Exotic Lotus models make CRC Speedshow debut

Fresh from making its official debut in New Zealand with its first-ever dedicated dealership in Auckland, legendary British sports car and motor sport brand Lotus will also make its CRC Speedshow debut this July.

Lotus Auckland opened late in 2013 following the distribution of Lotus in Australia and New Zealand becoming the responsibility of leading New Zealand business and sportsman, Neville Crichton, the executive chairman of Australasia’s largest independent car importer group of companies which includes Lotus, European Automotive Imports and the Ateco Group.

With the dealership now fully operational selling and maintaining the Lotus range of sports and supercars to Lotus enthusiasts New Zealand-wide, Lotus Auckland general manager James Berry says the manufacturer’s strong ties with motorsport make creating a Lotus display at CRC Speedshow a ‘no-brainer’.

Berry says: “There could be few brands better suited to be at CRC Speedshow than Lotus with its unique record in motorsport and its range of road cars that can trace both their lineage and their performance directly back to motorsport. It’s a combination that will be music to enthusiast’s ears, with the legendary UK motorsport and sports car company represented by a New Zealander who has raced cars himself and has the business acumen and power to make Lotus a permanent part of the New Zealand motoring enthusiast scene.

“CRC Speedshow will enable Lotus to present its latest models to New Zealand enthusiasts and remind them that the legendary British car maker is the only manufacturer to have won both Formula One and World Rally Championship manufacturers titles,” says Berry. “For 60 years Lotus has produced benchmark performance and sports cars alongside launching a wide range of technology firsts. CRC Speedshow will also enable us, as the team from Lotus Auckland, to demonstrate our commitment to Lotus, our expertise and knowledge of this iconic marque and our aim to offer perfect customer service for Lotus owners.”

Berry says CRC Speedshow fans can look forward to seeing three Lotus models at the show.

“Few cars can rival the tactile mid-engined, rear-wheel drive agility of the Lotus Elise which is tuned to deliver phenomenal feedback with surefooted handling.

“The Lotus Exige S Roadster combines the mesmerising power and handling of its coupé twin; its 345 hp (350 PS) supercharged V6 engine blends with an open air experience that makes the driver feel all the more at one with the road.

“And we’re delighted to present the track-ready Lotus 2Eleven sports car. Powered by a 1.8-litre supercharged engine which pumps out 188kW, the Lotus 2Eleven weighs just 670 kg and delivers a 0-to-100 km/h time of just 3.8 seconds!”

CRC Speedshow director Ross Prevette is buzzing about seeing the Lotus models at this year’s CRC Speedshow, which runs 19 and 20 July at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds.

Prevette says: “Having a car manufacturer like Lotus with such a rich and extensive global involvement in motoring and motorsport at CRC Speedshow is just fantastic. These are the kind of new exotic and sports cars that show visitors love seeing so we’re really excited to have the team from Lotus Auckland join us this year.

“There’s quite a lot about Lotus that the average motorsport fan may not know, such as the fact they have their own engineering department, along with a UK-based driving academy and licensing system. There’s also a Lotus Cup race series which is contested in Europe, Eastern Europe, UK, USA, Japan and Italy and, approved by the FIA in July last year is the popular FIA Lotus Ladies Cup European Championship. With all the great Lotus models, racing and lifestyle clothing to talk about, we’re sure that Lotus New Zealand will bring something new and different to the show.”

The CRC Speedshow runs at the ASB Showgrounds, Auckland over the weekend of 19 and 20 July 2014 with five display halls, hundreds of vehicles on display, opportunities to meet racing stars and automotive experts, fun children’s activities and top-class entertainment in the Ideal Wheels live action arena. Follow CRC Speedshow on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Speedshow), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/speedshownz) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/speedshow/).