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Report: Lotus gives production go-ahead to Esprit supercar

11/12/2009, 10:39 AM

By Drew Johnson

Following a lengthy decision process, Lotus has reportedly green lighted a replacement to the company’s famed Esprit model. The Esprit went out of production in 2004 but could be back on the roads early next decade.

A replacement for the Esprit has been rumored for several months now, but a downtrodden global economy prevented the car from moving from the drawing board to production. However, with the economic outlook improving, Lotus has finally given the production nod to the Esprit, according to Autocar.

Set to slot above the Evora in the Lotus lineup, a Lotus insider described the next Esprit as an “essential brand image builder” and a “high-status purchase”. Expect a hefty price premium over the Evora, with the six-figure range not out of the question for the Esprit.

No technical details about the next-generation Esprit were revealed, but it is believed that the Lotus supercar could use a version of the 4.8L V10 recently launched in the Lexus LFA. Lotus and Toyota have been engine partners for several years, with all current Lotus products powered by Toyota powerplants.

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11/12, 10:51 AM

posted by:

DenverGuy217

The Esprit was like the Carrie Prejean of sports cars. Nice looking on the outside even with a few fake add-ons attached to the body, but a bit full of crap on the inside. But boy could it make itself scream!

11/12, 10:51 AM

posted by:

beatusmongous

2nd best news I’ll here today.

The best will be the gender of my upcoming child.

11/12, 11:02 AM

posted by:

JakeK66

Congrats beatus!!!!

I hope it doesn’t stray too far from the original Espirit.

11/12, 11:03 AM

posted by:

JakeK66

And yes, I said Espirit, because Esprit is too hard for most people to say.

11/12, 11:07 AM

posted by:

shaver

Great news indeed. One of my favorite childhood dream cars being revived.

11/12, 11:16 AM

posted by:

05Z88Path

The Esprit is such a good looking car…it has that timeless classic sports car look that I think Lotus will have a hard time improving upon. I’m definitely interested in seeing their outcome!

11/12, 11:19 AM

posted by:

excrement_between_my_toes

I absolutely love the look of that lotus Esprit in the picture. That design has a timeless modern look. I’m surprised I don’t see that many of them on the road, almost none. They were expensive, but still much more affordable than a Ferrari. They cost about the same as a new Acura NSX, yet the NSX I see alot on the roads. NSX is a great car, but this Esprit is such a looker, and looks so exotic. An alot faster than an NSX.

11/12, 11:21 AM

posted by:

leftwingagenda

lfa engine? lotus? wow….

‘grats beatus…i don’t mean to butt into your personal life, but leftwing does make a great name…just a suggestion…

11/12, 11:25 AM

posted by:

LS7

LFA is already considered one of the best handling cars… Lotus is known for their handling.. not sure where they are going with this.

I guess they can make a mid-engine variant…

Since Lexus put some focus on luxury, maybe Lotus can look at a sub-3,000lb car.

Heck, I wouldn’t mind seeing a 2,800lb car with a “lowly” ISF 5.0L V8 motor, if it means keeping the prices down… 414HP, 2800lb? Oh yeah…….

11/12, 12:04 PM

posted by:

928dreamer

Lexus is a luxury car maker who made a pretty darn fast GT. But I would expect a Lotus to be very light. Lighter than the Evora. That is what Lotus does. They make fabulous handling cars that are as light as possible. Luxury be damned.
I love the saying that Lotus “Adds Lightness” to its cars.

So, a true Lotus with the LFA engine should be fantastic. That has been my only need with modern Loti is their engine choices. This should be a winner.

11/12, 12:26 PM

posted by:

aesir

Denver: well put! If I had a “cheers” smiley I would use it right now!

11/12, 12:52 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

beatus… awesome! As long as it has 10 fingers and 10 toes and knows how to use a clutch that’s pretty much all you can ask for.

And speaking of things paternal, my dad had an Esprit once. I think it was a ‘79. He let me drive it… once. I don’t think he appreciated the smell of brake that early in the morning.

11/12, 2:14 PM

posted by:

johngalt

Congratulations, beatus. January 12 (10 months ago) was the best day of my life. I used to be early to work, leave late. Now, I wait until the last minute to leave the house and hurry home at the end of the day to see my son as much as I can. I’ll smoke another cigar for you.

The bad news for me is that I named my son “Panamera.” Porsche has been harrassing me since spring.

11/12, 2:38 PM

posted by:

Ring-Taxi

Lexus has made it clear that they don’t source their hot engines to other makes, there’s no way this Lotus will get a Lexus engine. Maybe a modified, force-fed medium-sized Toyota engine.

11/12, 2:53 PM

posted by:

928dreamer

The LFA engine is the only Hot engine Lexus has. If the Esprit is given some warmed over Toyota mill this car will not get anywhere close to its potential, and will definitly not be a Supercar.

If Toyota and Lexus are unwilling to share the LFA engine, Lotus needs to seriously shop around for a new engine supplier.

11/12, 3:05 PM

posted by:

EMINEM

LLN,
Now this is actually news.

11/12, 3:15 PM

posted by:

aesir

The Esprit isn’t going to be in the $400,000 price range that the LFA is in. I’m not really sure who the LFA is trying to compete with… A properly tuned V8 or force fed V6 would be fine for the Esprit.

11/12, 3:25 PM

posted by:

scratchy

i hope one day Lotus will develop their own engines again.

11/12, 3:46 PM

posted by:

spg900

Jake…say “S” and “PRE” (as in pre-kindergarten).

11/12, 4:39 PM

posted by:

beatusmongous

For all those that want to know, IT’S GOING TO BE A BOY!

And his first Halloween costume will probably be The Stig. Or something like that.

11/12, 4:40 PM

posted by:

beatusmongous

Oh, and this is my third. I already have two girls, the oldest of which already loves racing.

11/12, 6:01 PM

posted by:

reedfast

i wish lotus would use another make, they could make way faster cars if they didn’t have to use a camry v6

11/12, 6:25 PM

posted by:

928dreamer

Congratulations Beatus, having the other gender from what you are already used to dealing with is a whole new ballgame.
LOL. I’m going to have to remember the Stig as a Halloween costume idea.

@aesir
I was thinking that using the LFA engine would allow Lexus to recoup costs of engine development. The engine has been designed and built. The most expensive elements. Producing a few more engines could be done without extravagent expense.
You also mention that the car would do fine with a properly tuned V8 or force fed V6. The issue is that Toyota doesn’t design or make high performance engines. So Lotus is left trying to get a Vanilla V6 to do something it was never designed to do. The LFA engine was born with performance in mind. I really hope they don’t end up using the Avalon V6 again. I will be so disappointed. It would be like finding out Megan Fox is a guy in drag stuffing his shirt with kleenex.

11/12, 7:26 PM

posted by:

Borat

Beatus, congratulations! The good news that you having a boy, the bad news even if you manage to save coins for new Esprit, little rascal will be stealing it from you to go dates and ruin interior. Congratulations again.

11/12, 8:31 PM

posted by:

nickkop

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

11/13, 9:03 AM

posted by:

zeegone

I always loved the classic wedge look of the Esprit- too bad the engines, while quick, were terribly unreliable. I think teaming up with Toyota was one of the smartest decisions they could have done to save the brand. All the small Lotus smart cars are awesome handlers with bullet proof engines. Bring on the Esprit! Hopefully the Lexus V10 rumor will be true

11/13, 12:34 PM

posted by:

darkwingduck

YEAH!!!! Dear Santa,
This year I would like a red Fire Truck, a cup and ball, PS3, and the LOTUS ESPRIT!!!!! oh and a n2010 Mustang GT500 to please… lol

11/13, 1:33 PM

posted by:

Stix

The Esprit was like a childhood dream/favorite to me.

Just hearing this piece of news is just pure sex to my mind and ears! :)

 
 
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