Spy Shots: 2009 Lotus Esprit
Hans Lehmann's photogs claim to have snapped the first full prototype of the new Lotus Esprit - known inside Lotus as the "MSC" (for mid-engined supercar). With the production version not scheduled to debut until late 2008, it's unlikely that there is much to be learned from the transformer-like bodywork in the photos, but the fact that there's a functional prototype, presumably embodying the Esprit's all-new aluminum structure and the basic suspension and drivetrain elements, at least indicates that the highly publicized project is on schedule.That's good news for Lotus, as the new Esprit platform is expected to be the foundation for other models, likely including a smaller 6-cylinder sportscar. The Esprit is intended to be Lotus' performance flagship, going head-to-head with Ferrari's F430, and is expected to have a powerplant equal to the task, rumored to be a 4.8-liter BMW-sourced V8.
Follow the link for more photos.
[Source: WorldCarFans.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RDL 1:31PM (10/10/2006)
Not liking it one bit...
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2012 Mustang 2:23PM (10/10/2006)
That car is so heavily camouflaged that there's no way to see what the final model will look like. I'm surprised how well of a job Lotus is doing keeping this thing under wraps. Alot of other manufacturers would have had the thing on the nurburgring with so little camo you could tell exactly what the car will look like.
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Taylor Alexander 1:48PM (10/10/2006)
I saw the other spy shots... My brain still can't wrap itself around what it looks like under that camo... I'm hoping the front end doesn't actually look like that though...
-Taylor
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Pork Rind 2:44PM (10/10/2006)
That's the past version of the Esprit under all that junk. Apparantly it's been stretched 4 inches to fit the new motor and the other cladding covers stuff that doesn't necessarily fit under the old bodywork.
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cars pictures 3:48PM (10/10/2006)
#1 try http://www.worldcarfans.com
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Kris 10:26AM (10/11/2006)
To me the blue car looks like a tesla electric car.
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Green Lotus Elise 6:46PM (10/10/2006)
Can't wait to see the actual body design, hopefully once the Esprit goes back into production folks will stop asking if my Elise is an Esprit.
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