Spy Shots: 2008 Lotus Esprit
Another mule has been caught lapping the Ring in Germany, and this time it's the forthcoming revival of the lightweight Lotus Esprit supercar. The new Esprit is expected use a BMW V8 for power, and while eight cylinders is no surprise, we have to admit that we enjoyed the old Esprit's identity as the "four-cylinder supercar". Near the end of the Esprit's last run it was fitted with a Lotus-developed, compact twin-turbo 3.5L V8 that developed 350 hp, but it seemed out of place to us in a supercar that made its mark by chasing down more powerful cars with nothing more than a four-banger and a prayer. These days, however, the Lotus Elise is having no trouble filling its older brothers shoes as the company's resident "four-cylinder supercar".
[Source: Inside Line via Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GhostDoggy 11:02AM (6/24/2006)
Now, now, I rather liked the TTV8 Esprit. When I test drove one at Lotus North America in Gwinnett County, Georgia 4-5 years ago, I like the idea of getting out of second gear when the speedometer read 100 MPH!
What I didn't like was the baby-blue lights following me. I see I can now get a 1998-1999 for about $40K. Are the four-bangers really as capable as the experience I mentioned above?
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Eddie 11:43AM (6/24/2006)
This might be a little off topic, but the word "supercar" is being used too loosely today. I would classify this as an exotic, seeing as that it will probebly be under $120,000. I have heard of such cars as a $50,000 corvette and a $90,000 M5 being refered to as "supercar." (a sedan is not a supercar)
I always invisioned a supercar to be over $250,000... a low production, extremely high performance car with 0-60 under 4 seconds, and a top speed of no less than 190mph. (example: CLK GTR, Mclaren, Enzo, MC12 etc)
I didnt intend on invoking any angry thoughts, that was just my two cents. Anyway... nice lotus, it's nice to see they are on top of their game.
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Gil 11:55AM (6/24/2006)
1990 called... they want their design back
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Dubbedinenglish 12:01PM (6/24/2006)
#2
I agree with you that the term "supercar" has been used gernerously now. The price thing I disagree the Ford GT is a supercar, as is the Ariel Atom. The Z06 is not...it is a hi-fi sports car......it lacks the edge of any other supercar. A supercar is not a trim level, nor is it something that is easily mistaken for a normal counterpart (like the Z06 has a mild difference than the standard 'vette). My .02 in a supercar every head will turn when they see you or, stomp the gas, they wont.
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amorak 12:18PM (6/24/2006)
To the idiots upset with the design of the car - READ!
If you'd done so, you'd realize that this is the OLD BODY over THE NEW CHASSIS.
Reading > your life.
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epp_b 12:35PM (6/24/2006)
Still looks just like the old one, and that's the best part about it!
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digitalzombie 1:23PM (6/24/2006)
Hmm... wonder what it will look like? I wish they go for the vette LS7 engine with dry slump configuration (if they wanted a V8). Then again that engine cost too much hehe.
I think the vette is a super car in my opinion hehe. It got a dry slump configuration and it can probably go toe to toe with the TVR Sagaris. It'll probably loose tho... Granted I hate GM. I have to admit they put a lot of technology into the vette.
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RacetrackOwner 1:24PM (6/24/2006)
Has it occurred to anyone at Autoblog that we might be more interested in news about the car, rather than a meandering and pointless "What Lotus Means To Me" mini-essay?
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Sanjan 1:59PM (6/24/2006)
I think supercar really just refers to performance, a zo6 is incredibly quick zero to 60 under 4 seconds is very fast. Same goes for the m5 it can reach 200 mph my taking the limiter off. supercar has nothing to do with price looks and where its built.
u people are to superfical. k thats my rant for today
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Kevin 3:47PM (6/24/2006)
"Although this test mule was spotted on the Nurburgring wearing an older Esprit shell, the odd proportions suggest this is most likely a test mule for the chassis of the new supercar."
Learn to read guys
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Milos 5:11PM (6/24/2006)
does the new chasis means new transmision, cause if i recall one show gear episode, it has, or at least had up to last year a transmision from renault 25, which is out production for like 10 years?
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tecca nina 10:25PM (6/24/2006)
yeah this looks exactly the same...
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Steve 4:13PM (6/26/2006)
What is wrong with a lot of you!!!! as some of the previous have already stated, so I Will Repeat again....
THEY ARE TESTING THE CHASSIS, THIS IS NOT THE BODY THAT WILL BE SOLD, SO WHY COMMENT ABOUT THE BODY SHAPE!!!
As stated before please read, then post.
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Phydeaux 4:00PM (8/04/2006)
Eddie & Dubbedinenglish,
A Z06 is not a trim and is a supercar... a supercar is one that can hit the 186 mph (which is usually super expensive). The Z06 Vette top speed is 198 and has a 0-60 3.7 seconds. (The vette is not a sedan)
I can't wait to see the new Esprit... the Elise got lots of bad press and I wasn't too impressed with it for the price tag.
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