units in China
Unique Blossoms in All Seasons
The latest work under Lotus - EMEYA Blossom, becomes the first four-door car in the Lotus Chapman Couture Customization Collection. The bespoke EMEYA is themed around "Blossoming Flowers," "Spring New Leaves," "Golden Layers in the Woods," and "Deep Blue Snow Night," symbolizing the four seasons of life, corresponding to the four seasons of the Chapman Manor.
Clive Chapman, son of Colin Chapman and Managing Director of Lotus Classic Team, said: "May is the birth month of my parents. The 31 days of May, each day is unique. Each EMEYA Blossom bespoke limited edition will be given an exclusive number, reflecting its unique significance in the Chinese market with a limited release of 31 units. Priced starting at RMB 1.368 million, each car will have a three-digit exclusive number starting with 5."
The EMEYA Blossom Limited Edition draws inspiration from the gradient colors of the blooming daylilies and champagne roses at Chapman Manor in summer. Guided by a British paint master with 46 years of experience at Lotus, after 150 days of experimentation and refinement, the hand-painted finish faithfully reproduces the gradient colors of the blossoming flowers.
In addition, EMEYA blooms on the interior panels, featuring 42 natural sapphires sourced from Sri Lanka and Myanmar. These sapphires, formed over millions of years, showcase tranquil deep blue hues reminiscent of the ocean, as well as pink hues like a spring sunrise, yellow tones akin to amber in a pine forest, and green shades resembling fresh leaves after rain.
The design inspiration for this gemstone comes from the dewdrops on flowers in Chapman Garden at dawn. Each gemstone has up to 68 facets, reflecting dazzling and brilliant light. Additionally, the newly developed leather seats, adorned with British floral perforated decorations in the U-shaped backrest area, present a gradient effect consistent with the exterior color style, making the EMEYA blossoms appear more elegant and charming.
The Lotus, as a new member of the Fast Charge Committee, partners with NIO to redefine luxury recharging. As one of the top three global sports car brands committed to electrification and intelligence, Lotus introduced the VISION80 ten-year revival plan in 2018, now entering the second half of its journey.
Last year, Lotus, along with Volvo, Polestar, and Jaguar Land Rover, established China's first Fast Charge Committee focusing on luxury charging experiences. By building an interconnected charging network, they aim to explore innovative recharging solutions, providing efficient, safe, smart, and shared recharging experiences.
Today, Lotus takes another big step in its recharging ecosystem by officially announcing a partnership with NIO for interconnected charging in the field. In detail, Lotus and NIO will engage in comprehensive and multi-level strategic cooperation in various aspects of the charging and swapping industry, including battery standards, charging and swapping technologies, battery asset management and operations, charging and swapping service network construction and operations, charging and swapping vehicle model research and customization, and interconnected charging.
"Cooperation is always the better option," admitted Mr. Li Bin, founder, chairman, and CEO of NIO. "Lotus not only runs fast on the track but also charges quickly. As a luxury supercar brand, they have indeed raised the standard of recharging experience to a new level!"
Currently, Lotus has access to over 2,000 NIO charging stations nationwide, including 341 highway charging stations, covering nearly 300 cities. Lotus owners can enjoy "Power Journeys" scenic routes for recharging. This collaboration allows Lotus users to experience Lotus's track-level luxury charging and enjoy the convenience of NIO's recharging network, once again embodying the brand value of FOR THE DRIVERS.
Mr. Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Group, said: "I believe that with the growth of the Flash Charging Committee, the phrase 'wherever gas cars can go, electric cars can go' will definitely come true! Lotus users can freely pursue their 'Shangri-La in their hearts'."
Closing Thoughts
At this year's Beijing Auto Show, Lotus undoubtedly went all out, showcasing its allure as a super luxury brand. Whether it's the top-of-the-line Evija high-end edition or the unique Chapman bespoke model, Lotus delivered an unparalleled experience that sets it apart from any other brand.
This further confirms Lotus as one of the world's top three supercar brands, showcasing the pinnacle of luxury and performance. It's undeniable that under the brand spirit of "For the Drivers," the fully electric Lotus is gradually standing out. The once king of the F1 circuit may well revive its glory on the "new track" of the new era. The future looks promising.
