Lotus on Its last legs?

This transcript is automatically generated

Welcome to fox car report Gary guests who have appeared Jordan in New York auto show special last week if you didn't see yet it's down there in the video -- -- -- just go look for it there but as we often do we cover the show last week this week who didn't go ahead except what we saw the show in a little more.

In depth fashion with me to do that Alex the scalpel -- automotive editor from consumer search.

Come follows a weekend editor over auto blog a country to -- events when I'm in a much so a New Yorkers sure we're still gonna by the way they'll be going on through this weekend if you -- to be here.

In New York City.

Great show for failing men and women yes the place looked like the parking lot outside of a curve zero babies.

Yes it was one of those things where I mean the cars were significant you've been whether it's like the Lexus ES or they -- Chevry Impala.

You know these are cars that are going to be -- volume players but it's not so sexy not very much at all I'll.

One however though completely stole the show -- everything else worthless and if you're gonna go to New York it's worth going just to see this car and of course it is the SRT viper.

Replacement for the legendary.

Dodge -- now being sold with the SRT performance brand.

They really hit this one -- of the -- it's hard to find fault with this car 640 horsepower V ten.

Thing is just gorgeous carbon fiber aluminum body you know they this is a big deal for Chrysler it's there halo car and they didn't blow this at all that.

Not at all I mean they went back to the original viper because it looked looks more like the original viper GTS -- of that one of -- it's replacing.

And mean more powerful.

Leiter has a real interior you know and did the viper GTS the one that you've got up on the screen.

That is decked out -- you know nice leather in some creature comforts that -- not really part of the old viper.

And you can still get the hardcore vibrant -- -- -- the standard SRT viper which looks pretty insane.

With those big deals on the -- and everything so I -- the cars is all around terrific.

An interior isn't -- -- -- his leather on the top of the -- at -- cut away there we can actually see the entire interior not just looking through the window of the car.

And it is so far beyond the old -- so far beyond the Corvette for that I -- and I see everything about everything about this car it'd be it looks terrific -- -- every respect yet in the flesh definitely world class and I racing car.

Yet restarts and it's going to be racing in the American Le Mans series as well we don't know what it's gonna cost yet they said it's going to be.

You know to be hundred -- -- just that he's gonna respect where the car comes from.

Was -- 90000 dollar car for your -- for this what some of the options on it well we don't really know much about it though is how new.

It really is no one thing Ralph just did say it has nothing to do with the Mercedes-Benz SL less which is -- rumored girlfriend well.

The one -- I thought I heard him say it mentioned something like you know we're very familiar with this chassis how to -- it -- wonder how much of what we're not -- there.

Is based on that old carcass does -- the same proportions.

Very much like the old -- -- extremely updated version -- do you think.

They've done to that what they've done the other cars and their cries -- let up just take what's there and and enhance it or is this an all new vital for the.

I mean there may be remnants of the old car but from everything that they've said and that you see when you see the car person.

It doesn't look it really doesn't feel to me when you to being around it that it is veto.

Essentially very advanced to refresh.

Here's one thing about this low volume car always was they were lucky to sell close to 2000 a year -- 20000 over fifteen years -- the original car.

You know get very high price -- be about a 100000 dollars should day.

Big.

Lower priced.

-- version the way Corvette has the 50000 dollar grand sport but then you go up to the zero well that's a 1101000 dollars.

-- just said if they did ever do something like that they wouldn't call the viper.

-- you think it makes sense to make this a limited production car or is there an opportunity here for crisis to expand its brand and actually make some money off the vibrant through volume aside.

Think they would be Smart to expand the brand especially with the V8 car you can look at how good the SR TV -- is already imagine that in in a Tuesday in a two seat sports car.

Maybe do it a little different maybe take a different approach than the -- remember we haven't seen.

We've only seen a -- viper maybe the convertible you do as as a as a as a lower there's a lower Echelon cars and to that effect.

I mean if you really wanna build up -- you have to build a portfolio beyond the -- you have it now he knows this you have the three great SR TV eight vehicles the the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger and the -- -- -- Now you have the vipers site.

I mean there's space to do something else and that it needed it for -- -- trying to get accurate -- -- tuning in Britain and neither were -- and I think they also need to do a small car.

You know four cylinder Turbo some insane which apparently is in the -- with the dark sort of see what happens with that the only other car to show that even came close -- this on the -- the scale wasn't exactly a new car.

But what's very cool is the Shelby.

1000.

This is that Ford Mustang to -- Shelby American 950.

Horsepower streak to an 11100.

In racing form.

It's gonna cost about 200000 dollars -- -- by the Shelby GT 500 you have to donor to make is that donor car for this this thing's pretty.

-- you know it I mean I think it's ridiculous in a bad way actually I mean.

Hear what what you have here.

Is you.

By GT 500 which is already a 650 horsepower with a section based on the current GT -- okay that's a far different diva okay anyway so.

Regardless.

A 150000.

Dollars to get a thousand horsepower I mean there are plenty of guys out there I mean if you read the mustang magazines like those dedicated buff books.

-- -- 98900.

Horsepower GT five hundreds or you know if this is not an uncommon thing to pay that much for it just because of the Shelby name.

I just think it's ridiculous and don't give me although it'll be fantastic -- -- -- you can get a corporate jet -- from Ford.

Which is also they're completely sick drag car in the -- I I get.

The the -- yes it's a Shelby gets a thousand horsepower I just think it's -- interesting thing about that.

They not they don't even pitch this as a drag car took to Gary Patterson the test driver and a vice president over Shelby America he said this we didn't design this to be drag car does it track car I mean I have a hard time believing any mustang could put down a thousand horsepower and in -- it and six hundred -- not equipment and.

I've heard stories that the Supersonics are almost impossible to drive Bruno and -- of this is even more extreme -- that meanwhile you have from Ford.

The show that you Shelby GT 500 which is -- 200 mile an hour car which is completely designed to be faster on the track in the old one much faster.

And it's gonna cost the -- Action of this.

Will be interesting to see of his matches up yet against the -- -- -- you respect you too confident we haven't seen them coming out -- -- shows that the withdrew today -- hopefully on the -- -- -- one car.

That we mentioned earlier the shoving and Paula is a big deal for Chevrolet again not very exciting.

Very nice big luxury -- it's -- to be their flagship coming up but what this tells us.

Is that.

We're a completely different car from Chevrolet showrooms next year because -- -- done is as you know this is the Chevrolet NASCAR right now -- -- -- -- there at least the brand name under NASCAR's what they sit together all new car showrooms next year it's also going to be.

The 2013 NASCAR did not say anything about and I tried to screen and I don't markers -- -- said is it that it will be more in tune.

With NASCAR -- the current Pollack is with NASCAR to what do you think are they working on is this gonna be a reboot of the Pontiac G-8.

Sedan and -- got back or something totally have a ballpark media to door cynical lines should -- what do you what do we think of that actually get it.

Next -- I think that it will be is -- database so -- I think it will be -- you'll basically get the come back of that four door -- real drive.

But I sedan without you know probably with a -- -- -- V6 base.

And I hope to god and -- version with -- V8 I mean I want that car back because that to me was.

You might have been my favorite General Motors car that the GXP REIT.

I'm in full agreement with that point you know -- again right now not a lot of excitement -- schools Chevrolet is aren't other very exciting other than the Comerica.

You know even the LTZ sonic is always proven right right right that only refusal possibly images of like especially you know politics not there anymore Buick makes -- cars -- regal GS -- which is their performance car is more like a luxury performance -- there's really no hard -- Sedans -- and if I'm on vacation so I mean you can go up against -- -- Chrysler sedan is the real real drive sedans with with a car like that and I think it would be successful I think you'd be terrific.

It's unfortunate though because that probably the coolest -- came -- last -- actually is at the New York auto show at all it's a concept from Jeep.

That they rolled out out melodic the Easter a Jeep safari it have out there the year in -- -- -- the -- might be FC.

This is maybe the greatest thing.

Chrysler has ever done and if they don't buy even including -- -- in fairness they always do great things for this Easter safari and but this really is fantastic this and the G10 that was unveiled along when it.

Basically what they've done here is taken Jeep Wrangler unlimited -- four -- version stretch of -- couple inches.

And they took the driver's compartment and move that over the engine the FCC and for forward control it's a cab over engine design actually made vehicles that look like this back in the fifties and sixty murder sixties.

And this is -- -- that they put together.

For this event they have out there -- of every year this thing is getting such incredible positive response.

Similar to a couple of years ago when they had the -- pickup truck team.

As a result of that big public conversion -- that you could by the turn your regular to a pick up truck I think we're gonna see the same thing like the -- -- below mordant.

Bigger deal than not just changing of the back and your truck that you think this is -- I -- I wish we Celanese part I wish that that.

I wish that were the case I don't think it'll it'll happen here I think it would be more likely to happen with that G10 in the red the red pickup that was also up there and I think that is more likely to have music event has more -- retro looking yet pickup -- version as you -- as a -- part performance or.

You know -- -- however the other -- are separate.

I was looking through the -- -- catalog the other day and it really is amazing how.

How many parts and having different things that they offer over there you can turn to -- going to bigotry it's an incredibly interfering -- to figure to get an off road camper.

For wranglers it's a great -- -- the campers it's jacked up big wheels pulls out its -- queen size bed inside plus a couch.

These incredible yeah -- I've never -- -- -- the real world would you go by that progress or its its fantastic so I mean.

I hope that they would do one of those retro styled -- because they were just so cool looking -- I'm having a hard time finding fault with anything crisis to at least it's everything seems to be -- -- the crisis 300 last week I love that car full size Americans today and the things great to drive a lot of fun.

Quite -- anything I think it looks good you know it always looked cool now it looks very in the interior -- and which when did you drive.

At the 300 ass with a six cylinder engine and I tell you I was small and turns of the -- out -- -- the -- dressed like -- -- it's -- -- The 300 I drove it -- C with a hammy but I mean terrific car I mean great channeling great looking inside very easy to use.

Infotainment system that touch screen that.

It's got a Garmin I think -- did the GPS design but the rest of it is just so easy to use and the car.

So good looking.

Just a lot of excitement over crises before GM both make great products but I just keep finding myself attracted to what Chris is up to right now and you -- -- the little guy either the one that's.

You know needs to stand up and scream and say hey look at us and as a result they're doing creditors in the dark looks like it's gonna be very successful I mean I -- for the first -- in person last week and I I like -- -- -- person and even you know looking at the photos one more thing nothing to do with the New York auto show them that there might -- what these cars here.

Lotus one of the most legendary names in the automotive industry had a little trouble -- the right now the company which is owned by a Malaysian automaker called proton which used to be owned by the Malaysian government.

As recently so sold to a investment company DVR.

Do your -- -- come I was still trying to figure what to do with the company.

-- one of the things might happen is the Lotus brand might get sold off or may be discontinued altogether I'm sure -- gonna try to sell off.

In the meantime.

The Formula One team called Lotus F one has ended its relationship.

With the auto maker apparently -- was actually -- money to be on the report one car.

But now -- not even branded all of this is owned by completely different company.

Well -- I capital.

As a result -- -- really doesn't know what they're about right now and some crazy stuff happened yesterday -- last couple of days we put -- press release to a sort of address some of the -- -- around about the demise of the company and they picked up the image that somebody had created online taking notice CEO -- -- -- -- him into Baghdad Bob you may remember him you're Saddam Hussein's sort of -- the spokesperson.

In the lead up.

To the Iraq War it's a pretty bizarre thing to do.

And if you -- the -- that goes with it on their FaceBook page.

A lot of people are questioning.

The people over voters have lost their minds -- very Barbara zero in the studio great guy and -- pure people here have to admit they were a little -- settling an as yet there's little they know they're not you know straight laced.

A public relations I'm not surprised they did something like and it.

-- and that was a bit of his -- You know what.

And I know that there's a lot of some people think that this is such a big deal that they went -- -- FaceBook I think it's a bunch of background noise to the larger issues that are going on with -- right now and but I don't think it really makes a difference either way.

But I just a question look at this as we know it.

Will it be here a year from.

I'm guessing probably because I think that that name but I think that I think if anything don't don't find a buyer fort.

The -- Chinese company which seems to be some interest from over there that is what is somewhere else in the world for well let's try it -- -- it wouldn't surprise -- -- -- for Chinese -- come in -- but I I I kind of like the idea that you -- to -- -- here for one thing I think the answer -- -- Lotus is for its compatriots over -- Britain McLaren to by the company and here's why you know the McLaren and before twelve -- super -- we -- this couple weeks ago.

You did.

Both of these companies follow this sort of core value of British sports cars lightweight.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Human probably more than -- build -- -- -- and they put towards the road vehicles you know here you've got two great engineering firms coming together McLaren could -- expensive cars.

-- expects to stick to the very low key.

Trim down cars and sell that market I think this will be beta a match made in heaven and right now there are no British car companies these are the only -- -- who's making it a British and it would make Lewis a British car can be -- it would there'd there'd be a lot of credibility.

Behind -- McLaren on bonus plus -- is -- formula team -- can get back together with its Formula One team you have sort of -- -- team -- to bring -- -- sort of the same way.

That Red -- doesn't to teams they have toros of the rebel I think this is the answer decision that has been -- I don't -- we're doing of course a lot of debt over there on the -- -- it should be declared -- wanna -- But could be pretty cool.

If they did do that left to -- Saga will continue and hopefully be sorted out soon enough hate to lose another card company would lose a lot of carcass like there really -- -- obviously is flailing around on a big fan alone has always had been hope -- stick around some forward.

No you don't solve.

They were unique company more votes still makes you -- cars they have a place in the automotive universe and if they leave something will be lost -- and if you go to New York on -- we can there there cool notices right I mean look how cool ovals cost.

And they are still British -- -- very different very neat very exciting stuff and they are there on the floor.

Of the New -- -- show the -- itself doesn't but he missed it over right now the only candidate doesn't appear -- -- Adam Miller motor cars and it.

I -- seem like it premieres here anyway in any event -- -- still going on this weekend gives you some notices over there but should know that part that's really where you're Wesley.

Housing as consumers are stuck on base in which forgotten by today.

Head on over fox car report dot com for more information for the show and the latest Automotive News and we've got to review of the portion not a little prayer as of their luxury car.

You could see the show we'll see -- -- and here -- car.

Watch Live

Lotus on Its last legs?

Details

Clips

Latest News

Former WH secretary Mike McCurry graduates from seminary

Jodi Arias: Justice delayed or justice denied?

Should the IRS be trusted with Obamacare?

Critics question union influence amid IRS scandal

IRS scandal fueling new calls for flat tax

Unions backing away from ObamaCare?

Government jobs as certain as death and taxes?

IRS outrage: Lois Lerner stays mum, gets paid

American icon honors fallen heroes

Holding down the fort during deployment

Memorable Moment

How does the White House survive its 2nd term scandals?

Transcript

Recommended