- Midengine 5.0-liter V8-equipped Lotus Esprit concept is on display at the Paris show.
- The 620-horsepower Esprit will debut in production form during spring 2013, says Lotus.
- Lotus Esprit concept is one of five from Lotus at the Paris show.
PARIS — The 2013 Lotus Esprit will be on display in concept form this week at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. This midengine Esprit is one of no fewer than five concepts revealed by Lotus at the Paris show, as the company embarks on a fevered rejuvenation at the hands of ex-Ferrari marketing man Dany Bahar.
Like its predecessor, which was killed in 2004, it's powered by a midengine 5.0-liter V8, but it's substantially more powerful, delivering 620 horsepower, a 0-60-mph time of less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. It will debut in production form during spring 2013, says Lotus, and will cost "circa $175,000."
KERS, the Formula 1-style brake energy recuperation system, will be an option, making the car a hybrid. It will probably use supercapacitors, which are capable of absorbing and discharging electrical energy very quickly, to provide an acceleration boost via an electric motor. The V8 is described as being "pressure charged," so either a turbo or a supercharger will force-feed the engine. Lightweight construction has trimmed the two-seat Esprit's projected weight to 3,190 pounds, although the company has yet to reveal what materials will be used in its construction.
CEO Bahar says: "The Esprit is the ultimate supercar. In the past when people thought of the Esprit, they thought of the movies, Bond, Pretty Woman, Basic Instinct, but this time around, the car is the star of the show."
Bahar adds: "One has to be very careful when taking on the challenge of reinventing such an iconic classic as the Esprit — everyone has an opinion. There's a fine balance between acknowledging the greatness of the past whilst at the same time rapidly leaping forward to the future and ensuring that this car not only does the name Esprit justice but also the Lotus brand."
A shapely looking car containing some quite complex shapes, this new Esprit succeeds in faintly echoing the look of the previous model, as Bahar claims, and in concept form it looks particularly striking. The glass engine lid is effectively a continuation of the tapering glass roof. An inverted trapezoid intake — which could date the car given how popular this shape is today — is flanked by a bold pair of air intakes that lend this Lotus quite an aggressive face. A trio of air intakes on each side of the car are neatly blended into its heavily sculpted flanks, while the wheels fill their wells to provide a promising stance.
Like its predecessors, this Esprit is a strict two-seater and will feature a premium interior. A major challenge for Lotus will be meeting the standards of fit, finish and durability expected in this class today — think of the Audi R8, which costs substantially less than this car — requiring it to make a quantum leap on this front.
Still more challenging will be bringing this car to market when the company has also committed to producing no fewer than four other models. Even experienced mass manufacturers would struggle to deliver a product program of this magnitude.
Inside Line says: It looks good, the specification is promising and there's revolution with KERS hybrid technology — but Lotus now has the monumental task of delivering this supercar. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
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mensan2 says:
11:53 PM, 02/12/2011
As an owner of a Lotus Esprit turbo I find many of these comments uninformed. For those of you who have rather unique opinions I can only wish you the best in your real endeavors.
As to the Lotus projected as a 2013 I am happy to accept it as it is. I also happen to design concept vehicles and the amount of work involved in doing so can be taxing. Let's face it, any new model coming out has to comply with a variety of Federal and state laws re size, weight, etc. Additionally, even after a design has been accomplished (at least on paper) then the engineering department steps in demanding any variety of changes due to manufacturing costs, controls and so forth. Thus a design is never one's own but that of the conglomerate.
This, then, is what you're seeing today. However, I suspect that whatever may be promised will surely change due to changes within the industry as well as advances in electronics, as an example. So be prepared for an even newer Lotus. Hopefully, its time has come.
seanbond says:
08:19 PM, 11/06/2010
Oh and one more note... Ferrari 458 Italia $250,000 570 HP... Lotus Esprit $175,000 650 HP yeah I can see how paying "North of 175K" to blow the doors of a car costing 250K just isn't worth it and Lotus Cars is really picking your pocket.
seanbond says:
08:06 PM, 11/06/2010
Reading some of the comments here I believe some of you all need to wait for the car to hit the showrooms and then revisit your comments "looks too bulbous and contrived. If Jennifer Lopez was a supercar this would be it. " or my favorite "I'm seeing a CR-X in these concepts..." You are comparing a new generation Lotus Esprit to a 1970's Honda CRX? Okay when it comes out, you go park your CRX next to one and see if that Lotus resembles your 1970's CRX. Just as an FYI, this car was designed by the very same person who designed the current Ferrari 458 Italia and the proportions, size and lines are nearly identical. "Pricing north of 175k you can pick up an Audi R8 or MB SLS..." Yeah Okay a car that looks like a land lock sucking air with that huge front grille with 450 HP versus the Esprit with 650 HP... An SLS will set you back north of 200K and it is a front engine rear drive (Apples and Oranges). By the By... How many years has Audi been building Mid Engine Sports cars and how many years has Lotus been building them? Again, when this car hits the showroom, you all go look at the real thing and see if you arrive at the same comments... Doubtful.
sportyaccordy says:
03:11 PM, 10/03/2010
Lighter, more powerful and cheaper than the Ferrari 458. Doesn't hurt that it looks good. I like it.
alex38 says:
08:24 AM, 10/01/2010
@ equalizer: "I'm seeing a CR-X in these concepts.."
The CR-X was a great car in its day but looks NOTHING like this Lotus. You must have quite the imagination..
equalizer says:
05:47 AM, 10/01/2010
I'm seeing a CR-X in these concepts...not necessarily a bad thing. And 3.5 sec 60mph run is on par with the R8 12. I wonder if a Lotus would have the same sterling resale value as Audi tho...
alex38 says:
12:08 AM, 10/01/2010
I absolutely LOVE everything about it EXCEPT for those side windows.
That glass dome is cool in concept but a nasty glass shower in the event of a rollover?
efinils2 says:
10:24 PM, 09/30/2010
I am having a hard time distinguishing the different models, which reminds me of the Aston line up, where all cars have very close overall appearances, with some dimension/number of vents differences. With that said, I think the cars are clean, albeit a little nondescript, sort of like the new McLaren.
herrstreet says:
03:21 PM, 09/30/2010
This car is ok, there is certainly nothing bad about it. The problem I see at the moment is that Lotus isn't developing a clear design language. All premium cars have a certain look that is interpreted by each model. This car just doesn't have it. I agree with observations from NSX to Lexus. I would say it looks like the new McLaren with a few cues borrowed from a Gallardo. Again, not awful, just not distinctive. A mid engined car with this kind of performance, should be memorable.
bestjinjo says:
01:41 PM, 09/30/2010
From the front, this could have been a next generation Acura NSX. Also north of $175k is steep. You could pick up a V10 R8, or Benz SLS. Not sure if the Lotus looks either elegant or sporty enough to warrant such a high price.