Donato Coco, Lotus' New Director of Design

The Lotus Group announced yesterday the appointment of Donato Coco, former Director of Design and Development for Ferrari, as the company's new Director of Design. He will take full charge of Lotus Cars' and Engineering's design issues on January 4, 2010, while the current Director of Design, Russell Carr, will keep working on both Lotus products and third party design work.

“The appointment of Donato Coco as the new Director of Design for Lotus puts even more prominence on design within Lotus and strengthens the already talented team," Dany Bahar, Lotus Group CEO said in a release.

"We have a very busy few years ahead of us as we are working on a new strategic business plan which will include the introduction of an all new range of Lotus cars and expansion of our third party design work.”

“Lotus has a reputation for designing evocative sportscars and it is a great honour to take on these responsibilities and challenges. Russell Carr and the rest of the Lotus Design team have already elevated Lotus Design to a globally recognised level and the increase in our third party design work for clients around the world is proof of our capabilities," the new design boss added.

"I am looking forward to building on these foundations to deliver beautiful and relevant Lotus cars designs whilst at the same time acknowledging the peerless heritage and core values of this wonderful British brand.”

Those interested in Coco's work may remember his work from the Ferrari F430 Scuderia coupé and Spider 16M, Ferrari California, 599XX and the F458 Italia.