Lotus Day 2023 saw the first production Eletre Hyper-SUVs presented to customers at a spectacular event at Shanghai International F1 Circuit in China.
Hundreds of customers and special guests attended an evening of dynamic displays, a historical line-up and a special replica Cessna jet – inspired by the iconic Colin Chapman photograph from 1979.
The Chapman family was represented in China by Classic Team Lotus managing director, Clive Chapman. He addressed the audience at the Shanghai circuit and spoke about the extraordinary achievements of his parents, how Colin Chapman’s mantra was to ‘put the fun in to motoring’ and how many special memories resulted from that over 75 great years of history. He closed by saying: “Amazingly, 2023 will be the best of those 75 years!”
Also joining the celebrations was Lotus enthusiast and customer, Jenson Button, who served as CEO Mr Feng’s driver in an Emira V6 in an event that was, above all, For The Drivers. Jenson also took the opportunity to drive laps of the F1 circuit in an Eletre which brought back memories of his 12 F1 visits to the circuit with several podium finishes and a win. He said: “It’s a fast circuit with some really tricky corners, but the Eletre really handles it well – with very little roll through the bends. It’s fast and agile too. I can’t wait to get my hands on mine.”
