Esprit Spy Shots: Lotus "Supercar", a.k.a. the Esprit replacement


The Lotus Esprit is a sports car built by Lotus Cars from 1976 to 2004 at their Hethel, England factory. It has a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Together with the Lotus Elise / Exige, it is one of Lotus' most long-lived models.

Zafiro

Supreme Roadmaster
This spy shot just came in from Brenda Priddy and her horde of photogs. They know it's a Lotus and claim it shows what has been identified internally as "THE Supercar". We do know that Lotus showed off its future product to employees about a month ago, and from that it's been learned that the Jaguar XKR's supercharged V8 producing 420 horsepower will be the engine used in this car. Since we also know the upcoming Esprit replacement is the only Lotus slated to get a V8, well, you do the math...

After inspecting the photo, however, we can't deny that whatever's underneath that sheet must bear a resemblance to the Tesla Roadster. Where the cover wraps tightly around the body revealing some of its shape we can see a fender and rear 3/4 panel that's very similar to the all-electric roadster that's been developed in conjunction with Lotus. The length of this cloaked supercar, however, appears too long and its wheels don't match what we've seen on Tesla Roadsters before. Clearly, though, it's a mid-engine high-performance car of some sort, and we can't wait to find out exactly what.

[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]

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Thanks J_M.

Lotus, instead of piddling around with the Europa, should've rather diverted funding into the new Esprit replacement. The world needs Lotus to have a supercar again. Preferably one that's more affordable than the regular gaggle (methinks 911 / R8 pricing) but with the performance of the upper echelon which Lotus is so capable of producing.
 
Please excuse my total ignorance. Is Lotus totally independent? ....I see it is going to use a Jaguar (cough cough Ford) engine. Sounds like crap already.
 
^^Hmmm ...so they were actually reliable then.

I'm in an odd mood today Andreas ...I could type anything! ...I think I have mania.
 
Please excuse my total ignorance. Is Lotus totally independent? ....I see it is going to use a Jaguar (cough cough Ford) engine. Sounds like crap already.

But Jaguar of all companies? There are so many good V8s out there to use.
 
But Jaguar of all companies? There are so many good V8s out there to use.
Yes, that is what I was thinking ....maybe it is a cost issue :t-hands: Jaguar was probably desperate for something to do ....considering nobody actually buys their cars anymore.
 
Not long ago it was talk about a V8 engine from BMW ( I think it was a modified engine from 550i).
 
Hey Wunderkind .....congratulations on your first post! ....and welcome to the forum.
 
Speculations: New Lotus Esprit to Borrow BMW’s V8 Engine


It has been almost four years since Lotus ended the production of the Esprit V8, and reports of its successor are in the air yet again. Earlier rumours claimed that Lotus was planning to release the new Esprit this year, but now it appears that it’s being pushed to 2010.

Spy photographers have caught various test mules for quite some time now, and from what we can see, the forthcoming car is indeed growing up well. In terms of design, nothing much is visible although we know it’s targeted to compete with supercars such as the Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

Latest report from Autocar suggests that the new Esprit will be powered by BMW’s V8 engine. This sounds promising enough, for we know BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer recently said that the Munich-based automaker has intention to sell its engine technologies to other companies. The most likely candidate for the power-train here would be the 4.4 liter V8 in the BMW X6, possibly tuned up to produce over 500bhp. The car will built between 1000 and 2000 units in the company’s home base Hethel in Britain.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080216.003/speculations-new-lotus-esprit-to-borrow-bmws-v8-engine
 
Speculations: New Lotus Esprit to Borrow BMW’s V8 Engine


It has been almost four years since Lotus ended the production of the Esprit V8, and reports of its successor are in the air yet again. Earlier rumours claimed that Lotus was planning to release the new Esprit this year, but now it appears that it’s being pushed to 2010.

Spy photographers have caught various test mules for quite some time now, and from what we can see, the forthcoming car is indeed growing up well. In terms of design, nothing much is visible although we know it’s targeted to compete with supercars such as the Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

Latest report from Autocar suggests that the new Esprit will be powered by BMW’s V8 engine. This sounds promising enough, for we know BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer recently said that the Munich-based automaker has intention to sell its engine technologies to other companies. The most likely candidate for the power-train here would be the 4.4 liter V8 in the BMW X6, possibly tuned up to produce over 500bhp. The car will built between 1000 and 2000 units in the company’s home base Hethel in Britain.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080216.003/speculations-new-lotus-esprit-to-borrow-bmws-v8-engine

Wouldn't it make more sense to use the M3's engine? Most of the engines BMW let other makers use are from the ///M divisions.
 

Lotus

Lotus Group (also known as Lotus Cars, and doing business as Lotus NYO in China) is a British multinational automotive manufacturer of luxury sports cars and electric lifestyle vehicles. Founded in 1948 by Colin Chapman (1928-1982), it is owned by Chinese multinational Geely.
Official website: Lotus Cars

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