Tyc 20-9027-00 Headlight on 2040-parts.com

Lotus's glimmer of hope: Proton stands by Hethel

After another painful year of sales for Lotus in the UK – down 58% on 2011 - Norfolk's beleagured sports car brand has kicked off the New Year with the grand unveiling of its new flagship Malaysian showroom, and the thumbs-up from senior Proton company suits that Lotus isn't on its last legs. The announcement comes in the same week Lotus’s sales figures were released for 2012. Showing a substantial 58% decrease in sales and selling just 137 vehicles, Lotus Cars was the worst performer in the UK with a woeful 0.01% share of the market.  Are Lotus's Malaysian owners sticking by the company?

Lotus Exige S Roadster at 2012 Geneva motor show

Here’s the new Lotus Exige S Roadster, unveiled on the eve of the 2012 Geneva motor show. With a sub-four second sprint to the 60mph mark, it’s Hethel’s quickest soft top ever; we've already seen the Lotus Exige S in coupe guise, but this is the open-top Roadster variant. A hefty 3.5-litre V6 engine lies behind the cockpit which, says Lotus, has received the benefits of its racing technology.

Renault Twin’Run takes on Renault 5 Turbo & Clio V6 (video)

Renault Twin’Run takes on the Renault 5 Turbo and Clio V6 It’s only a couple of days since the Renault Twin’Run Concept sprang in to life, complete with V6 Turbo powering the back wheels and looking for all the world like a spiritual successor to mad Renault’s from times gone by – like the R5 Turbo and Clio V6. And it seems that’s a point Renault want to make very clear as they appear to be about to launch a short ‘Adventure’ film starring the Twin’Run, R5 and Clio out playing, just so we all know what the Twin’Run’s heritage is. But this is Renault – and they’re French, you know – so instead of recruiting a trio of boy racers to pilot the three hot hatches they’ve enlisted the skills of a trio of beautiful women.