Lotus presents D.N.A. x DNA: Heritage meets possibility at London Design Festival

London, UK – September 15 – Lotus announces D.N.A. x DNA, an immersive exhibition opening at the Lotus Mayfair showroom as part of London Design Festival 2025, where Lotus serves as the festival’s official automotive partner. The showcase explores how the brand’s pioneering design and engineering philosophy, Digital, Natural, Analogue (D.N.A.), has shaped generations of groundbreaking innovations and continues to define the future of performance: Digital – representing the immersive, intelligent, and intuitive experience. Natural – bringing to life emotional, connected, human-centric design. Analogue – Lotus’ continuous advancement of performance engineering. Seamlessly blending together these core design principles with the latest design and engineering innovations, as well as cutting-edge technologies, enables Lotus to simplify and enhance a car’s experience and performance – making it feel like a car you wear. “This is an important moment for Lotus today. It’s a powerful reminder to everyone of our rich heritage – the design and engineering breakthroughs that have shaped the automotive world and beyond. And its proof that we are still that same pioneering brand. Lotus will always innovate, always push boundaries, and always lead the way,” said Ben Payne, Chief Creative Officer, Lotus Group. The activation opens a dialogue between heritage and possibility, bringing together experimental materials, prototypes, and projects from Lotus’ archives that embody the brand’s relentless innovation, culminating in a raw encounter with the award-winning Lotus Theory 1. Visitors will have the opportunity to see on display: Lotus Eleven A lightweight icon of motorsport, the Lotus Eleven revolutionised racing in 1956, with its advanced aerodynamics and lightweight aluminium body. Its record-breaking success at Monza and multiple Le Mans class wins cemented Lotus’ reputation for performance through engineering ingenuity. Lotus Type 88B A radical car in Formula 1 at the time. The Type 88B was the first to feature carbon fibre monocoque chassis in 1981, as well as introduced the twin-chassis concept, separating aerodynamic downforce from suspension. Though banned from racing as other teams refused to race against the car, it remains a symbol of Lotus’ fearless pursuit of disruptive ideas in performance engineering, safety and handling. Lotus Structure Isolation and Dynamics (SID) Prototype The SID prototype was a revolutionary experimental research vehicle that combined active and passive suspension technologies to explore advanced vehicle dynamics. Key features included advanced suspension system, dynamic performance and handling, active rear steering, comprehensive data acquisition, and modular suspension mounting. It was the first time that a full understanding of the driver subjective (feel) vs objective (data) could be understood, measured and developed for vehicle dynamics and handling by engineers. The technologies and methodologies developed influenced subsequent Lotus models and contributed to key advancements in the automotive industry. Lotus Theory 1 The award-winning design study that encapsulates the Lotus ethos for the future. Theory 1 fuses digital intelligence, natural human-centric design, and analogue performance precision, delivering an experience that is immersive, intuitive, and emotionally engaging. Through Lotus Engineering, the brand’s world-class innovation hub supporting Lotus and customers globally, the exhibition reveals how the Lotus design philosophy transcends the automotive industry, highlighting its global impact. This includes the iconic Lotus Type 108, from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Breaking world records and winning the gold medal ridden by Chris Boardman, the Lotus Type 108 applied the company’s motorsport expertise in aerodynamics, composites and advanced manufacturing methods. Lotus Engineering developed an aerofoil frame design, to deliver a forward force in a cross wind or when the bike was ridden on an oval velodrome, to reduce drag and increase speed. It marked a significant leap forward in bicycle design, and setting the stage for future aerodynamic innovations in the sport. D.N.A x DNA Exhibition DetailsLotus Mayfair, 73 Piccadilly, London W1J 8HS 13-20 September Free Admission For more information, please visit: https://www.lotuscars.com/en-GB/ldf2025 ENDS Note to Editors Further information on Lotus Eleven Lotus Eleven’s success at the Monza track in 1956 was marked by a number of record-breaking achievements by Mac Fraser, where he successfully broke existing records for the 1100cc class: 50 km Record: 135 mph (217 km/h). Fastest Lap: 143 mph (230 km/h). One-Hour Record: 137.5 mph (221 km/h). Further background on Lotus Structure Isolation and Dynamics (SID) Prototype The SID project served as a groundbreaking platform for technologies that continue to shape modern performance vehicles. This includes: A lightweight glass fibre and Nomex honeycomb chassis, which was a stiff yet featherweight structure that provided the perfect foundation for testing radical new suspension systems. Computer-controlled active suspension, powered by electro-hydraulic actuators capable of adjusting in microseconds. This system allowed the car to adapt instantly to road conditions, offering unmatched comfort and precision. It could seamlessly balance high-speed stability with low-speed manoeuvrability, effectively controlling roll stiffness in real time. A research hub for new technologies that would define future automotive engineering, including drive-by-wire steering, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and experimental tire designs. Engineers could directly modify suspension parameters from a laptop – a remarkable and revolutionary concept at the time. Further background on Lotus Engineering Through Lotus Engineering, the company’s world-class innovation hub and consultancy service, Lotus has consistently challenged convention and redefined what’s possible in design and technology. From its origins in motorsport to today’s digital solutions and new approaches to manufacturing, Lotus Engineering has grown into a global leader whose expertise extends far beyond the car industry. Its work in materials, sustainability, aerodynamics, and digital engineering has shaped products and techniques worldwide. About Lotus Lotus is a global luxury technology brand built on solid foundations and a rich heritage. Since the formation of Lotus in 1948, it has been pioneering true innovation, introducing cutting-edge technologies and designs to meet its uncompromising vision of how a car should look, perform and feel. It is made up of a high-performance sports car operations unit, Lotus Cars, and a leading luxury mobility provider, Lotus Technology. Together, we are setting a new standard for automotive excellence.

Volkswagen celebrates the comeback of ‘Fire & Ice’ with a special model and a song by Purple Disco Machine

The new dance floor hit by DJ and music producer Purple Disco Machine and Jake Shears about the Volkswagen ‘Fire & Ice’ special model has been streamed more than a million times in just a few days Stunts reloaded: action-packed music video with the legendary Golf 2 Fire & Ice and the new ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice The ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice reinterprets the legendary Golf Fire & Ice special model from the 1990s in collaboration with BOGNER FIRE+ICE Wolfsburg – Volkswagen is bringing back the music and pop culture of the 1990s with its new all-electric ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice special model. With spectacular stunts and breathtaking landscape shots, Willy Bogner’s ski film ‘Fire and Ice’ (1986) quickly achieved cult status in the 1980s. The legendary Golf 2 Fire & Ice (1990), inspired by the film, had a lasting impact on the Zeitgeist. The film and the car have retained their cult status to this day. Volkswagen is now continuing this success story in musical form: with ‘Fire + Ice’, internationally acclaimed DJ Purple Disco Machine reinterprets the film’s iconic theme song and, together with Jake Shears, brings a fresh sound to the nostalgic success story. The protagonists of the action-packed music video are the Golf 2 Fire & Ice and its all-electric successor, the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice1. “Volkswagen has always been an integral part of mainstream culture – and it is precisely this lifestyle that we want to bring back into the spotlight,” says Christine Wolburg, Chief Brand Officer of Volkswagen. “Our mission as a brand is to be anchored at the heart of society, and to play an active role in shaping the pop culture of tomorrow. With the new all-electric ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice and the collaboration with BOGNER FIRE+ICE and Purple Disco Machine, we are bringing together the topics of cars, fashion and music in a unique way. In this way, we are not only creating an emotionally charged product, but also giving the entire brand a new appeal.” The titular theme song of the cult ski film ‘Fire and Ice’ was recorded by US singer Marietta Waters and was produced by Harold Faltermeyer. With ‘Fire + Ice’, Purple Disco Machine has reinterpreted the song in a way that pays homage to the original while bringing it right up to date. With Jake Shears, the DJ has enlisted one of the most glamorous falsetto voices in modern music for the production. The singer of the band Scissor Sisters is considered a queer pop icon and encapsulates the spirit of euphoria and liberation that characterizes this song. The music video also bridges the past and the future, featuring the Golf 2 Fire & Ice and its all-electric successor, the new Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice special model. Inspired by the film and the legendary modern classic car, the vehicular protagonists pursue their drive for freedom and spectacular experiences. Legendary stunts from the past make an impressive comeback with the ID.3 GTX – re-imagined in a modern setting. About the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice and its predecessorJust one year after the world premiere of the show car, Volkswagen is presenting the limited special edition of the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice: with an extremely dynamic drive, exclusive paintwork and many design highlights. The model was developed in collaboration with the performance sportswear brand BOGNER FIRE+ICE, part of the Munich-based luxury sports fashion company BOGNER. As an homage to the year the original model was released, only 1990 units of the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice are available. With the Fire & Ice special model in 1990, Volkswagen presented an exclusive version of the Golf 2 that was both sporty and comfortable. The design was created in collaboration with entrepreneur, fashion designer and film director Willy Bogner. With its extravagant appearance – a dark violet pearl-effect paint finish, alloy wheels, front spoiler and wider body – and powerful engine with up to 160 hp, the Golf Fire & Ice quickly became a sought-after rarity. About Purple Disco MachineTino Piontek, who goes by the stage name Purple Disco Machine, is an internationally successful DJ and music producer from Dresden. As a big fan of the Volkswagen brand, he drives a model from the Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer himself. Musically, Purple Disco Machine is inspired by the sounds of the 1980s. His distinctive sound combines retro vibes with modern beats, creating a unique style that is visually highlighted by vintage elements. He was awarded a Grammy for his remix of Lizzo’s ‘About Damn Time’ in 2023. He has also received numerous gold and multi-platinum awards worldwide. With more than two billion streams and current hits such as ‘Substitution’, ‘Honey Boy’ and ‘Beat of Your Heart’, his third studio album ‘Paradise’ has secured his status as one of the world’s leading producers. You can find more information here: Purple Disco Machine 1) ID.3 GTX Performance Fire & Ice 240 kW – combined energy consumption 16.7–14.9 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ class A