Future Volvos May Get Lotus Treatment

Volvo Car Corp. is considering how best to tap into the engineering expertise of Group Lotus for future models.

That option became available last week when Volvo’s owner, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., agreed to buy 49% of Malaysian carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd. Geely also is buying 51% of Lotus from Proton, which acquired the iconic British carmaker in 1996.

Lotus’ help “would be appreciated,” Roger Wallgren, principal engineer of vehicle dynamics for the Volvo XC60 crossover/SUV, tells Drive. Noting Lotus’ strong engineering reputation, Wallgren says Volvo could potentially apply such technology throughout its lineup.

Volvo’s Polestar performance unit is a likely candidate for Lotus-tuned systems such as uprated suspensions, Wallgren suggests.