Lotus News: "NSFW" Lotus Evora Type 124 24h racer, less hardcore Evora viewing by e-r

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I didn't want to make another thread for somewhat small news, but a lot has been happening at Lotus over the past few months.

Okay, last thing we heard was the the Hethel open house, where Lotus techs were very tight about what was going on behind the curtains. Well, as we could've all guessed, it was the project Eagle 2+2. In late December, all US dealers were shown images of the Eagle, and they all said that it was absolutely stunning. Obviously prevented by confidentiality agreements, they could not tell us very much other than if you are looking at buying a 2+2 GT in the next 12-24 months, get your deposits in now. Mike Kimberley, Lotus CEO, also told the public in an interview that Project Eagle will use a Toyota V6, and not the BMW unit previously rumored. Solid sources are now saying that the Eagle has been locked in, and they are currently producing them at Hethel for a release at the London Motor Show at the end of July. Why we haven't seen anything from Lotus yet is very intentional, apparently. They didn't want to let any info out too early in case of snags in the development. Now that everything has been finalized, they are releasing little teasers, like the info passed on as seen above. And why haven't we seen any test mules yet? Well, apparently we have, but anyone who knows what it is hasn't said anything. That can be taken many ways.

On a bureaucratic level, talks with the VW-Proton takeover have fallen through and the German brand is no longer interested in manufacturing in Malaysia or Lotus. The dude in charge of Lotus Cars USA (who used to run Lamborghini USA) has been sacked and Mike Kimberley has taken control over that position until someone else comes up. Arnie Johnson, the man directly responsible in convincing Lotus to bring the Elise to North America has been given back a job at Lotus Cars USA after being tossed a few years ago. We are also being constantly reminded that Lotus is turning a profit and doing quite well, despite the general consensus of the public in reply to dealership troubles in the UK and Lotus closing their Atlanta distribution centre.

I guess that info isn't solid enough to warrant a new thread, but it is enough to post on GTP. When we get something more official from Lotus, I will make a new Eagle thread.
 
Very interesting indeed!

I had heard about the VW/Lotus thing a while back, but even then, I guess I wasn't sure what to make of it. Too bad, really. I'd love to see Lotus find a home with someone who has deep enough pockets to make it worth while...
 
Finally spotted. Hard to tell from a tiny, noisy picture, but looks like it's actually going good. Can't really comment other than the size comparison to the Elise.

1LotusEagleF34.jpg
 
Ooooh! Very interesting!

You can see the Elise styling cues, but it looks like its shaping up to be something unique. I can't wait to see the production version!
 
I've always taken the Eagle name as a project name rather than a final production name. Although eagle does fit with Lotus's 'E' naming convention, it doesn't seem to quite fit in with the rest of their names. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
 
It doesn't look anywhere near as sexy as the M250... but I will hold my breath for it. :) to be honest, I think there's some synergy to be had with AML and I think the AML shareholders should be making advances, but that's just me. ;)
 
Lotus is happy :).

1LotusEspritmulefront.jpg


car
The pace of change is gathering momentum at Lotus. On Thursday we brought you the world’s first scoop shot of the new Eagle 2+2, today we have the latest pictures of the Esprit replacement. Lotus will show its range-topper in 2009 before sales start in 2010.

This test mule is running a 4.4-litre V8. Could this be the BMW lump that powered the outgoing 645Ci? The capacity is exactly the same and Lotus is known to have been in discussions with the Germans to use one of their V8s. If correct, it would suggest outputs of around 330bhp and 330lb ft.

How comes it's taking so long?

Lotus is developing a lightweight chassis and body for its Mid-engined Sports Car (MSC), as the car is known internally. Chief executive Mike Kimberley has already rejected early proposals for the new Esprit; when he was appointed he ‘drove the mules and they did not meet the Lotus DNA. I could have been driving a Corvette. It was not back to the drawing board, but there was a major engine change and vehicle dynamic changes to the suspension.’

So the engineers are working on saving weight and giving the MSC the lightness of touch that has become a Lotus trademark. ‘It’s all about low mass, low weight, bringing better fuel economy and improved handling,' says Kimberley.

What's the future for Lotus?

Kimberley is wedded to a three-strong line-up. After years of relying on a single range (albeit in Elise roadster, Exige coupe and Europa touring bodystyles), the expanded Lotus family will help the business smoothe over the natural ups and downs of a product cycle. ‘The Esprit will become our flagship,’ he says, suggesting that there will be a natural escalator as young first-time Lotus owners trade up to an Eagle when they have kids, and then an Esprit later in life when they have the necessary funds.

There’s a buzz about Lotus at the moment. New products are finally in the pipeline, and the company is slowly recruiting more staff, after many were laid off in years gone by. Hethel now employs 1400 staff, up from 980 in December 2006.

With the new Eagle and Esprit finally bringing all-new products to showrooms, the company is well placed to begin thinking about replacing the Elise, the car that saved the company in the 1990s. A successor is due ‘some time after 2012,’ according to the boss.
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link

2LotusEspritmuleF34.jpg


Things are turning over at the factory, like I said earlier. It's going to be a fun few years for us who haven't seen anything considerable from Lotus since the S2 Elise. I also edited in a bigger Eagle picture.
 
My heart went a flutter when I thought the Esprit replacement would actually look like that. Then I say the side view and I realized that it was just an Esprit.
 
More Eagle:

2010-Lotus-Eagle-2.jpg


jalopnik
The 2010 Lotus Eagle, the new Lotus 2+2 sports car we've all been waiting for, has possibly been spotted for the first time in production trim (we saw this possible Lotus Eagle mule testing in November). The driver of this prototype was unlucky enough to be captured just outside of the Bosch arctic testing facility, possibly out for a quick cocoa -- or some kind of sneak preview viewing of the new Batman movie where he's decided to dress up the proto as the caped crusader. This new 2+2 should be slotted somewhere between the Elise and the next-gen Esprit in the Lotus lineup and fill the niche for people who like the Elise but would like a little room to carry passengers and gear. Or have two children with no legs. Rumors are that the Eagle's engine will be a V6 sourced from Toyota, and will likely be offered in displacements of 2.5- and 3.0-liters. Horsepower figures are expected somewhere between 200 and 300, making the new Lotus 2+2 a compelling performer, with zero-to-sixty times expected to be in the low five-second range. But heck, what do we know -- we're just calling it the "2010" because it sounds good. Full spy report below the jump and more pictures in a moment.

We just got our first glimpse of Lotus' all-new 2+2 sports car, and managed to snap this set of shots before the test driver could escape back into the safe confines of his Arctic Testing Grounds. Knowledgeable sources in the U.K. have given us iron-clad confirmation that this prototype is the car that Lotus has codenamed "Eagle." The new four-seat Lotus will make its official public debut in July at the London Motor Show, but this is the first time that the car has been photographed in its full production form. The angular camouflage is very thorough, but it's clear that a very svelte, sexy shape lies beneath.

Sources tell us that the Eagle 2+2 will slot in between the Elise and
next-generation Esprit, and is designed for those who love the Elise,
but also want a little more room and comfort. Lotus Boss Mike
Kimberley, quoted by U.K.'s CAR Magazine, has described the Eagle's
rear-seat accommodations as comfortable for children up to nine-years-
old, so the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide aren't exactly in
jeopardy here. The rear seats will most likely be used for a couple
golf bags, or other cargo suitable for a nice weekend trip, giving the
Eagle a nice dose of practicality.

The Eagle is said to use Lotus' aluminum variable vehicle
architecture, so the traditional lightweight Lotus feel should be part
of the package. The Eagle's engine will be a V-6 sourced from Toyota,
and will likely be offered in displacements of 2.5- and 3.0-liters.
With horsepower figures expected to hover somewhere between 200 and
300 horsepower, the new Lotus 2+2 will be a compelling performer, with
zero-to-sixty times expected to be in the low five-second-range.

Don't be fooled by the Eagle's mid-summer debut, as there is still a
lot of development to be done. Finished, production-ready models
aren't due to reach showrooms-and their lucky buyers--until sometime
in the Spring of 2009.
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http://jalopnik.com/360849/2010-lotus-eagle-2%2B2-has-landed-looks-like-batman

Not much to see, but still good to know things are still moving. Plate registry is missing though.
 
From the look of things, you can't see too much. Clearly the design won't stray too far from the look already established by the Elise, and the use of the Toyota V6 is certainly a surprise.

A Camry-powered sports car? SCHWEET!

I kid, of course...

I'm very excited to see what happens here, it should be a very interesting car by the time it hits the streets.
 
I've not really twigged until now, but the new Esprit could be very, very, very, very (ad infinitum) good indeed.

VVT V8s? Maybe with turbos? Can we all say 'fast?'
 
YSSMAN
A Camry-powered sports car? SCHWEET!

I kid, of course...
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You know that by the time Lotus is done with this engine, It'll be something of #XX-GE epicness that will never see the light of day in any proper Toyota, right?

EDIT: Looked back. YOU DID NOT SEE WHAT I HAD TYPED.
 
SIKE!

Lotus_Eagle_Front_Chassis.jpg


Well, almost a picture. It's actually the front subframe of the VVA chassis that the Eagle will use. Those teasing bastards! Well, it's still automotive engineering porn; that piece weighs 55 lbs.

Jellopnik
Those naughty folks at a Lotus are giving us the old "San Antonio Strip Tease" by releasing photos of the Lotus Eagle one piece at a time. While this doesn't give any hints to how the new 2+2 sports car is actually going to look, it does give some idea to as to the suspension setup. Using the new Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA), Lotus will be able to build a variety of cars using one platform, which is economical for a small manufacturer. The VVA setup includes three pieces: center occupant area, front module and rear subframe for the engine. This is a photo of the front module which is light (just 55 pounds) and functional thanks to the use of parts forged from aluminum. The setup will include aluminum control arms with Bilstein dampers and Eichbach springs. Bringing things to a stop will be the job of 13.8-inch vented rotors with Lotus AP Racing four-pots. The Eagle will also feature hydraulic assist for the steering rack, separating it from its Elise brethren. Press release below the jump.
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Press release and source

They're keeping this one tight, this build up better be worth it!
 
So this is only naming news. Lotus UK just took out the name Lotus Ethos at the US Patent and Trademark Office. Lotus Ethos it is!

BUT

They also renewed the name Elan at the same trademark office while dropping all other older names they held like Excel and Elite.

Damn, things are shaping up, Lotus Ethos and Lotus Elan. Sounds sexy.

July is just around the corner, when the "Eagle" (or is it Ethos?) flies at the British Motor Show. A birdie has been chirping that we will be seeing the car more undressed before the show anyways. Great!
 
E... Elan?

*grabs comfy chair and popcorn*

Wow! A car named after an ancient greek rhetorical device!!

It will argue and analyze the driver's every utterance, while throwing him around a track at great speed.
 
High-Test
E... Elan?

*grabs comfy chair and popcorn*

Wow! A car named after an ancient greek rhetorical device!!

It will argue and analyze the driver's every utterance, while throwing him around a track at great speed.
Click to expand...

Uhh, where were 45 years ago?

0-60-Lotus_383.jpg


They kind of got used to it then, I think those who don't remember the original Elan, or the one from only 15 years ago, will get over it.
 
exigeracer
Uhh, where were 45 years ago?

0-60-Lotus_383.jpg


They kind of got used to it then, I think those who don't remember the original Elan, or the one from only 15 years ago, will get over it.
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That's why I'm waiting. I hope it will be as good as the original. But still. Naming a car after a rhetorical device?
 
I'm just saying that spy shot at the top of this page is what spy shots are all about. I'm glad to see Lotus is ready to hide their car well enough to keep me guessing. :cheers:
 
Toronado
I think it would be cool if they make a new Elan that they make it FWD again, just to make everyone mad.
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Make it sub 30K, under 2000lbs and have production capacity to keep up and Lotus will have enough money to make anything they can possibly imagine.

But do we really want that?
 
I personally don't care either way. I grew up with the FWD monster that ran circles around cars with twice as much power. Older Lotus aficionados grew up with the RWD monster that ran circles around cars with twice as much power. How it does it makes no difference to me. For that matter, the only people who hated on the Elan for being FWD were the ones that never drove it. That's just their loss.
Besides, it can't be any worse use of a classic name than the Europa is.
 
Toronado
That would be a compromise that would satisfy no one.
Click to expand...

I meant for the eye roll to stand for sarcasm. Ah, well.

The concern I have is if there's enough room beneath the Elise for an Elan. The Elise is a pretty small car.
 

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