Next-Gen Lotus Esprit Confirmed

[YSSMAN]

Good news for Lotus fans upset with the Europa...

In May, Lotus officially confirmed it would build a new mid-engined car for the 2008 or 2009 model year. While the car will occupy the sector vacated by the Lotus Esprit that finished production in 2004 (pictured), the automaker has tried to downplay rumors that the new vehicle would revive the Esprit nameplate. However, Lotus boss Mike Kimberley told the U.K.'s PistonHeads in a recent interview that the car will use the name. The interviewer noted that "the PR man cringed" and reminded Mr. Kimberley that what he meant to say was "the mid-engined sports car."

Sweet... And the origional confirmation of the story...

Lotus will build a new mid-engined sports car in 2008, the company announced today. The mid-engined car will be positioned at the higher end of the Lotus range and will occupy the sector vacated by the Lotus Esprit that finished production in 2004. The car will likely be sold as a 2008 or 2009 model. The car will be built at the Lotus headquarters at Hethel in Norfolk U.K. The decision to assemble the new car at Hethel follows an extensive evaluation of a number of manufacturing locations around the world by Group Lotus and its shareholder Proton Holdings Bhd.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive for Group Lotus plc says: “We are very pleased that Hethel has been confirmed by the Board of Directors as the manufacturing location for this vital new car. However the decision to choose Hethel has not been taken lightly and was influenced not only by our past achievements, but also by firm future commitments to improve the efficiencies and flexibilities within our manufacturing facility. We have a lot of work to do between now and the start of production and this will demand much commitment and hard work from us all at Lotus.

Awesome news indeed. Lets pray they do a V8 model again!

 

[Jay]

Great, I like the idea of a new Esprit, I just hope its turbocharged again, I don't care if its 4,6 or 8, as long as its turbo.

 

[1X83Z]

I personally don't much care what it looks like as long as they try to drag it on little-changed for half a century like they did the old one!

 

[JCE]

Great, I like the idea of a new Esprit, I just hope its twin turbocharged again, I don't care if its 4,6 or 8, as long as its twin turbo.

There I fixed that for you. 👍

I agree, the Esprit is just too good of a name and icon to just let fade away. Still, I'll never be able to afford one so what do I care.

 

[TopHat]

If you can afford one now, you should be at your Lotus dealer.

I'll probably just buy a Chevy.

 

[exigeracer]

Lotus fans aren't really upset about the Europa (the well-informed ones), they should be happy for it, after all. The entire development of the car was paid for by Proton in Malaysia, and the final product given to Lotus after a change in plans.

Lotus fans should be happy that it will be built in Hethel, not the earlier confirmed build site in Asia.

Original rumors showed that the power source would be Audi, but that was scratched when Audi changed their policies/productions, now the current ideas are towards the previous generation M5 V8.

I'll check my Lotus sources later today for any other info (I check GTP before those 'cause I love you guys so much )

 

[Eric.]

Lotus fans aren't really upset about the Europa (the well-informed ones), they should be happy for it, after all. The entire development of the car was paid for by Proton in Malaysia, and the final product given to Lotus after a change in plans.

Lotus fans should be happy that it will be built in Hethel, not the earlier confirmed build site in Asia.

Original rumors showed that the power source would be Audi, but that was scratched when Audi changed their policies/productions, now the current ideas are towards the previous generation M5 V8.

I'll check my Lotus sources later today for any other info (I check GTP before those 'cause I love you guys so much )

How about a current-gen M5 V10.

Perhaps a couple of engine choices would work well. A 350hp NA V8 for a base engine, and then a higher output (425+ would be pretty nice) turbo engine. How about a Porsche flat six?

Given Lotus' current relationship with Toyota, maybe some of their engines are being considered.

 

[red70mach1]

How about a current-gen M5 V10.

Perhaps a couple of engine choices would work well. A 350hp NA V8 for a base engine, and then a higher output (425+ would be pretty nice) turbo engine. How about a Porsche flat six?

Given Lotus' current relationship with Toyota, maybe some of their engines are being considered.

The Lexus V8 would be my most likely pick for the Esprit.

 

[YSSMAN]

If Lotus wants a V8 from Toyota someone better let them know now that there are slim pickins over there. I'd like to see an LS2-powered Esprit, but I can guess that it won't happen. But hey, maybe Lotus could develop a set of DOHC heads for the LS2, similar to how they worked on the LT1 to create the LT5, and use that to power the Esprit...?

 

[Pebb]

Its most likely going to use a BMW V8.

 

[sutton.a]

If Lotus wants a V8 from Toyota someone better let them know now that there are slim pickins over there. I'd like to see an LS2-powered Esprit, but I can guess that it won't happen. But hey, maybe Lotus could develop a set of DOHC heads for the LS2, similar to how they worked on the LT1 to create the LT5, and use that to power the Esprit...?

God damn thats some confusing car language to someone not familiar with car terms lol

 

[Famine]

I have a better idea for a source V8...

 

[1X83Z]

Since we're speculating, how about another link session to the Bugatti Veyron's quad-turbo W16?

 

[Tornado]

How about a current-gen M5 V10.

Eeeewww. No way.

Perhaps a couple of engine choices would work well. A 350hp NA V8 for a base engine, and then a higher output (425+ would be pretty nice) turbo engine. How about a Porsche flat six?
Given Lotus' current relationship with Toyota, maybe some of their engines are being considered.

I doubt it. The original Esprit V8 was supposed to have 500 BHP, so I can't imagine this new one having less.

If Lotus wants a V8 from Toyota someone better let them know now that there are slim pickins over there. I'd like to see an LS2-powered Esprit, but I can guess that it won't happen. But hey, maybe Lotus could develop a set of DOHC heads for the LS2, similar to how they worked on the LT1 to create the LT5, and use that to power the Esprit...?

As great as the LS2 is, I want a TT Esprit. And besides, making a DOHC engine out of the LS2 would make it too heavy, as it did for the LT5.

 

[exigeracer]

I would put major money down that it will have the V8 from the X5.

Plus, this news is about 3 months old, and there has been a Esprit mule spotted at various locations including the Nurburgring since then. This car isn't so far from reality as we might think. Lotus is good at not telling anybody anything.

And if they have proved they can outsorce a gorgeous design (see Tesla), this car should be stunning. I can't wait to see what the team comes up with.

 

[YSSMAN]

God damn thats some confusing car language to someone not familiar with car terms lol

Wait, I'm confused as to what I said incorrectly. The term "slim pickins" here in the US is a reference to few or very little in terms of choises, so whats the deal? Lotus did co-develop the LT5 with GM, based loosely off of the LT series engine... Of course it was built by Mercury Marine, but you can't hide the fact there were Lotus DOHC heads under the hood...

 

[TheCracker]

I would put major money down that it will have the V8 from the X5.

Plus, this news is about 3 months old, and there has been a Esprit mule spotted at various locations including the Nurburgring since then. This car isn't so far from reality as we might think. Lotus is good at not telling anybody anything.

Lotus might be good at keeping quite - but i know of some very suprising cars seen pounding the Hethal test track when Lotus/potential Lotus owners i know have gone there for a test drive, including a Esprit test mule from at least 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[ExigeEvan]

For a start, god news 👍

I think a V10 would be wayyy too heavy. I know this is probably not going to be too light anyway, but it certainly shouldn't be a tank. I think a Lexus V8 would be a nice idea, would certainly cut the engine out of the reliability equation.

And of course Lotus have been testing, why wouldn't they when they have Proton to back them?

And finally. I don't hate the Europa, I don't like the idea of it, and I'm happy it wasn't badged a Proton. But... It's not the prettiest thing.

 

[YSSMAN]

I just don't see a Lexus/Toyota engine working out well in a sports car. Granted, they make so-so-ish ammounts of power, but they are designed to run in luxury cars, not sports cars.

I suppose if Lotus was to steal a Toyota-developed V8 from the lineup the best answer would come from the next-generation Toyota Tundra, but even then it is more of a torque monster than anything else.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I just don't see a Lexus/Toyota engine working out well in a sports car. Granted, they make so-so-ish ammounts of power, but they are designed to run in luxury cars, not sports cars.

Fair point. I suppose it's better that they had an already sporty engine than try to make a cruiser engine into a sport engine.

 

[Jim Prower]

Toyota V8 isn't a good idea anyway...they're meant to only run with automatics, last I heard.

 

[TheCracker]

I don't think the fact that the Elise uses a Toyota engine will mean that the Esprit will follow suit. Lotus will use which ever engine (available) that best suits their needs. I would think that the BMW V8 would be the most likely. It seems to be the modern V8 of choice when it comes down to small and smallish volume sportscar makers. Are the Toyota/Lexus V8's longitudinal or horizontal in their engine bay placement?

 

[YSSMAN]

(@ Jim) Yes, I belive that is the case. The last time a Toyota V8 was matched with a manual there had to be some extensive work done with the car to get it to work. I am of course talking about the Stillen-developed "IS430", which had to use a secondary computer program to trick the engine into beliveing that there was an automatic transmission attached to it, when in fact it used the old manual transmission from the Supra.

 

[Jay]

Toyota V8 isn't a good idea anyway...they're meant to only run with automatics, last I heard.

Yes, but I am quite sure Lotus is capable of making the software to enable the engine to function correctly with a manual transmission (not just tricking it like is done aftermarket), or Toyota themselves could supply it easily.

 

[Dave A]

Why go to all that bother when there's more appropriate V8's already available that will save you the time, effort and money.

 

[Jay]

Why go to all that bother when there's more appropriate V8's already available that will save you the time, effort and money.

What bother? Tuning/making the software to run the engine correctly? Even if they do use the BMW V8, I'm sure the software would be tweaked/changed anyway. As you would be aware it's not a case of just dropping the engine in a chassis, it takes a lot of engineering doesn't matter what or who's engine they use.

If its about saving time effort and money then just go with the simple well proven choice, Chevrolet V8.

 

[YSSMAN]

^ I'd be more than happy with the Chevrolet V8 out back. That way, you know its outrageously reliable, and quite easy to modify should it ever be needed.

 

[Jay]

I personally would not want to buy a Esprit with a Chevrolet V8, nothing against the engine as it is more than capable but it has very little exclusivity. Unless Lotus tweaked it and made a unique version, much like they did when they made the LT5.

Myself with the Esprit I would like a mid sized engine I6, V6 or V8 of about 3-4 litres and turbocharged. Like the Noble M15 really.

 

[Dave A]

If its about saving time effort and money then just go with the simple well proven choice, Chevrolet V8.

Not what I said at all. I said why go to that bother whern there are more appropriate V8's already available. So once again, why go to the bother of developing software to run a less appropriate engine with a manual transmission when you can use a more appropriate engine.

 

[Jay]

Not what I said at all. I said why go to that bother whern there are more appropriate V8's already available. So once again, why go to the bother of developing software to run a less appropriate engine with a manual transmission when you can run a more appropriate BMW engien with out that software. Sure you'll need to tweak the BMW V8's software but that's not half as much time and money creating all new software, which a Toyota V8 would need unless you were merely tricking the engine which you suggested not to do.

Its not all that complicated to rewrite software to run a pre made engine and/or transmission for the manufacturer. They do it all the time with new engines and configurations in new cars.

BTW I never said there wasn't more appropriate engine then the Toyota V8, I'm just pointing out that modification to the engine controlling software is not a big thing at all, so if they do decide to go Toyota V8 I would think higher concerns would be with what transmission to bolt up to the engine (presuming its MR which would make it harder) rather then getting the V8 to run correctly with a manual.