Spy Shots: 2009 Lotus Esprit will be wicked, and this way it comes
The Lotus Esprit, a car severely missed by a huge number of auto fans, is slated after numerous delays to return from the dead in 2009, perhaps at the Geneva Motor Show. Until then, the Dutch seem to be first in getting details on and spy shots of this most English of cars. Last year it was said that Esprit would have a "much more compact" footprint than than the Gallardo or F430, have an aluminum or composite skin, and be produced at a rate of 2,500 per year. The latest info is that the engine will be a 4.8-liter V8 from BMW producing in excess of 400 bhp -- possibly with the help of some forced breathing apparatus. This time around, there will be a convertible version to go with the coupe, and word is that the car will sell for 70,000 British pounds. Whenever it arrives, it will find there aren't many chairs left in the affordable sports car arena, what with every month bringing a new entrant. Still, we only have two words for the new Esprit: bring it. For more spy shots of the zebra-striped car testing in Holland, go here.
The Stroopwafels are on us next time, Sam!
[Source: Autogespot]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
biggins 4:46PM (7/20/2007)
something just happened in my pants when i saw this.... now there's white, gooey stuff everywhere.
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Don 7:56PM (7/22/2007)
Disgusting bodily functions aside...I heart the Esprit.
Dan 4:58PM (7/20/2007)
looks like a gallardo.. i guess that is a good thing but they should differentiate it more. also, the price seems a bit steep, considering it 70k pounds isn't much less than a real gallardo
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Turbofrog 6:38PM (7/20/2007)
A lightweight Lotus supercar with 400+ hp will be as good as a real Gallardo.
Max Merak 12:57AM (7/21/2007)
The damn thing's covered up. Let's get past the "It looks like."
Rocket Punch 5:16PM (7/20/2007)
70k GBP will put it smack in the R8 territory, price wise.
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JC3 5:20PM (7/20/2007)
They need to put it in tha next Bond film as a tribute to the Esprit in "The Spy Who Loved Me."
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Sam 5:25PM (7/20/2007)
*offtopic*
Frank Filipponio knows how good the stroops are!
*ontopic*
I can't wait to see it @ the Nurburgring testing!
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Lucas 7:41PM (7/20/2007)
these pictures are older than dirt
..and word is it is NOT the "Esprit."
Lucas
1994 Esprit S4
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Nick 7:50PM (7/20/2007)
many people will be greatly anticipating this cars return, me being one of them. Lotuses are just all around great cars to me. It's going to be beautifil i have not doubt.
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Mr Different 11:57PM (7/20/2007)
That's not what it's gonna look like though. Similar but it'll be different. I heard that that car in the camo is a different body than what it's going to be, the working parts are true esprit though.
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Moss 10:02PM (7/23/2007)
These are old pics. It is just like reruns of your favorite TV show.
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ebm14 12:33PM (7/21/2007)
I was just going to say that this should be the next real Bond car, unless Aston Martin has something really cool up its sleeve.
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Nellydesign 9:02AM (7/23/2007)
Can we please have a link to the view posted as a thumbnail showing only the rear wheel? WTF AB? The link pics are all old but there's obviously a new pic we can't see, since you have a portion of it in the post.
And that old rear shot looks A LOT like the Bugatti.
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