[jim501]

I remember that bottom photo, it is one of the early Gallardo photos, just pshopped.

[mondi]

There are some Spy photos, but they don't show too much.   

[jim501]

Nearly looks identical to the last esprit under there?

[AshSimmonds]

New Esprit to challenge Gallardo?

Lotus supercar could be powered by 500bhp Lexus V10

The new Lotus Esprit, due in 2012, could be powered by the high-revving, 500bhp V10 engine from the as yet unlaunched Lexus LF-A. Lotus’s special relationship with Toyota gives it access to the Japanese giant’s entire range of components, including engines from the Lexus range. This brings the prospect of a flagship, £100K-plus Esprit powered by the compact, 8500rpm V10 – a supercar to take on the Lamborghini Gallardo – as well as a slightly more affordable version powered by the 5-litre, 417bhp V8 from the Lexus IS-F and an entry-level model with a 300bhp Lotus-tuned direct-injection Toyota V6.

While V8 and V10 engines would raise Lotus’s profile, don’t rule out the idea of an innovatively propelled ‘Eco Esprit’. The company firmly believes that the push towards more efficient vehicles suits its preference for lightweight engineering, while at Hethel ‘powertrain engineering’ is now ‘propulsion systems’, reflecting the company’s interest in alternative fuels and hybrid solutions. This includes its collaboration with electric car maker Tesla.

The launch of the Evora, with its larger bonded and extruded aluminium chassis, gives Lotus the basis of the new Esprit, the rear section having been designed to take both transversely and longitudinally installed powerplants. But while Lotus has proved that it can develop a new model very quickly – the Evora took a mere 27 months – work on the Esprit won’t get into full swing until the Evora is flying out of showrooms in the UK, Europe and US. Proton, the company’s owners, will want to see that Lotus boss Mike Kimberley, who convinced the Malaysians to finance the Evora, has good commercial foresight. After so many false starts with the stillborn M250 project – Lotus’s last attempt to create a new Esprit – the company will need to make a clear, strong case for a new car. The success of the Evora would help that no end.

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/235813/new_esprit_to_challenge_gallardo.html

[AshSimmonds]

Logical Speculation? Next Lotus Esprit Could Get Lexus LF-A's 500-hp, 5.0L V-10

Lotus' relationship with Toyota could land the finally-set-for-production-LF-A's 5.0L V-10 in the back of the upcoming Esprit, Evo speculates. With a high-revving, 500-hp powerplant, the Esprit, set to arrive in 2012, would line up against the heavy-hitters from Ferrari and Lamborghini. Evo also reckons the 5.0L V-8 powering the Lexus IS F is an alternative, possibly as a trim level below the V-10.

An "Eco Esprit" is another option. Lotus has shown interest in alternate powertrains, even going as far as changing the "powertrain engineering" department's name to "propulsion systems." Efficient vehicles are lightweight vehicles, after all.

When it arrives, the Esprit will ride on the Evora's underpinnings, albeit wider and longer. Autocar reported earlier this month that a V-8 would sit between the rear wheels, and though Lotus has been using Toyota engines, the company has said its relationship with the Japanese automaker is not exclusive.

http://wot.motortrend.com/6547685/we-hear/logical-speculation-next-lotus-esprit-could-get-lexus-lf-as-500-hp-50l-v-10/index.html

[futurism]

theres plenty of arguments going on that the GM LS series engines weigh about 40 pounds less and produce the same amount of power, cost a lot less, are more reliable, far simpler and make a much better noise etc.

theres a lot of toyota bashing in general going on, especially about the camry engine in the evora

[AshSimmonds]

As for noise - there was a video last year of the LF-A on the 'Ring and I recall it had quite a nice scream to it.

[mondi]

It's funny that this has come up, I have just been looking at a Pantera in the US that has had a Lexus V8 transplant.

But anyhoo, what's this baby going to look like????   



(The doors on the Mule look very familiar)

[jim501]

The yellow photo is just a ps'd gallardo. Was one of the original press pics I'm pretty sure

[AshSimmonds]

Lotus’s reborn Esprit gets V10 power

Two-seater targets R8 with stunning look and an engine shared with the imminent Lexus LF-A

Auto Express Car Reviews
Text: Jack Rix / Photos: www.beyond-form.com

A legendary Lotus is returning – it’s the new Esprit! The dust has only just settled on the stunning Evora, but already the Norfolk firm is setting its sights even higher. And our exclusive pictures show how the reborn supercar will take shape.

The new mid-engined model revives a badge that was used on the original Lotus flagship between 1976 and 2004. And with a choice of six, eight and 10-cylinder powerplants, it will take the fight to the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo, as well as Audi’s storming R8 V10.

Lotus’s special relationship with Toyota has been well documented – the Japanese manufacturer already supplies engines for the Elise, Exige and 2-Eleven, plus the Evora. Our sources have revealed that the partnership will step up a gear for the Esprit. Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, will be called on to provide a pair of high-power engines.

The entry-level Esprit will be equipped with a tuned version of the Evora’s 3.5-litre V6, producing around 300bhp, while a mid-range model gets the 414bhp 5.0-litre V8 from the Lexus IS F. But taking the new Lotus into the big league will be the earth-shattering 550bhp 4.8-litre V10 from the upcoming LF-A supercar.

Mated to a six-speed semi-automatic paddleshift transmission, this unit should provide the Esprit with performance to match some of the fastest cars on the planet.

A 0-60mph sprint time of less than four seconds is expected, and judging by pre-production testing of the LF-A (see Issue 1,066), the car is likely to hit a top speed in excess of 200mph.

Underpinning the model will be a wider and longer version of the Evora’s rear-wheel-drive platform. This should ensure the handling is worthy of the Esprit name. The wedge-like profile clearly takes cues from Giorgetto Giugiaro’s 1976 design – a car made famous by 1977’s James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me.

But a combination of creases and curves is used to provide the modern-day Esprit with a muscular and aggressive stance on the road. Inside, the newcomer will build on the style of the Evora’s leather-clad cabin – so it’s expected to be the most luxurious interior Lotus has ever designed, a must if the car is to tempt customers away from more established supercar manufacturers.

Prices are likely to start from around £75,000 for the entry-level car, and rise to £150,000 for the V10. We’ll have to wait until at least 2012 for the Esprit’s official debut, though. Lotus won’t embark on final development until the Evora is making a consistent profit. But by adding the new car to the line-up, total production at the firm’s Hethel plant could reach 4,000-5,000 models annually.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/236575/lotuss_reborn_esprit_gets_v10_power.html