Lotus's Seven Year Product Plan Key Details Emerge - report

2007 artist rendering of new 2011 Lotus Esprit / CAR Magazine

By Thami Masemola
November 11, 2009 8:07 PM
Filed Under: European, Lotus, Production

The Lotus Esprit replacement has apparently been given the green light. The last official Esprit came off the production line in 2004. As in previous years, brand owners Proton, plan to elevate the Lotus name with the likes of Ferrari and Porsche, and a new Esprit is the key.

As a company focused on lightweight sports cars, the British marque is said to be aiming at a power-to-weight ratio of between 275bhp and 325bhp per tonne which is comparable with some big German products. The car would be a third model tier with the four-cylinder Elise/ Exige and Europa as the first tier and the Evora V6 as the second tier, according to Autocar.

Another encouraging development happening at Hethel is the promotion of the new Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA), a platform engineered to suit almost any vehicle type, from sedan to SUV and anything in between. Although rumours claim Lotus is working on hybrid and electric projects for outside entities, there is no indication of in-house alternative powertrains. It is however trying to sell VVA to other small automakers as a strong but cost-effective niche solution.

2012 is the anticipated year for the launch of the tier three supercar, which will most likely not be called Esprit.

 

Source: autocar.co.uk

Comments

desiathate
November 11, 2009 11:15 PM
i am getting all exited now yay go lotus

bILLIONAIRE
November 12, 2009 1:52 AM
The CAR-MAGAZINE rendering looks terrific! To bad lotus always end up with ugly cars (at least for the last 10 years)..

nederina
November 12, 2009 4:35 AM
unfortunately proton cars are still shitty, it is stupid of them not getting any technology transfers from lotus

Bristol411S3
November 12, 2009 9:27 AM
What makes you think tthey aren't? Lotus worked on the Savvy, truning the suspension. Lotus also does engine work for Porton. Ali chassis tubs are not something Proton is able to make real use of though.

camarogod93
November 12, 2009 4:34 PM
7 years and the build a Lamborghini...

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