The new Lotus Esprit gets the green light for production
Lotus has given the green light to a new Lotus Esprit featuring the V10 from the Lexus LF-A. Scheduled to hit the road in 2012.
Back in September – when we reported that Lotus had delivered the first Evora to a customer – we noted that the success of the Evora would underpin the future of the new Lotus Esprit. Despite the obvious success of the Evora – and a profitable business overall – Lotus wanted to make sure they were on solid ground before pushing ahead with the Esprit.
So we assume that things are going pretty swimmingly for Lotus at the moment as its being reported that the new Lotus Esprit has been given the green light. That could have something to do with new Lotus CEO Dany Bahar who has made it clear he wants to put Lotus on a par with Ferrari – his former employer. Bahar is due to unveil a seven year plan for Lotus in the next few weeks and that report is said to confirm the new Esprit for production.
Considering the long association with Toyota it seems almost certain the the Hethel boys will make full use of Toyota sourced powerplants for the new Esprit. The halo car will probably get the new V10 from the Lexus LF-A, but expect to see a lower model – or even two – using the V8 out of the IS-F with around 420bhp or even an entry level model sporting the 300bhp V6 used in the Evora.
The new Esprit is likely to be based on the same flexible platform as the Evora and it seems likely that there will also be a convertible Esprit. Lotus are aiming to get the new Esprit to market in 2012.
Much as the LF-A appeals, I’d much rather have a Lotus with the same engine. Sounds promising, to say the least.
Source: Autocar
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