Pretty sure the rest of the car is designed in the UK though.
Summer car. Audi TT or Lotus Elise?
- Thread starter regulus
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Pretty sure the rest of the car is designed in the UK though.
Well, again, can you tell me what defines a girls car as you are saying a TT one.
McLaren use German engines and get plenty of investment from Arabs ... yet still they remain British. Lotus is the same really. You'll always get Brits that like to discredit their own country's successful brands though.
Nothing tangible, it's hard to quantify. Sorry if you own one, I don't think men who drive them are all puffs.
Indeed, most cars will share components from foreign cars, or have some elements that are designed or made abroad. It just so happens that Lotus used an off the shelf engine I imagine.
Lotus are owned by Proton (Malaysian company), use Toyota (and other) engines.
But yes, they are still "British", simply because they happen to still be based here and design their stuff here.
For the same reason the Nissan Micra CC, the MX5 (at times the RX8) and the MR2 spyder are labelled as such. They just don't look mean enough and don't make enough power, don't have turbos and so on.
Yes, I can say why, but not very specifically. Assuming we are talking about the old one, it's a very "clinical" looking car, and also quite fashionable looking, the kind of thing I'd expect a shallow fashion/image obsessed women to buy. It also is a bit soft, at least in standard form. Basically the image, styling, and even target market to a certain extent is aimed at women imo.
Er noTheir connection to Britain is far more than just that. Read up on their history.
I know about Lotus' history. Does that make the new MINI British? How about the Chinese owned MG? Jag? Landie?
End of the day, who owns the company does matter, in different amounts to different people and it also depends on the exact company structure, mentality and designs.
Being Historically a British Brand does not make them currently British also.
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The MINI, new MG aren't designed here though. The only reason those two examples are assembled here are for commercial reasons. Don't know about LR... I would be surprised if Ford/Yanks (oh wait it's the Indians and Tata now isn't it?) had any clue about what makes a good off roader though so I'd hazard a guess that they're still designed here. The Jag XF chassis was designed by Lotus. Aston Martin current chassis' are designed by Lotus. Lotus is comprised 95% by employees in the Norfolk or East Anglia area.
Who owns the company matters yes. But not as much as you think. Lotus' connection with Proton is pretty much analogous to the connection a teenager has with their parents. I.e. some pocket money in return for some boring house chores.
Who owns the company matters yes. But not as much as you think. Lotus' connection with Proton is pretty much analogous to the connection a teenager has with their parents. I.e. some pocket money in return for some boring house chores.
Who actually owns the company isn't that important, especially when buying second hand. It's about an emotional connection with the car. In general I more likely to get that with a car that has a British pedigree, be that the brand, or a specific model. Even the current Mini is more British in my opinion than most cars, because it is made here, and it is inspired by one of the most British cars.
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Doubt it's a luxury car. More like a little fancy city run around car.
