More information is now available on the new British supercar recently misidentified in the automotive press as a 2010 Lotus model. A further investigation of registration information on the prototype indicates it belongs to Spectre Cars.
Spectre produces very low volumes and has not marketed a car in several years. The prototype was registered in Milton Keynes, where Spectre’s sister company C2P Automotive is located.
As previously reported, sources say the vehicle’s body is made entirely of carbon fiber. Vehicle registration data based on the prototype’s license plate indicates the vehicle is powered by a 7.0 liter engine.
Our sources assure us the seven-liter engine is not a GM V8 or sourced from any other automaker. Rather, it’s an original creation made specifically for this new car.
Design firm provides clues
A posting on independent automotive design company Motorcity Europe’s website indicates it might be involved with the car. According to the site, the firm has been working since June 2002 on a “top secret” supercar in cooperation with C2P Automotive.
Motorcity was founded by David Hilton, who was responsible for the design of the Ford Focus RS. Hilton’s associate, James Hope, contributed to the design of the new Ford Mustang.
Lotus Engineering involved?
The prototype was registered in Milton Keynes, a location where almost every European automaker does testing. Various evidence suggest Lotus Engineering might be involved in the project.
Lotus Engineering — a Lotus Group subsidiary — often helps other automakers develop cars. That might explain why Lotus papework was seen in one of the cars, and why a prototype was spotted in a Lotus paint booth.
Project Eagle
Last week, a story began circulating that the car in question was the all-new Lotus code-named “Project Eagle.” Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley announced the 2+2 project last month.
While such a project is clearly underway at Lotus, the vehicle photographed several times this year is not that car.
10/05, 5:35 PM
posted by:
carpedia
NOT A LOTUS? BUT MOST DEFINETELY NOT A 911 KILLER (3.6L VS 7.0 LT?)
I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE ENGINE LOTUS WILL USE, MANY TIMES (LIKE WHEN DEVELOPING THE MCLAREN F1), OUTSOURCED POWERFUL ENGINES ARE USED TO TEST OTHER COMPONENTS AS BRAKES, SUSPENSION, STEERING, ELECTRONICS, ETC…
THE CAR MAY OR MAY NOT USE THAT 7LT WHEN GOING INTO PRODUCTION
MAYBE IT IS THE ESPRIT AFTER ALL, LOOK AT THE PROFILE OF THE CAR, IT FITS WITH THE ESPRIT’S DESIGN LANGUAGE
10/05, 5:56 PM
posted by:
Spingood Tanoya
It may not be a Lotus, but it was photographed inside the paint booth at the Lotus factory. (Verified by a friend who just took a Lotus owner’s tour of the factory a couple of months ago.) Of course, Lotus does R&D work for other manufacturers, but this is definitely at the Lotus factory.
10/05, 6:09 PM
posted by:
TOZO
They lie! It’s a definitely a Lotus! I know that Lotus zebra-cover from anywhere!
10/05, 7:22 PM
posted by:
mkM3
Could the engine be a slightly enlarged version of BMW’s 6.8L V12 found in their Rolls Royce cars? Imagine that motor tuned for 650hp or so, now that would be something to listen to.
10/05, 8:35 PM
posted by:
peter g
…Or a Noble? Even though the choise of engine seems somewhat off for a Noble, I know.
10/06, 8:29 AM
posted by:
Piablo
Hmmm… Looks like it will definitely use the 7.0L, the rear tires are huge. I looked all over the internet for British sports car companies, no clue. To me it looks a bit retro with the short vertical rear window. This also looks like a rear/mid engine car.
I thought maybe a new TVR, since it was bought about 3-4 years ago. Have they sold anything since? This just doesn’t look like a TVR though. And if it’s Lotus, since when do they use enormous engines? This would be a huge departure from their current design philosophy.
10/06, 9:44 AM
posted by:
55amg
…spooky
10/06, 10:34 AM
posted by:
jJayC08
Oh yes, and Spectre’s partner, C2P Automotive Ltd, is based in Tilbrook, Milton Keynes. But according to *insiders* this company that this concept belongs to HAS marketed a car before… Spectre’s been in and out of car business, but hasn’t marketed a car.
My strongest feeling is still the Arash AF10. I’m very compelled to say it’s the Lotus Esprit since it looks astonishingly similar to what I’d expect it to look like, with the 7.0 engine just for cover. But why would they have 3 prototypes running around as we speak, and then one with the body covered up? But other than that, I would seriously considered spectre.
10/06, 11:20 AM
posted by:
55amg
i read somewhere, they said the new “eagle” lotus will have a 300 hp toyota 3.0 V6
10/06, 12:09 PM
posted by:
Wickedated
Lotus….. blah.
10/06, 2:23 PM
posted by:
terminator
The design is too boring to be a TVR, but the engine choice fits their personality.
10/06, 2:25 PM
posted by:
terminator
I was gonna say Venturi but they are French. It looks like their stlye of vehicle.
10/06, 7:19 PM
posted by:
loudpedal
How about a next-gen Corvette? Rumors are that it may go mid-engine and GM has contracted engineering services from Lotus in the past.
10/06, 9:13 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Geewhiz Does David Richards ring a bell ….anyone?
10/06, 11:49 PM
posted by:
Sharif
The headlights look like TVR, but something is just telling me that the Acura NSX is back at it again.
10/07, 7:04 AM
posted by:
Mr.Lude
The headlights look like TVR, but something is just telling me that the Acura NSX is back at it again.
Comment by Sharif, posted on October6 at 11:49 pm
My feelings exactly…maybe souped up NSXs’
~ lol.
10/07, 11:49 AM
posted by:
GBilbo070
ITS A MARCOS!!! REASONS, because they havent introduced a new car for 4 years, and the last 1 used an american sourced V8.
10/07, 3:15 PM
posted by:
LuckyLou
It’s a Ferrari crossover SUV, just the bottom half though
10/08, 12:09 PM
posted by:
SRT-4Ken
======>>SUPER LOL LuckyLou…
10/09, 7:43 AM
posted by:
Spook
Someone comments that Spectre have not marketed a car in the past, What about the R42? I’m fairly sure that was marketed under the Spectre brand.
10/09, 9:36 PM
posted by:
Catiadesigner
I believe the balloonist Per Lindstrom was involved in this project many years ago, when I worked for Prodrive there was a lot of chatter about it.
10/09, 10:50 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
David Richards is working with Lotus on something pretty spectacular,
10/10, 1:11 AM
posted by:
Driven
SPECTRE!!! Are you telling me they are back? Someone better call James Bond. I don’t understand how SPECTRE will achieve world domination through making this super car. But I guess that’s why they are the evil masterminds and I am commenting on this article.
I wouldn’t want to the engineer working on this car. Everyone knows SPECTRE does not tolerate failure. If this car isn’t a hit SPECTRE will certainly kill the engineers.
I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight knowing SPECTRE is still out there working away.
10/10, 2:22 AM
posted by:
A4
spectre is such a stupid name
10/10, 6:48 AM
posted by:
Deanster
To the douchebag who said it was definitely Lotus because the photos were taken inside the Lotus factory paint booth – really douchebag? How can you tell, from the generic 4 white walls within EVERY ****ing paint booth in every factory and garage across the planet? Idiot.
10/10, 8:21 AM
posted by:
Spook
So Many Experts……..so much BS……..wouldn’t suprise me if it was project 007!
10/10, 1:13 PM
posted by:
67_L-88
Thank god. I’m all for seven liter engines, but not in a lotus.
10/10, 10:52 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Maybe they should come up with a Phil Spectre (yeah, I know, wrong spelling) special edition. That is, if Phil’s not too stoned to sign his own name. I’m sure it’ll be bloody good.