Complicate And Add Heaviness: COTD

One of the more famous quotes in automotive history came from Lotus founder Colin Chapman, who is said to have uttered, “Simplify and add lightness.” (Note: There’s debate over Chapman’s exact words, so I took what the Lotus website says.) It has been the Lotus driving philosophy to construct lightweight vehicles that deliver a pure driving experience without the complexity of something like, oh, my Volkswagen Phaeton. Luxury marques have long offered programs for well-off customers to craft their own one-offs, and Lotus has decided it wants in with Lotus Chapman Bespoke.

However, DialMforMiata wonders if Lotus Chapman Bespoke will mean a heavier Lotus:

I’m betting that under Lotus’ “Chapman Bespoke” program the two things you won’t be able to do are:

1. Simplify
2. Add lightness

I think Andy Individual is onto something here:

“Lotus Chapman Bespoke”

What a perfect way to brand “Add Lightness to the Wallet”.

Yesterday, Lewin wrote a story about how Ford would have to build something like 995,000 EVs per year if it were to meet EPA rules. Toecutter voiced frustration at the fact that there are no truly inexpensive long-range EVs:

Automakers are dragging their feet by not offering quality, smaller, more efficient electric vehicles that get long range on small battery packs at low price points. They want everyone in oversized trucks and SUVs/CUVs that are designed to nickel and dime them every step of the way before filling up landfills once thy can’t be repaired at end of life, and have entirely ignored the bottom of the market.

The cheapest BYD Seagull is $9,500, and the long-range version that is touted as having 250 miles range on the Chinse driving cycle costs $11,400(probably gets 150 miles range on U.S. highways, but still…). The U.S. automakers could build EVs at least as good at a similar price point, but they chose not to.

If the automakers screw up, that’s on them. Let the Chinese bring their cars in, if the U.S. automakers won’t make affordable EVs for the masses that are currently driving 15-year-old clunker ICEs. No EPA mandates needed.

Today, Thomas wrote about the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, which has a funny name and a funky design. I totally agree with Citrus here:

BMW still can’t shake the clumsy surfacing.

Going to be real, for all the complaining about Chris Bangle back in the day – and even today, in spite of him being out of the industry for 15 years – Adrian van Hooydonk was the real villain this entire time.

That’s right, Adrian Clarke! Bangle isn’t that bad of a man! Finally, we arrive at Thomas’ article that points out that old British cars are still a heck of a deal out there. I like Rusty S Trusty’s line of thinking here. Sure, it may not be a perfect EV, but it could be a fun one to build:

I think old European roadsters like this are the perfect things to electrify. Most of them aren’t so precious that retaining originality is of any concern; They’re not expensive and pretty simple, mechanically; and they wouldn’t need a huge whopping battery pack or a ton of power to be better than original in a lot of ways. Old Fiats, MG’s, Alfas, etc. I kinda wish I had the resources and know how to do one myself.

Aaron saw the hilarity in that:

Plus, the irony of making a car notorious for electrical gremlins into an EV. You’d have to make custom Lucas badging for the major EV components.

Have a great evening, everyone.