Autoblog

With its 60th anniversary rolling around the corner, Lotus isn't about to coast down the straightaway. After years of relying on Elise derivatives – including the Exige, 2-Eleven and Europa – the world-renowned gurus of handling are preparing two completely new models: the Eagle – a new 2+2 GT – and the return of the Esprit – the hardcore, Ferrari-battling supercar.

After seeing numerous spy shots of the former, a test mule for the latter has emerged, giving us a glimpse at how the top-of-the-line Lotus is shaping up. The Esprit's design is tipped to be quite different from other Lotus models. But while the platform will be distinct from that of the compact Elise, Lotus' new Variable Vehicle Architecture will be malleable for future applications as well... although, with such a diverse sportscar range zooming over the horizon, we wonder what else Lotus has got in store.

Sources claim power for the new Esprit will come from BMW – not an in-house engine like the previous Esprit, nor a Toyota engine like those found in the current models, and not an Audi engine like that one-off. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from Bavaria is tipped to be tuned to 500hp for the Esprit, which will be ready to take on the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 when it hits the market at the end of next year.

[Source: EVO]

Click above to watch the video

Some people just can't be satisfied. As if the Lotus Esprit weren't still one of the hottest-handling cars on the market, back in 1996 the British sportscar firm updated the iconic Bondmobile with an all-new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 to give it more of a fighting chance of showing up cars like the Ferrari 355 and Porsche 911 Turbo. Not enough for one enthusiast on the Motorgeek.com forum going by the name of "hilly", who apparently just wasn't satisfied with the engine in his '81 Esprit S3. So he yanked it out and painstakingly swapped in the all-aluminum 4.2-liter V8 from the Audi A8. Although the Esprit's engine bay could accommodate the engine, turning it around and squeezing it in there was no mean feat, requiring the project's undertaker to custom fabricate a slew of parts himself. Follow the link to the forum where hilly describes the process with pictures, or follow the jump to watch the Audi-powered Lotus disappear fast into the horizon.

[Source: Motorgeek.com via CarScoop]

click above image to enlarge

This spy shot just came in from Brenda Priddy and her horde of photogs. They know it's a Lotus and claim it shows what has been identified internally as "THE Supercar". We do know that Lotus showed off its future product to employees about a month ago, and from that it's been learned that the Jaguar XKR's supercharged V8 producing 420 horsepower will be the engine used in this car. Since we also know the upcoming Esprit replacement is the only Lotus slated to get a V8, well, you do the math...

After inspecting the photo, however, we can't deny that whatever's underneath that sheet must bear a resemblance to the Tesla Roadster. Where the cover wraps tightly around the body revealing some of its shape we can see a fender and rear 3/4 panel that's very similar to the all-electric roadster that's been developed in conjunction with Lotus. The length of this cloaked supercar, however, appears too long and its wheels don't match what we've seen on Tesla Roadsters before. Clearly, though, it's a mid-engine high-performance car of some sort, and we can't wait to find out exactly what.

[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Large high-res gallery of all of the Lotus models available by clicking above

This week in LA, veteran Lotus development engineer Roger Becker told the assembled press about the changes we'll see in the Elise and Exige for 2008. He also talked a bit about some of the changes happening at the factory and even gave us some info about new models in the company's future.

The biggest recent news for Lotus was that the Elise SC and Exige S were given an optional power boost via a Magnuson-developed supercharger that raises horsepower from 190 to 218 or 240 depending on the application. Other changes were made to all 2008 model year cars in the lineup.

Aside from upgraded brakes and a few other tweaks, the biggest changes came inside, where a new security system has been installed that for the first time ever allows a single key for Lotus owners. As a nod to American driving habits, TPMS and a new information display were also added, because as Becker put it, we aren't too aware of when a tire is going down and need to have it pointed out. That line was delivered without missing a beat and expertly showed a typically dry British sense of humor. Funny guy. Follow the jump for individual model news and to hear more about the upcoming Eagle and Esprit replacement too!

[Source: Lotus]

Yes, we know it looks like the Esprit. Please don't bombard us with comments about how it looks like the old Esprit. It really is the new GT from Lotus, known for now as the Eagle. It's wearing Esprit body panels, so yes, we know it looks like the old Esprit. Based on a heavily revised Elise structure and powered by a Toyota V6 plunked down in the middle of the chassis and kicking out 300 hp, the coupe will cost about $100,000 (£48,000). Even though Lotus isn't fond of them, the transmission will be a paddle-shift automated manual. Lotus cites market desires for the about-face on the transmission. The Eagle will spawn several different models, including a convertible and a replacement for the reviled Europa. When they're done, the Eagle won't look like the Esprit. Instead, the bodywork will more closely follow the M250. Cramming four seats into a mid-engined chassis takes some cleverness, and who's more clever than Lotus?

[Source: Autocar]

Lotus has plans: the Elise is going to get a detuned Exige engine (220 BHP without an intercooler), a new Exige SR model will feature launch and traction control systems, California series Elise and Exige models are in the pipeline for the boulevard cruising crowd, and Lotus is also going to inject some luxury into the Europa.

But the big news -- which isn't the Esprit -- is the Lotus Eagle, which will be "a mid-engined four-seater" made of aluminum for the luxury lifestyle set. Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley said there will be seven (count 'em, seven) versions of the car, and in a crow-eating first for Lotus, the car will have paddle shifters. Lotus had previously sworn never to include them on a car, citing purity of the driving experience. But what does the market care for driving purity? (Insert maniacal laugh here.) The Eagle arrives at the end of 2008.

The much anticipated, exceedingly long-awaited Lotus Esprit was sent back for reworking by Kimberley, who said it didn't have enough Lotus heritage in it. In Lotus fashion, the car isn't trying to break any records by being a sub-200 MPH conveyance, but it will be powered by "a very high brand-image engine" and performance will be "exceptional" and "very usable." Lotus: stop dallying -- let's have it.

[Source: Channel 4]

It was only natural. A bunch of autopundits picks up on reports of a camouflaged vehicle with supercar intent ripping around the English countryside, and we automatically think "Lotus." Wrong. The story isn't so black and white. The car itself is a Spectre, and it was spotted with Lotus paperwork in it at one point, adding to the speculation that it could be "Project Eagle," the recently announced Lotus 2+2. What's more likely is that C2P Automotive, Spectre's sister company, was hiring some help in from Lotus Engineering. The 7-liter engine is also reportedly not a GM unit, but rather a new bespoke powerplant. So, we're no closer to seeing any new blossoms at Lotus, but at least there's something cool to look at in the meantime.

[Source: LLN]

Last August, we brought you the story we dubbed Inspirational Vehicle: Mark's 7, in which a group of enthusiasts and forum members rallied together to complete an RX-7 build for one of their friends stricken with ALS whose condition prevented him from seeing his project through to its completion. If you missed it the first time around, check it out here. It's a great story of friends helping another friend. Sadly, we must also report that Mark, the man all those good folks rallied around, passed away in January of this year. Our belated condolences to his family and friends.

Today's feel-good story is very similar, only it took place across the Atlantic in the UK, where one Simon Pritchard was in the midst of restoring a Turbo Esprit when a series of mini-strokes put him in the hospital and his resto project in limbo. During the course of the restoration, he had joined the Lotus Esprit Forum to chat with other owners and get advice on his project car. "Big Si" (that's his handle and nickname), made some good friends there, and when he fell ill, they stepped up. Led by Andy Betts, who runs the Esprit forum, his comrades got together and secretly pooled money and time to complete the car. Even Lotus got in on the act, and the red beauty you see above is the final result. It took the gang of volunteers just 5 weeks to complete the project that was expected to take 18 months. Fast forward to a Lotus track day at Castle Combe, where Simon and friends were in attendance. Simon thought his car was tucked away in a buddy's garage having the engine worked on. He realized that wasn't the case when his car, resplendent in its newfound glory, pulled up right before his eyes. We extend a tip of the cap to everyone involved. For full details, you can read this BBC story and check out the private"Plan 'Bigsi'" section at the Lotus Esprit Forum that got it all rolling. Simon's mates recorded the big reveal when it happened, and we've embedded that footage after the jump. The thread that specifically covers the handover at Castle Combe can be found here. Well done, guys!

Thanks to all who sent tips.

[Sources: BBC, Lotus Esprit Forum]

For many of us in our 30s, the white Lotus Esprit S1 driven by Roger Moore as James Bond in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me represents our first exposure to Lotus and the beginning of a long love affair with the British marque. After all, the Esprit was one of the most exotic and different-looking cars those young eyes had ever set on at the time ( and the S1still looks fantastic today). What made the Bond car special, however, was its incredibly cool alternate mode, which we were introduced to when Bond, being pursued by a helicopter, drives it off a pier into the water in a bid to escape (insert British-car electrical system joke here).

We know what happens, of course. The Lotus transforms into what is quite possibly the slickest make-believe submarine ever, dispatches the pursuing chopper with a missile from its vertical launch tubes (which happen to share the exact same real estate as the engine -- another Q Branch packaging miracle -- wink, wink), performs reconnaissance on the evil Stromberg's underwater hideout, and then, in a great scene, returns to the mainland via a crowded beachfront.

And now you can buy it. Next week at Coys Monaco auction, a completely refurbished "submarine mode" prop car from The Spy Who Loved Me will cross the block. During the filming, two complete cars and two bodyshells were used, and the car for sale was purchased as a shell in the Bahamas. Lotus confirmed its authenticity to the buyer, and then provided him with complete technical specifications so that it could be restored to full Bond-car glory. There's no running-gear in it at all (the sub-mode cars apparently didn't have any), and we think this would make one seriously impressive home decoration -- easily surpassing the Countach wall-hanging. If we had, you know, a 20,000 sq. ft. house and money to burn, we'd be there, paddle in hand. Alas, we'll make do with the Corgi Junior version we still possess today. Coys expects the sale to net somewhere between €30,000 - €40,000. And no, guys, Barbara Bach (a.k.a. Anya Amasova, a.k.a Agent XXX, a.k.a. Mrs. Ringo Starr) is not included.

[Source: Coys via Hemmings]

Related:

• eBay Find of the Day: Lotus Esprit from Bond's "For Your Eyes Only"
• Bond's Vanquish from Die Another Day auctioned off

The new CEO of Lotus Cars, Mike Kimberley, has ambitious plans for the British marque, including doubling production in the next five years.

In an interview with Autocar, Kimberley said he's aiming for annual production of around 8,000 units, roughly twice current levels, based on anticipated sales growth for the current Elise and Europa models, and introduction of the much-anticipated new Esprit late next year.

Like Lotus' current models, the Esprit will be mid-engined, but targeted at the luxury supercar market. A BMW V8 is said to be the powerplant of choice, and the Esprit will showcase Lotus' expertise in extruded aluminum chassis manufacturing (as used in the APX concept car).

The interview also suggests that we may see more "Lotus-tuned" cars from other manufacturers, following in the footsteps of the Lotus Cortina of forty years ago (shown at top right with the legendary Jim Clark at the wheel), and the Vauxhall-based Lotus Carlton of the early '90s (lower right).

[Source: Autocar]