New Lotus Esprit to get Lexus V10?

The new Lotus Esprit - looks set to get the V10 from the Lexus LF-A

Lotus is a big fan of the Toyota engine. The new Lotus Evora features a 3.5 litre V6 sourced from Toyota, and the Lotus Elise uses a 1.8 litre from the same stable. So it will be no surprise that Lotus is reported to be transplanting a range of Lexus engines in to the new Lotus Esprit.

As we’ve reported before, Lotus are working on the new Esprit – which will be based on a modified Evora chassis – but its likely arrival is dependent on the success of both the new Evora coupe and the yet to arrive Evora Roadster. But sales, and orders, on the new Lotus Evora are currently exceeding expectations, so it looks likely that we will see the new Lotus Esprit by 2011.

It now seems clear that Lotus are intending offering a range of power-plants for the new Esprit, the most interesting of which is the V10 from the yet to arrive Lexus LF-A. Which should see the range-topping Esprit good for a sub 4 second 0-60 mph and a top speed somewhere above 200mph. But it won’t be cheap. Expect a price in the region of £125,000.

But the V10 from the Lexus LF-A won’t be the only engine on offer. Lotus are expected to use the 5.0 litre V8 from the Lexus IS-F for a mid-range version, and the entry model could feature the same V6 lump as used in the Evora. But it is also reported that Lotus are likely to produce some form of Hybrid version of the Esprit, or even an Electric Esprit.

Lotus have renamed their ‘Powertrain Engineering’ division to ‘Propulsion Systems’ to reflect their ongoing intentions. The Esprit EV could be based on Tesla technology (Lotus already provides bodies for the Tesla), which probably makes more sense than stepping all over the relationship with Tesla by producing a direct competitor to the Tesla Roadster with a Lotus Elise EV.

Lotus are a remarkable company. They’ve bucked the downturn and boss Mike Kimberly seems to have pulled off a masterstroke with the Lotus Evora. Lotus owners Proton must be thanking their lucky stars that Lotus is proving such a good investment, and are sure to rubber stamp the Esprit’s quick production in light of what seems to be a runaway success by the Evora.