Lotus V8 development for new supercar range - more details emerge

New details have emerged on Lotus developing its own V8 engine.

According to a report by Auto Express, Lotus is at work designing a new 4.8 liter V8 unit at its Hethel, Norfolk facility. The power plant will weight about 170 kg (374 lbs), 80 kg lighter than the previously proposed 5.0 liter V8 unit from the Lexus IS-F.

The new V8 will be good for an output of around 570 bhp (425 kW / 578 PS) at 9,000 rpm. R variants will get a 620 bhp (462 kW / 629 bhp) version of the unit.

The new engine will go into the Esprit model which will debut in 2013 but will also be featured later in the Elite roadster and the Eterne four-door coupe. Plans for the Elan model have been shelved by Lotus.

The 4.8 liter V8 will also serve as the basis for a new four-cylinder engine for the next-generation Elise as well as a new V6 unit too.

Lotus also says it will build the City Car concept it debuted in Paris last year, which will be due in 2014.