Lotus has revealed first images of a special edition Lotus Evora S that will be auctioned next Monday evening (5 September) to raise money for the Freddie Mercury HIV AIDS charity.
More new Lotus for Frankfurt Motor Show
The Mercury Phoenix Trust was set up by Freddie Mercury’s Queen bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor, and Queen manager Jim Beach. The bespoke Lotus Evora S is one of the star lots in the auction for the charity, which is being held on Freddie Mercury’s 65th birthday.
The Lotus Design team has created the one-off pearl white Evora, which boasts a standout red and gold centre stripe. This is apparently inspired by the costume Freddie Mercury wore for the 1986 ‘Magic tour’, says Lotus.
Lotus also reveals it carries ‘silver on white iconography’ – and the front wing ‘references the Montreux Freddie memorial statue with the line “Lover of life, Singer of songs” taken from the statue’s inscription’.
Inside, there is a one-off yellow interior that again is said to be inspired by Freddie’s 1986 stage costume. There is a union flag on the back of the seats and a yellow-highlighted Freddie Mercury signature inscription on the dash.
Lotus also says (ready for this?) ‘the sound system, or more specifically the RADIO, will send the lucky owner GA GA’. Quite.
To say the special edition Freddie Mercury Lotus Evora S is yet another leftfield diversion for Lotus is putting it mildly. Brian May is one person pleased the firm has created the bespoke Lotus, though: ‘Our friends at Lotus have donated a stunning Evora S for our auction which I know will be a massive fund-raiser for the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
‘We cannot thank them enough for their generous support on what is a very special occasion for everyone who knew and loved Freddie.’
Gino Roasto is director of corporate operations at Lotus, and added: ‘We were only too happy to contribute to this fantastic cause.
‘We have created something very special to raise money for Mercury Phoenix Trust and we hope the car goes to a collector who really enjoys it.’
The special ‘Freddie For A Day’ website carries full details of the auction. What, though, do you make of Lotus’ latest intriguing move?
