Lotus wants to appeal to a broader market

This makes no sense. We already have a Porsche, a Ferrari and an Aston Martin. We don't have another Lotus, certainly not in the USA, where other lightweight cars have not penetrated. So Lotus trying to be Porsche, Ferrari or Aston Martin is goofy. They should be Lotus, and find ways to be MORE Lotus and not more like Porsche, Ferrari and Aston Martin.

Lotus has been attempting to go upmarket since the original Elite, which was still recognizably a Lotus. The latest Lotus, the Evora, is hardly a historically accurate follow on what with 3,000+ lb weight, four seats, V-6, AC, etc and it does not even drive like a Lotus (drive one and compare the experience to an Elite, Elan, or Europa).

One could argue that the future of the IC engined vehicle is going to be smaller engined lighter weight. So a development of the 3 cylindered engine around a small light weight car would be a good example of a viable car in the Lotus tradition.

To blame are Lotus management, the Board of Directors, and the stockholders. They are the ones that set the future of the company. But then Chapman wanted to go upmarket. So even the founder sowed the seeds for future failure.

You might be right about the Evora being less of a "Lotus" than the Elise . . . but the Evora is still much closer to the Lotus tradition than almost any other car with its profile on the market. . . . and it is merely an attempt to broaden the appeal of the brand beyond the teeth chattering, tight two seater that is the Elise.

It is no surprise that Lotus wants to appeal to a broader market than just those of us who want to drive an Elise (where the passenger seat is fixed and is 3/4 the width of the driver's seat and your butt is four inches off the roadway, and you and your passenger have to crowbar in your body every time you enter and exit -- none of which bothers me, but we Elise lovers sure aren't the mainstream).