Report: 2011 launch date for Lotus Esprit successor

Posted Tue Aug 12 2008 1:17 PM by Ralph Hanson

Speaking at the debut of the new Evora GT at last month’s London Motor Show, Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley reaffirmed his earlier comments that the sports car manufacturer is well underway on its five year product plan and that there were two new models currently under development at the company’s Hethel engineering center. While recent speculation has suggested that one of the new models could be a new-generation Carlton sports sedan, the second model has already been confirmed as a successor to the legendary Esprit supercar.

Solid details for the new model are scarce but Kimberley has revealed in the past that the car is being developed with a “a very well respected prestige carmaker.” Most are predicting it will feature a BMW-sourced V8 engine and maintain a mid-engine layout. However, latest reports from AutoTelegraff suggest the new model will feature a Toyota powerplant and won’t arrive until 2011 at the earliest.

Rising development costs and changing requirements have reportedly pushed back the original 2010 release date, however both coupe and convertible models will now be available - Lotus had originally planned to launch a hardtop only.

In the meantime, Lotus will continue development of its new Evora GT and roll-out several new variants including a convertible, a supercharged high-performance model and an automatic.

Reader Comments

Tue Aug 12 2008 1:53 PM
gino says

Homely.
Tue Aug 12 2008 2:39 PM
TaeKwonDonkey says

Its about time damnt
Tue Aug 12 2008 5:23 PM
Tigersworld says

Damm that look's like a Delorian with a Japanese aero kit glued on!!!!

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