- Lotus introduces a hybrid sedan concept at the Paris auto show.
- Slated for production in 2015, the Eterne concept uses the same Toyota-sourced 620-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 employed by the new Esprit.
- A hybrid drive system is optional, comprising electric motors and a Formula-1-style KERS energy recuperation system.
PARIS — Think of it as a statement of intent, says Lotus of its Eterne luxury four-seater GT hybrid, which bears quite a resemblance to Aston Martin's four-door Rapide. That intent is planning for a launch in spring 2015. The Eterne debuted today at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.
The Eterne would be Lotus' first four-door sedan if it makes the showroom, powered by the same Toyota-sourced 620-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 employed by the new Esprit. A hybrid drive system is optional, comprising electric motors and a Formula-1-style KERS energy recuperation system. The Eterne will be offered in both rear- and all-wheel-drive forms with a full hybrid transmission that's good for 196 mph and a 0-60-mph time of 4.0 seconds. It's projected to cost $190,000.
The lack of a B-pillar and the somewhat generic styling of this car indicate that the launch of a four-door Lotus is more of an ambition than a reality at this stage, although Lotus CEO Dany Bahar says: "We truly believe that there is a market for the Eterne. There is nothing else like it out there in terms of design, capacity and performance."
A glance at the Rapide, not to mention Maserati's Quattroporte and the Porsche Panamera, would suggest that the Eterne is hardly unique, although none of these is yet a hybrid. Bahar reckons that "the Eterne is sensational to look at, and as with the rest of the range, it also overdelivers in all other aspects as well. Similar to the Elite, it's a car of perfect contradictions — it's compact yet spacious, high-performing yet low-emitting, relatively lightweight yet still reassuringly solid."
Whether Lotus' ambitions for this four-door are as solid remains to be seen.
Inside Line says: The sheer breadth of Lotus' new ambition and the rather me-too style of the Eterne suggest a nice-to-have car rather than an essential model in the company's future lineup. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
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sarahpalin says:
05:51 PM, 10/01/2010
A Lotus SUV and Pickup Truck will be next! perfect for rednecks like me!
dansmith says:
12:03 PM, 10/01/2010
DANY BAHAR CLEARLY WANTS TO TURN LOTUS INTO A REAL CAR COMPANY; NO LONGER JUST A MANUFACTURER OF TRACK TOYS OF HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE REAL WORLD MERIT.
THE NEW ETERNE WILL ALLOW YOU TO PICK UP THREE GUESTS AND THEIR LUGGAGE AT THE AIRPORT, AND WHISK THEM DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOUSE FOR A LONG WEEKEND. BUT
UNTIL THIS LOTUS BOWS, YOU'LL NEED TO RENT A U-HAUL TRAILER, AND THEN STRAP ONE OF YOUR GUESTS TO THE ROOF. SO WHEN DOES THE COMPANY START BUILDING STATION WAGONS AND CROSSOVERs? UNTIL THEN, A MINI JCW COUNTRYMAN IS YOUR BEST BET.
oldchap says:
09:59 AM, 09/30/2010
Agreed. I have driven modern Lotus products, and they're defining characteristics are the sacrifice of everything for the sake of enhancing performance and feel by reducing weight. This new direction is a viking funeral for Lotus' competitive advantage, and I'm afraid they'll find it impossible to beat Porche at its own game. Drop-kick every model with more than 4 cylinders and remake the Lotus Seven. That's a game they can win.
tp660 says:
09:40 AM, 09/30/2010
Ok, this looks and sounds like a cool car but Colin Chapman must be spitting in his grave right now.