Comments on: Lotus planning new Esprit, 2+2 coupe

By: 55amg

55amg — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:22:22 +0000

id rather have a BMW ///M engine than an Aston engine. Arent Astons unreliable?

By: sinnercitizen

sinnercitizen — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:46:42 +0000

The Toyota engine that comes along with Elise and Exige is nothing short of marvelous. The fact that, here in Europe, it also equips the Celica is truly a laugh. Drove a Celica just last week and two days later drove a Exige. I was thinking snails and lightning as a comparation point… The Celica is like a prima-donna on a stake and fries diet, while the Lotus is like a 100 meter olympic runner. On the basis its the same heart, but the surroundings…

By: jamaicandude

jamaicandude — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 06:09:08 +0000

Sounds good. Hope they manage to pull it off.

By: gtv6

gtv6 — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:15:29 +0000

“especially if carrying another manufacturer’s engine”

If it’s an Aston Martin engine, I wouldn’t worry.

By: Commodore

Commodore — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:43:03 +0000

Too much for a Lotus

By: Italiafan

Italiafan — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:14:57 +0000

I know there is an XKR…that is not what I was referring to.
“…if Jag could fill this void (ie: $140K range) with a light weight super-XK….)…ie: $140K Jag XKR-R with >500hp, aluminum light weight, highly sport tuned suspension, manual tranny, etc…..
I would like Lotus to put together somethng special. I am just concerned that another British manufacturer will die on the vine with poor planning….which they pretty much have done with every single car they ever made…much to my dismay.

By: Aston Martin

Aston Martin — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:02:11 +0000

There is an XKR, Italiafan. But Jag can’t afford making a super-light, Exige-like coupe.

Lotus is a simply fantastic company. An Exige beats any Ferrari for sheer thrill. In a Ferrari, everything is artificial, the car’s rage stifled by an army of electronic overlords. However, in a Lotus, the driver is the sole master of the car. In fact, I very nearly crashed my Exige, proving my driving isn’t really up to scratch for such a hardcore car. A new Esprit should be good for Lotus, especially considering their racing pedigree, which should get them to sell well.

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:57:01 +0000

Most of Lotus’ designs have had an outsourced motor. With all the money the Elise/Exige has brought in, I hope Proton is re-investing in Lotus to pull this off.

By: Italiafan

Italiafan — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:58:34 +0000

I hope they can pull it off, though I am skeptical. The price point seems on target. It had better be gorgeous, especially if carrying another manufacturer’s engine, since it will be judged on looks more than anything.
It would be better if Jag would fill this void with a light weight super-XK…but what are the chances of that?