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Spy Video and Photos: 2009 Lotus Eagle
2009 Lotus Eagle Hits the Nürburgring
It's less than two months away from its official introduction, so it's no surprise that we're finally seeing prototypes of the 2009 Lotus Eagle. It's another midengine sports car from the famed British car builder and it was caught testing recently on the Nürburgring under heavy camouflage.
The Lotus Eagle will be the first production vehicle to use the company's new Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA). Built to accommodate various body types, the VVA was first shown beneath the APX concept at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. That vehicle was a compact crossover, but the Eagle will be a midrange 2+2 coupe.
Judging by the photos of the prototype on the Nürburgring, the accommodations in back won't amount to anything more than miniscule jump seats. Although the VVA will allow Lotus to push the Eagle's wheelbase beyond the 90-inch mark found on the Elise, don't expect a significantly larger car.
Most of the extra room will go toward accommodating a V6 engine. Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley has said publicly that the Eagle will use a Toyota-built V6. Most speculation pins the power plant in the 3.0- to 3.5-liter range with roughly 230-260 horsepower. A six-speed manual is the most likely transmission, although Lotus might finally bow to customer concerns and offer an automatic as well.
The official unveiling of the 2009 Lotus Eagle is slated for the 2008 London Auto Show in late July. Production will begin later this year, with sales starting by early 2009.
See new Lotus models
See future Lotus models
The Lotus Eagle will be the first production vehicle to use the company's new Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA). Built to accommodate various body types, the VVA was first shown beneath the APX concept at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. That vehicle was a compact crossover, but the Eagle will be a midrange 2+2 coupe.
Judging by the photos of the prototype on the Nürburgring, the accommodations in back won't amount to anything more than miniscule jump seats. Although the VVA will allow Lotus to push the Eagle's wheelbase beyond the 90-inch mark found on the Elise, don't expect a significantly larger car.
Most of the extra room will go toward accommodating a V6 engine. Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley has said publicly that the Eagle will use a Toyota-built V6. Most speculation pins the power plant in the 3.0- to 3.5-liter range with roughly 230-260 horsepower. A six-speed manual is the most likely transmission, although Lotus might finally bow to customer concerns and offer an automatic as well.
The official unveiling of the 2009 Lotus Eagle is slated for the 2008 London Auto Show in late July. Production will begin later this year, with sales starting by early 2009.
See new Lotus models
See future Lotus models
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