BEN PAYNE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, LTCC

What was the biggest challenge with the Eletre?

“Balancing everyone’s expectations. It’s critical for the success of the brand. It must appeal to the 22-yearold hyper-rich Chinese buyer versus someone who has owned 10 Lotus sports cars. It’s a hell of a responsibility taking a heritage brand like Lotus and balancing the product so it appeals to a huge customer base.”

How quickly did you turn the car around?

“Six months ago, this car was unrecognisable and now it’s tooled. Traditionally, product development takes eight years. When you have a tech-laden product such as the Eletre, the tech moves fast. Our processes are now solidified. We’ve delivered one car, so it should be easier with the second and third car.”

What’s the spirit of the Eletre in your mind?

“It is about pushing the boundaries and going about things slightly differently. It comes back to the brand. What was the ethos of Lotus? What was Colin Chapman trying to do? We look back for the mentality of Lotus rather than for styling direction. When we say ‘lifestyle products’, it’s something that has the emotion of Lotus but is also practical for every day. But it can’t be all things to all people. The brand represents something progressive.”