Rumors: New Lotus Esprit postponed until 2011

Lotus delays new Esprit, possibly due to its development of a hybrid drivetrain for the new supercar

CAR Magazine / 2007 artist rendering of new 2011 Lotus Esprit

by Alex Ricciuti
January 9, 2009 11:10 PM
Filed Under: European, Lotus, Rumours, Supercars

It's been about 4 years since Lotus discontinued the Esprit V8 and a new Esprit has been a long time coming. It will now be a littler longer time in coming.

It appears Lotus has delayed the debut of the new Esprit, which was due for launch this year, until 2011.

Speculation is that Lotus is working on a hybrid version of the Esprit, which has been said will be powered by BMW's 4.4 liter V8. The 4.4 liter, bi-turbo V8 with 400 hp is already employed in the BMW X6. The Esprit may be taking that engine to about 500 hp. Possibly, also as part of a hybrid marriage with an electric motor.

Details are few on the enviro-friendly intentions of Lotus for the new Esprit. But Lotus has been laying the ground work lately for its push into new propulsion technologies. It recently announced development of an electric Lotus with extended range capabilities through a petrol-powered generator. It is also developing a hybrid drivetrain for motorsport in a partnership with Honda based on the Civic hybrid technology.

The Lotus Esprit is meant to compete with models such as the Ferrari 430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo. Having a hybrid supercar on the market would give it a competitive edge, but it must get the new Esprit to market first.

Source: es.autoblog.com via autoblog.it

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Comments

_M7_

January 10, 2009 12:09 AM

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats the coolest car in a long time Ive ever seen...I guess since the Reventon but it looks a lot like the Murcielago....this is an all new LOTUS :)

AmazingJerry

January 10, 2009 12:13 AM

Its an old rendering from 2007 as the caption says, but I agree. It looks pretty awesome.

Tuner_Mad

January 10, 2009 12:53 AM

Aww man, this car ain't ever gonna come out.

arash84v

January 10, 2009 1:20 AM

Hey every1,dont get me wrong but think the Yellow 1 is trying to be a Lamborghini Gallardo,just look at the hood n the body lining.Dont u think so??? I wnt deny it looks good.At least there trying to copy a good thing i guess.!!!!

GmBHcarfanatic

January 10, 2009 10:33 AM

hater.

Bristol411S3

January 10, 2009 5:07 PM

The yellow one is a Photoshop job on an original Gallardo picture. Ignore it.

I do hope this car comes out, but it is going to need some celever propulsion and light weight to stop it fom being yet another supercar on the way to Oblivion...

BabyMilo

January 10, 2009 2:10 AM

It doesnt looks like a lotus, it looks to heavy

mortz

January 10, 2009 5:43 AM

I wonder how heavy it will be with the v8 and hybrid engine? looks like a lambo.

lucifa

January 10, 2009 10:42 AM

it IS very lambo-esque, but still, if you're going to copy looks, why not copy from what is arguably the best? besides, they're only renderings, and artists have to start somewhere

politz

January 11, 2009 1:08 AM

Hope they can pull it off... hard times for small companies like Lotus, even if they have big sponsors.

Beautiful rendering, by the way... it's like a new take on all the supercar cliches, and still very very good.

Not a supercar design fan here (okay, i'm the Antichrist), but this one would be very interesting indeed.

politz

January 11, 2009 1:12 AM

By the way:

By 'not a supercar fan' I mean, not a fan of those overdesigned, excessively agressive designs like the Enzo, the Koeniggseg or anything from Laborghini. They all scream 'nouveau riche' to me.

On the other hand, the Carrera GT, the MB SLR and each and every Aston Martin look plain awesome - classy, polished and elegant.

Shakey

March 4, 2009 4:41 PM

Wont look like a lotus esprit unless it has pop up headlights. Thats got to be a must !!

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