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Lotus’s reborn Esprit gets V10 power | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express
A legendary Lotus is returning – it’s the new Esprit! The dust has only just settled on the stunning Evora, but already the Norfolk firm is setting its sights even higher. And our exclusive pictures show how the reborn supercar will take shape.
The new mid-engined model revives a badge that was used on the original Lotus flagship between 1976 and 2004. And with a choice of six, eight and 10-cylinder powerplants, it will take the fight to the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo, as well as Audi’s storming R8 V10.
Lotus’s special relationship with Toyota has been well documented – the Japanese manufacturer already supplies engines for the Elise, Exige and 2-Eleven, plus the Evora. Our sources have revealed that the partnership will step up a gear for the Esprit. Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, will be called on to provide a pair of high-power engines.
The entry-level Esprit will be equipped with a tuned version of the Evora’s 3.5-litre V6, producing around 300bhp, while a mid-range model gets the 414bhp 5.0-litre V8 from the Lexus IS F. But taking the new Lotus into the big league will be the earth-shattering 550bhp 4.8-litre V10 from the upcoming LF-A supercar.
Mated to a six-speed semi-automatic paddleshift transmission, this unit should provide the Esprit with performance to match some of the fastest cars on the planet.
A 0-60mph sprint time of less than four seconds is expected, and judging by pre-production testing of the LF-A (see Issue 1,066), the car is likely to hit a top speed in excess of 200mph.
Underpinning the model will be a wider and longer version of the Evora’s rear-wheel-drive platform. This should ensure the handling is worthy of the Esprit name. The wedge-like profile clearly takes cues from Giorgetto Giugiaro’s 1976 design – a car made famous by 1977’s James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me.
But a combination of creases and curves is used to provide the modern-day Esprit with a muscular and aggressive stance on the road. Inside, the newcomer will build on the style of the Evora’s leather-clad cabin – so it’s expected to be the most luxurious interior Lotus has ever designed, a must if the car is to tempt customers away from more established supercar manufacturers.
Prices are likely to start from around £75,000 for the entry-level car, and rise to £150,000 for the V10. We’ll have to wait until at least 2012 for the Esprit’s official debut, though. Lotus won’t embark on final development until the Evora is making a consistent profit. But by adding the new car to the line-up, total production at the firm’s Hethel plant could reach 4,000-5,000 models annually.
Devilish looking! And interesting line up of engines too!
Nice alloys, and specs. The rear lights prove its a Lotus car at a glance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AyAn!
(Post 1420015)
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Super cool it is. wish they bring it out real quick. it'll end up being the best in handling considering its a lotus.
Whoaa...this i Like!
Brilliant! The old beast from Lotus is back, it looks in some ways like a Lambo Gallardo and some other Lambo concepts.
Interesting.
Back in 2004 there was a thread on Team-BHP with some concept renderings for the "upcomming
2006 lotus Esprit".
Comments at the time were "OMG, what a gallardo rip-off"
I see that its still going along the same lines :D
Heres the thread :
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern....html#post6004
cya
R
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rehaan
(Post 1425696)
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Oh my God! atleast this ESPRIT is only a look alike. The 2006 concept is just a Gallardo with a Lotus Badge on it!
One of my all time favourite cars returning to production. Why can't they make it amphibious?stupid:
This is nice, I really would like to see this make it to the production line!! I remember walking by one everyday as I went to school..one of my all time fav's!
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