Earlier this year, Lotus officially announced plans to build a successor to the Esprit supercar, which will serve as the company’s future flagship towards the end of the decade. Today, the automaker announced it also has plans for two other new models. These include a new mid-range Lotus set for launch in December 2008 and a Lotus/Proton high-performance model, due in May 2008. Additionally, Lotus gave a firm timeframe for the new Esprit, which it says will be unveiled in December 2009. Previously, Lotus had planned to launch the car a year earlier.
Lotus says it decided to delay the launch of the Esprit to incorporate more Lotus “DNA” and other enhancements to “meet the changing needs of the global marketplace.”
Proton previously indicated it was working with Lotus on a low-cost vehicle that would cost somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000 U.S. dollars. Lotus was also said to be collaborating on the now-cancelled Volkswagen GX3.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer, Group Lotus said: “We are very pleased to have secured LGIL Board approval for a high-level five-year strategic business plan - the first such approved plan that this company has had in the last six years. We have some great opportunities ahead of us and some already under way. It’s a very bright future but we have to work hard to bring all the opportunities to fruition.”
The current Lotus model range includes the award-winning and class-leading Elise and Exige with the recently-introduced Europa S. Development work on two of the three new models is already
ongoing and will increase significantly in future months.
In August, rumors surfaced that Lotus might begin re-engineering cars from other automakers as it did as many as forty years ago with the Ford Lotus Cortina, Talbot Lotus Sunbeam and Vauxhall Lotus Carlton.
Lotus is responsible for much of the engineering work on the recently-introduced Tesla electric roadster.
09/20, 12:20 PM
posted by:
Renton
I hope they sell the whole Lotus line in the US.
09/20, 12:38 PM
posted by:
anonymous
it’s about damn time
09/20, 12:43 PM
posted by:
JC Whitless
Will you be able to get the nautical edition?
You know, with the surface to air missles and twin screws?
09/20, 1:15 PM
posted by:
anti_analog
*crossing fingers for GX3 or similar model*
09/20, 1:35 PM
posted by:
Renton
“Do try to bring it back in one piece this time 007.”
09/20, 1:36 PM
posted by:
James
JC, mine dropper and oil slick blinder too.
09/20, 1:41 PM
posted by:
novicius
It would be nice if the price for new Elises could come down a bit since as it stands now, pricing out a new one puts you in Corvette territory. I understand, completely different feel and mission statement and all that — yet it’s hard to argue in favor for the Elise in the face of the LS2.
09/20, 2:13 PM
posted by:
Stuart
Why make a model with proton????. use a betteer brand like Mercedes, BMW or someone hell even Jaguar
09/20, 2:32 PM
posted by:
mikeneri
Because Lotus is owned by Proton. Do a little research.
09/20, 2:41 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
He didn’t know. Give ‘em a break, will ya?
09/20, 2:57 PM
posted by:
Hal
Something to do with Proton owning Lotus I think
09/20, 2:57 PM
posted by:
Hal
oops - beat me to it
09/20, 3:05 PM
posted by:
Fatstrat
This Esprit still looks good to me.
09/20, 7:35 PM
posted by:
bacalao
unveiled in 2009!!???? are you kiddig?? i love lotus and i cant wait to see the new esprit
09/20, 10:52 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Novicious, Lotus sells an Elise in the UK built with the Toyota 1ZZ engine, delivering 140 HP. This is the model I wish they would bring to the US. Price and performance would target the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster
09/21, 4:59 AM
posted by:
amanda
Sorry, these cars are crap. Build quality is abysmal.
09/21, 1:42 PM
posted by:
Saud
Finally some daily drivers.
09/21, 6:37 PM
posted by:
ekogutpl
finally geez took them long enough