Lotus reveals 2012 car with stepped nose

Lotus has become the fourth formula one team to reveal a 2012 car design with a controversial ‘stepped’ front nose design.

The former Renault team’s black and gold E20 was launched on the internet on Sunday from its headquarters at Enstone.

Nose aside, another point of interest on the E20 is the disappearance of last year’s innovative front-exiting exhausts.

“Our forward exhausts would now be illegal under the new rules and didn’t live up to our expectations in any case,” said technical director James Allison.

A second E20 is already at Jerez for the opening test of the pre-season.

Chairman Gerard Lopez, however, said the car is not likely to return the world championships to the former title-winning Renault and Benetton team.

“In 2012 we want to finish in fourth position or higher in the championship.  Beyond that our aspirations are higher,” he said.

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