In May, Lotus officially confirmed it would build a new mid-engined car for the 2008 or 2009 model year. While the car will occupy the sector vacated by the Lotus Esprit that finished production in 2004 (pictured), the automaker has tried to downplay rumors that the new vehicle would revive the Esprit nameplate. However, Lotus boss Mike Kimberley told the U.K.’s PistonHeads in a recent interview that the car will use the name. The interviewer noted that “the PR man cringed” and reminded Mr. Kimberley that what he meant to say was “the mid-engined sports car.”
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08/04, 10:51 AM
posted by:
G
As well Lotus should. The Esprit is a legend (especially the original 4 cylinder models). Ever since The Spy Who Love Me, the car has been mid-engined sportscar icon.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
08/04, 11:13 AM
posted by:
Adam
Esprit is probably the best looking car Lotus has built. Much better than that Exige and Elise.
08/04, 11:13 AM
posted by:
Jon
OOOO…can’t wait!
Jon.
08/04, 11:29 AM
posted by:
SR
Always loved that car.
08/04, 11:50 AM
posted by:
BAMF
“The interviewer noted that “the PR man cringed” and reminded Mr. Kimberley that what he meant to say was “the mid-engined sports car.”"
hahaha well oops
08/04, 12:08 PM
posted by:
MKBruin
They have the chassis, they have the suspensions, now they need to re-invent some in-house motors. Bring back the TT 4 bangers that can match or top the competitors!!!!
I’m still waiting for someone to drop the esprit turbo4 into an elise…
08/04, 12:17 PM
posted by:
grimarian
Hey, is somebody smart or what?
A good idea though
08/04, 12:23 PM
posted by:
Esprit Fan
I MISS my V8 twin turbo Esprit. The sound of the engine alone was AWESOME!!!! Can’t wait till they build a new one! Hopefully it will be faster and handle better than the old one.
08/04, 12:37 PM
posted by:
al
HELL YEA!!! i cant wait any longer I WANT TO SEE THIS BABY!!
08/04, 1:26 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
For some reason I never liked Lotus. Its car always seemed kind of “boxy”.
08/04, 1:47 PM
posted by:
MKBruin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Esprit
It looks “boxy” as it was a gradual and tasteful evolution of the original design… same as the 911.
I still love the 92+ esprit, especially the S4.
The updates in the last year or two of production were great.
08/04, 2:59 PM
posted by:
Mike
Look! Lotus is owned by slitty eyed Malaysians (Proton) who probably support islam terrorists with the profits
08/04, 3:59 PM
posted by:
MKBruin
^^^ this asshat is the reason I changed my screen name. ^^^
Not all malaysians are islamo-facist extremists. I would never call anyone by a racist slur. And without proof, I would not accuse a company of supporting terrorism.
08/04, 4:27 PM
posted by:
Jon
How about a drop-dead gorgeous car that goes 300 mph and handles like an F1 car called “Enticing� LOL.
Jon.
08/04, 4:30 PM
posted by:
MKTrojan
Enticing is a crap car name, I prefer Entrapment
08/04, 4:34 PM
posted by:
MKTrojan
Enemal, Egregious, Excema Edna Eurythmia Excrete Endemic Echidna Endoplasm Ectoplasm Ectopic Endocrine Embollism Ebola
Take your pick Lotus and send the royalty checks to….
08/04, 5:08 PM
posted by:
MKTrojan
Endorphin
08/04, 5:16 PM
posted by:
Jon
Entrapment is the name of the next-gen Expedition…after all, it IS a deathtrap.
Jon.
08/04, 5:17 PM
posted by:
Jon
Hahahaha: the Lotus Ebola.
Jon.
08/04, 5:18 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Think what they could achieve with a fresh design and some of the new technology that’s out there.
08/04, 6:07 PM
posted by:
Sean
Lotus Explorer, Lotus Expedition, Lotus Escape Lotus Erection Lotus Eject Lotus Emetic Lotus Encino Lotus Ejaculate
08/04, 9:44 PM
posted by:
GM number1-4ever
Licky licky licky. That is all there is to it! Licky! Go GM Go!
08/04, 11:35 PM
posted by:
amanda
What a pity that Lotus build quality is so bad that it makes a Korean car look good. And all that crap about how they wouldn’t put in electric windows “in order to save weight for performance”. Yeah I bet wind-up windows really cuts the 0-60 time by a couple of nanoseconds….bull****.
08/05, 7:34 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
What’s the matter, Al? Truth hurts, doesn’t it?
08/05, 10:41 AM
posted by:
fasturbater
1) what the hell does GM have to do with this car?
2) There’s no such thing as terrorists, only brainwashed Americans.
3) It’s about time Lotus got to working on a new Esprit. I’ve always loved this car, its looks, performance, and the sound of the 3.5 model is intoxicating. I wouldn’t be surprised however if Lotus were to use boosted versions of the Cosworth/Mazda 2.3 crate engine. They already put out 260hp out of 2.3l NA, with a Lotus-fan-boy friendly 9000rpm redline. Besides, Lotus and Cosworth are almost synonymous in my book, having spent the better part of their F1 history combining topnotch chassis and engine technology. Lotus, do it!
08/07, 11:29 AM
posted by:
jay
Mike, that was the most dumbass comment I’ve heard today. You define it.
Haha funny names starting with E for Lotus.