New Lotus Esprit Info...

NetViper

NetViper

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The next Lotus Esprit is tipped to use one of Autocar’s favourite engines of recent years: BMW’s firecracker V8 from the recently departed M5 saloon (right).

Senior-placed sources have confirmed that Hethel is considering the 4.9-litre lump from the outgoing E39 5-series. Lotus had previously been linked with Toyota, following the deal to supply the Celica engine for the latest Elise 111R.

In BMW’s application, the V8 developed 400bhp and 369lb ft of torque. Lotus is considering a forced induction system to raise outputs further and has proven experience from turbocharging the previous Esprit.

Following the classic supercar formula, the V8 will be mounted longitudinally amidships in the Esprit’s extruded aluminium chassis, driving the rear wheels. The car’s modern, wedgy shape was first revealed in our scoop on 3 February.

The current Esprit ceased production this spring and its successor – tipped to carry a different name – will be launched in 2006. Priced at around £75,000, it will rival supercars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari 360 Modena and Lamborghini Gallardo.
 
I read that the car will cost more than 120k$ (too much for a Lotus :p) and this should be the concept:

Autocar_Feb04_01.gif



I do not like it...
 
wow, i would have thought lotus would be resting on their laurels after the smash success of the elise

the espirit has been dying for a long time, hopefully this will put the lotus name back where it should be.
 
As it happens, I saw a black Gallardo this evening parked in front of a house in an unlikely part of the city. If someone hadn't said the sketch above was a Lotus I would have guessed it to be an early drawing of the Lambo for sure. It was a quiet street so I parked my black NSX next to it and walked around them. I confess, the Lambo looks very nice, and as much as I like the lines of the NSX it looked a bit like a Fiero sitting there. I’m not a huge fan of that general styling theme, but the little Lambo really does it well, at least for me. I could do without the yellow interior panels.

This one has Missouri plates but had a plaque on the back from Prestige Motors in Florida.
 
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