Lotus reportedly gives the go-ahead to Esprit replacement
We have liftoff on the next Lotus Esprit. Finally. Scuttlebutt at the beginning of the year suggested it was taking so long because Lotus was pondering some sort of hybrid system for the car. More recently the talk has turned to three specimens from Toyota's book of engines, including the Lexus LFA's V10, and the word "hybrid" disappeared.
It's the V10 that interests us here, because Lotus is planning for the new Esprit -- or whatever it will ultimately be called -- to have 275-325 bhp per ton. Even if they keep it freakishly lightweight you're looking at a minimum of 400 horsepower, something Lexus' Yamaha-tuned lump could easily handle. We'll get the full picture in a few weeks when new Lotus CEO Danny Bahr unveils his long-term plan for the company.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dracon_425 10:34AM (11/12/2009)
i think LF-A V10 is ideal engine for Lotus.
Hybrid is too heavy.
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Temple 11:51AM (11/12/2009)
+1 to the LF-A engine idea.
According to Toyota, the 552hp 4.8L V-10 is smaller and lighter then their V-6 engine (page 8 of the Press Release Technical Presentation).
The same 2GR-FE V6 engine that is in the Lotus Evora. Which means that the LF-A engine should be lighter then 356lbs (the service weight of the 3.5L V6)
The 4.8L V-10 LF-A engine would do Colin Chapman proud...
JDM Life 12:20PM (11/12/2009)
The LF-A is just prue win.
Tim 8:42PM (11/12/2009)
Hey Ramsey and Autoblog, the Lotus CEO is Dany Bahar.
Fact checking, heard of it?
akboss302 10:35AM (11/12/2009)
If it looks anything like that photo, bring it on! That's awesome. I wish more manufacturers would take the Lotus philosophy of lighter weight = better performance.
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zamafir 11:33AM (11/12/2009)
they do, pretty much everyone. from the new ford fiesta (cheap, fun, frugal, lighter than the previous model) all the way up to cars like the R8 V10 (40lbs heavier than the V8) and various other models. Most aren't as extreme as lotus is all, or go crazy in the opposite direction (Most BMW models these days, etc).
larry raines 10:38AM (11/12/2009)
Gotta hand it to Lotus, although they have had a wide variety of styling, all of them look like a Lotus somehow. And this is no different, looks like a Lotus.
Need to see more pics but seems like it could be pretty cool. It has some big shoes to fill, that Esprit was so hugely iconic - not easy to pull off that same image these days with so many supercars out there.
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Lucas 10:40AM (11/12/2009)
I'm all about light weight, but crappy sparse interiors do not sell $100K+ cars to wealthy middle-aged men. Bring on the leh-tha!
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JimBob 10:46AM (11/12/2009)
Shut up old man - Let Lotus remain Lotus!
Rich 10:47AM (11/12/2009)
The royal limousines were originally built with cloth in the rear, leather up front. It's a wipe clean surface, you see?
Lucas 11:02AM (11/12/2009)
@JimBob... mediocre build quality, noisy, track toys with poor sales and horrible depreciation? I don't think they need any help from me!
PS, I own one!
Lucas.
Aloysius Vampa 10:41AM (11/12/2009)
I thought I read somewhere that it was going to use BMW's TT V8 from the X[56]M.
Either way...
I want one.
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JDM Life 10:46AM (11/12/2009)
That Lexus engine is a master piece.....
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Doug A. 10:47AM (11/12/2009)
They should go the LSx route. Cheap, plenty of power in a small package, and really not that heavy...
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rooster 11:04AM (11/12/2009)
For the entire Lotus lineup, ditch the Toyota engines, and I'll consider it. Using the same I4 or V6 as the Camry in the next lane just loses significant amounts of desirability. The V10 from the LFA would be less common, but loses the "any toyota mechanic can work on it" benefits. Look to Jag, Fiat/Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, etc.
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Phil Perman 1:45PM (11/12/2009)
If you think thats bad, you should try a Caterham. You would get that feeling when you pull up next to a Rover 200, or if you get a higher end model, a Ford! Phwar!
Really if you dislike Lotus because they're using Toyota engines then your priorities are a bit out of whack
rooster 7:25AM (11/13/2009)
Perhaps, but I can actually afford to buy one, so my wacked up priorities are influencing their bottom line. Bought a Cayman instead.
CaptPugwash 9:24AM (11/13/2009)
Sorry Rooster I agree with Phil. A Lotus is about so much more than just the engine.
Anway why would you buy a Cayman, to quote Clarkson all it says is you couldn't afford a 911 the real Porsche, or is that the only real VW.
rooster 9:46AM (11/14/2009)
Because, quite frankly, the 911 has a big butt.
Francis 11:06AM (11/12/2009)
I'm gonna start harvesting organs again. That car won't pay for itself.
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