Product Description
This pictorial history of the famous British automobile marque Lotus traces its story through the seventies and eighties when its reputation was established with such famous models as the Seven, Elite, Elan and Europa, and also looks at Lotus’s new generation of cars, including the four-seater Elite, the S1, S2, S3 Esprit and Esprit Turbo coupes, the fastback front-engined Eclat and the latest Lotus Sport 300…. More >>
Lotus Heritage
The Buddhist Lotus Symbol
In Buddhism the lotus flower is one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teachings and is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. The lotus flower has a strong pleasant odor and is the only water dwelling plant to regularly rise eight to twelve inches above the surface. This flower has inspired many people through out many cultures, it is small, yet strong, carring deep rooted symbolism. The Lotus is Buddhism’s best recognized motif it is used in all kinds of Buddhist art across all Buddhist cultures. Scrolling lotuses often embellish Buddhist textiles, ceramics and architecture. They can also be found as part of the many symbols, where the number of pedals is of great importance. The growth pattern of a lotus flower signify the progress of the soul. The roots of a lotus flower grow from the primeval mud of materialism, the stem then grows up through the waters of experience, where it lies pristinely above the water, and basks in the bright sunshine of enlightenment. According to scholars, “in esoteric Buddhism, the heart of the being is like an unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha develop therein, the lotus blossoms; that is why the Buddha sits on a lotus bloom.” Almost every important Buddhist deity can be associated in some way with the lotus, either being seated upon a lotus in full bloom or holding one in their hands. Some images of standing Buddhas will go as far as to have each foot rests on a separate lotus. Finally the color of the lotus is as important to the symbolism associated with it. The white Lotus represents a state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity. It is associated with the White Tara who will proclaim her perfect nature, a quality which is reinforced by the color of her body. Pink is the supreme lotus, mostly reserved for the highest deity. Naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself. Red signifies the original nature and purity of the heart. It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. The blue Lotus is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. It is the preferred flower of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.
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History of Sports Cars and Why is it Desired by Many
Sports Car may be defined as a car with a sporty look, meaning an automobile which is short in height as compared to other cars to the extent that it almost touches the ground, having a powerful engine and light weight. A typical sports car has two seats, two doors, rear-wheel drive and with high speed. It is in fact a speedy car that needs to be handled quite efficiently and accurately. There are a number of popular companies that manufacture a perfect sports car like Ferrari, BMW’s mid-sized sports car, Porsche, Lotus etc. However a sports car consists of a light-weight powerful engine with ultra modern suspension and a firm chassis due to these features the sports car that is light weight performs more accurately as compared to heavy sports cars. Initially the cars were just considered an important mode of transport for carrying people and goods from one place to the other, and were manufactured to provide its core utility of transporting the people with comfort. Later on these cars soon became a craze amongst the people and a great fascination to drive it with speed and race, apart from its basic usefulness. This was the new era to welcome the sports cars. The trend of sports car started after the Second World War when a new class of sports car was introduced. Initially a very expensive luxury car meant only for the rich and the famous personalities was seen on race tracks are now available with road functionalities and with reasonable pricing structure. There were just a few cars in the historical phase but now these cars are easily obtainable to a normal individual. Enzo Ferrari was the first person design the sports car, in 1929. Then he was followed by many other car designers who started a new age of Sports Car. Ferrari’s entire unit used advanced technologies and modifications and emerged out in the whole world to create a history by manufacturing the Formula One Racing Car, which is an obsession now and will remain in future. The most eligible and fantastic drivers for formula one are Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascari, who promoted the Ferrari Sports Car to success. Then came the F430 became quite popular due to its performance and affordable pricing structure, after which Superamerica became the most desired of all the Sports Cars. Any individual is first attracted by outer looks and then by its performance, same applies for cars too, so the designers and the manufacturers with a lot of hardwork and efforts introduced a car for racing against its competitors, this further triggered the development of cars for the next generation. It was a great risk to manufacture a speedy car with powerful engine with advanced technologies to improve its speed performance. Highly powerful engine with great speed was fixed into the light weight body of the car which was a great risk to the drivers as it needed to be handled most efficiently. Then came the thought for its safety where the designers worked hard and adopted certain modifications to set limitations on the speed and things like emergency brakes and suspension restrictions were added. However with the advanced technologies and great techniques a perfect sports car was ready on tracks. Day-by-day the possession for Sports Car has become a rising trend in the market. It may be due to one or all of the following reasons to drive a person to posses a Sports Car. – Its Fabulous Looks: The trendiest design of the Sports Car may e one of the reasons that more and more buyers are going crazy for it. – Functionality: Functionality and the car performance should be the most vital aspect to be considered while purchasing a Sports model. Sports Car is designed to give the best performance with regards to speed. Thus the experience a driver gets while driving a Sports Car is beyond words. – Pleasure and Thrill: Driving a Sports Car is an amazing feeling as it gives you immense pleasure and the thrill you are craving for. The fun while racing a Sports Car is just incomparable with racing any other car. – Status Symbol: Possessing a Sports Car often gives you an image of a high class status symbol, as it looks more of a luxury item than an automobile for transport. You seem to look like an adventurous personality who likes to explore new things. – Depreciation Value: Any car when purchased decreases in its value with increasing time period but surprisingly for Sports Car this is completely opposite, the value of the Sports Car increases with increasing time period! In simple words owning a sports car reflects the car owner’s personality and also shows how adventurous and trendy you are.
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