- The more mainstream Esprit would be powered by a V8, also likely from Lexus.
- Lotus is using the Esprit to move upmarket into Ferrari/Maserati territory.
- Also debuting at Paris will be two new versions of the midengine Evora.
HETHEL, England — The next-generation Lotus Esprit supercar, details of which will be announced at the 2010 Paris Auto Show next month, could be powered by the 552-horsepower Lexus LFA V10, says a source close to the company.
That would be for the Esprit in its ultimate form — the more mainstream version would be offered with a V8, also likely to be sourced from Lexus. That engine will probably be a version of the 416-hp 5.0-liter engine fitted to the Lexus IS F sedan. When asked to confirm this possibility, a Lotus spokesman said that he "couldn't comment."
The Esprit is central to a planned shift upmarket for the British sports-car maker. This major new strategy is the brainchild of recently installed CEO Dany Bahar, who came from Ferrari. Details of this plan are also expected at Paris, but it would appear that Bahar and his new management team — which includes Bob Lutz in a consulting capacity — have concluded that Lotus is both underexploited as a brand and that the road to profitability, a condition rarely experienced at the company, is to build road cars with fatter profit margins in them. And that means building models pitched closer to Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati and Porsche, among others.
This territory is not unknown to Lotus; the previous Esprit, killed off in 2004, competed at the bottom end of this segment. Its scope for competing further upscale was always limited by its fiberglass construction and uncertain build quality.
The new Esprit will be built to much higher standards than this, aided by the company's long-standing links with Toyota, with which it has had an excellent relationship spanning more than 25 years. Toyota supplies all of Lotus' engines and gearboxes and plenty of lesser components besides, so the sourcing of Lexus hardware should not be such a big jump. The new Esprit is expected to be central to Lotus's plans to raise its profile in the U.S. and other major markets around the world.
Also to be announced at the Paris show are two new versions of the Evora sports car: a 350-horsepower Evora S — the stock version produces 276 hp — and a paddle-shift six-speed auto. Called Intelligent Precision Shift, it's mated to the lower-powered version of the Toyota V6. Both versions are likely to be offered in the U.S.
Inside Line says: Lotus will face strong headwinds at these higher prices, Lexus powered or not, as another management team seeks to exploit its long underplayed potential. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
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supra4 says:
08:08 PM, 08/27/2010
To add to Lotusshell's list:
Lamborghini (Gallardo), Rolls Royce, Bentley, Alpha Romero (8c), Toyota (F86), Range Rover, Holden, Detomaso, AC (Shelby Cobra), Aston Martin, etc, etc, etc,
supra4 says:
07:50 PM, 08/27/2010
Yeah, what a bad idea... Using one of the most technologically advanced engines in the world from a company who is well known for engine reliability, and who you have had a close working relationship for 25 years. It worked horrible for the elise/exige. Would things be different if the engine was made by Ferrari? The quality of technology should be judged on its merit, not based on the nationality of the engineers that designed it. The US got some pretty good rocket technology from the Nazi's after the war (eventually took us to the moon).
richcal says:
04:42 PM, 08/27/2010
haha lotusshell,
on the mark sir.
sciencelab says:
03:09 PM, 08/27/2010
Cosworth isnt even doing that well in F1
lotusshell says:
12:31 PM, 08/27/2010
wow bearsdkillz,
There are a lot of cars you apparently do not respect.
Koenigsegg, Pagani, TVR, Ascari, Noble, Maclaren, Maseratti, lets also not forget that early Porsche's were all built with Volkswagen engines ...
bearsdkillz says:
11:35 AM, 08/27/2010
I'll consider a Lotus, when they develop their own engines. Until then, No respect.
cardesigner82 says:
11:05 AM, 08/27/2010
akula1 says:
"Not to mention the best sounding engine for a production street car EVER w/ F1 tuned harmonics by Yamaha"
That's strictly your opinion. Besides, what it sounds like has NO relevance to ANYTHING. bwoodahl was simply stating that it would make more sense for them to use Cosworth as their engine supplier, due to the F1 relationship, I gather. However, Lotus also has a relationship with Toyota since its been supplying engines for the Elise/Exige.
The LFA engine will be "sourced", meaning they are supplied with the engine and can do tweaks that they feel suitable for their layout. A different muffler will change this "best sounding engine for a production street car EVER" theory you have. Lol
Anywho, I think this will be the last draw for Lotus. If they don't get this right, I fear they will end up the way TVR did.
starliner54 says:
10:22 AM, 08/27/2010
This move upmarket will require a quantum leap in quality control. The cars are more fun to drive than almost anything on the road. However, improving fit and finish, both inside and out, will task Lotus engineers in ways that they have never experienced. This is necessary for their new business plan, so I wish them all the best.
ryrybugatti22 says:
10:17 AM, 08/27/2010
@bwoodahl
So then u wont by a lotus at all?
detroital says:
10:16 AM, 08/27/2010
I recommend saving a boat load of money and buying a Ford Mustang.