Lotus is preparing to wow the Paris Auto Show. The company has already announced two new special edition Evoras for the show, but this is not the only surprise Lotus has for Paris. We will not only be seeing these two special editions, but we will also see the new Esprit (which we knew about already) and a new generation Seven. And there’s more; Lotus will also be debuting two groundbreaking hybrids. The only downfall to this avalanche of Lotus models is that none of them will be going on sale until at least a year and a half after the fall show.
The new Seven will be a heavier and more comfort-oriented front-engine, rear-drive, open-topped car. The big news is that this new model will be built in Spain and will be priced at around $100k.
As for the new Esprit, you already know everything there is to know about it. There will be a turbocharged, mid-engine V8 engine and an extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum.
Another big surprise will be the two hybrid models coming in the form of a four-door hatchback in Porsche Panamera style and a two-door coupe, which could be further developed as a convertible at a later date. The only thing known at the moment is that both of them will be based on the Evora 414E hybrid concept.
Back in 1975, the world witnessed a few landmark incidents including the founding of Microsoft, the introduction of disposable razors, and – we actually don’t know how this classifies as a ‘landmark incident’ – the birth of one David Beckham. Oh, and by the way, the very first Lotus Esprit was officially launched.
Today, David Beckham is a household name, the disposable razor is a household necessity, and, well, every household in the world seems to have a computer with Microsoft software on it. And, yeah, today – or at least at the Paris Motor Show this year – the new Lotus Esprit will be making its official launch.
You’re probably wondering why we’re making all these references to 1975 and 2011? To be honest, we don’t know either, but Lotus seems to think that going back in time would be a cute way to promote the Esprit’s up-coming release. We’re certainly not arguing with their motives or intentions, but if the new Esprit is indeed one of the four new vehicles Lotus is planning on bringing to Paris in September – and all signs are certainly pointing to that – then we’ll definitely see whether the new Esprit will live up to the ‘iconic’ label Lotus gave to the very first model that was released back in 1975.
Press Release after the jump.
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Lotus has announced some very good and eyebrow-raising news today: the 2010 Paris Auto Show will mark "The dawn of a new era!" In exactly 100 days starting today the company will "unveil the future evolution of an iconic British brand."
Since the new Esprit is a car that has been a long time coming, we can only hope that the Esprit is exactly what Lotus is talking about with that tagline! And if it is then the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Audi R8 V10 better watch out!
A while ago, a Lotus insider said the next Esprit would be "the ultimate expression of the brand." We also have to remind you that there were rumors stating that the new Esprit would get the same 4.8 Liter V10 from the Lexus LF-A supercar producing 550 HP. There are also rumors saying the entry level will be powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 from the Evora that produces 300 HP. In any case, the next Esprit will sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in about 4 seconds and will be capable of a top speed of around 200 MPH.
Press release after the jump.
Full story
After months of "to be or not to be" it’s finally official: the Lotus Esprit will indeed have a successor. Lotus seven year product plan key reveal that the new Esprit will be revealed in 2012, but will carry a different name.
The company is aiming at a power-to-weight ratio of between 275bhp and 325bhp per tonne, meaning that the future Esprit will can easily compete with most of the German sports cars.
According to a Lotus insider the next Esprit will be "the ultimate expression of the brand." It will be a third model tier with the four-cylinder Elise/ Exige and Europa as the first tier and the Evora V6 as the second tier.
Also the same insider reveal that the Evora’s Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) can be adapted to create almost any type of vehicle, from a sports car to an SUV.
The upcoming Lotus Evora will surely be one of the English automaker’s greatest products of the company’s recent history. The Evora better enjoy the limelight while it lasts, because in 2012 the legendary light weight sports car builder will be bringing back a legend: the Esprit. The mid engine sports car was a huge success from 1976 thru 2004; and the next generation model should not be any different, competing head to head with models like the future Ferrari F450, Lamborghini Gallardo and the Audi R8 V10.
The new Lotus Esprit will get be powered by a range of engines: the entry level version will get the same 3.5 Liter V6 making 300 HP from the Evora, the next rung on the ladder will be a 414 HP 5.0 Liter V8 from the factory hot rod Lexus IS-F, but the big news surrounds the top of the line Esprit, powered by the same engine as the Lexus LF-A super car, a 4.8 Liter V10 making 550 HP. No matter which power plant you choose, they will all be mated to six-speed semi-automatic paddle shift transmissions.
The lightweight nature of any Lotus, combined with the awesome power of an endurance racing super car will ensure that when it finally does arrive, that the next generation Esprit will be a world class sports car. Only fitting of such a high performance machine is that it will sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in than 4 seconds, while hitting a top speed of around 200 MPH should not be difficult.
