Lotus's technical director Nick Chester says the team's 2015 Formula One car will feature significant changes compared to the current E22, which has underwhelmed and left the team struggling for points in 2014.
Lotus have endured reliability and performance issues with the Renault-powered E22, and the Enstone-based squad have only broken into the top ten on two occasions - in Spain and Monaco - over the opening 14 Grands Prix of the season.
"There are rule changes to the front of the chassis and the nose, so all the cars will look different next year," Chester said of next year's car, the power unit supplier of which has yet to be announced.
"On top of that, our engine installation and cooling layout will change quite a lot meaning that the car will be significantly different under the bodywork. It will be quite different."
Pastor Maldonado, who joined the team ahead of the 2014 campaign, said he has been encouraged by early signs of progress with next year's car.
"I am confident we can finish the season off in a good way which will give us some great momentum for the new season in 2015," he said.
"From what I see and learn the 2015 car looks like being a very good package. There is a lot to look forward to for sure.
"Obviously it has been a difficult year but the important thing is that we are still united as a team and emerge stronger. The team at Enstone are more determined than ever to succeed and I can say 100 percent that I have the same outlook."
Lotus chairman Gerard Lopez told Formula1.com in a recent interview that he is confident fixes will be made ahead of the 2015 season, saying that a "design mistake" had contributed to the team's plight this year.
Lotus lie eighth in the 2014 constructors' championship with eight points - six ahead of Marussia and 19 behind Toro Rosso. At this stage in 2013 they were fourth overall, and had claimed one victory and 11 podiums over the season’s first 14 races.
(source: f1.com)
