Lots of Lotus news lately

[Aurora40]

New midrange Lotus model from Proton?

Michael Kimberley, who came out of retirement in May to run Lotus, says the company will launch three new models by 2011. Lotus sells the Elise and Exige in the States, and will add a midrange sports car scheduled for late 2008, followed by a new Esprit late in ’09. Kimberley said the third car will be a high-performance version of a Proton. Malaysian automaker Proton owns Lotus.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061009/FREE/61003003&SearchID=73261677335621

The next Esprit?

Lotus is working on the replacement for the Esprit, which gained world fame for its roles starring in two James Bond films. Internally known by the code name MSC, the new Esprit is now expected to make its debut in autumn 2008 for the 2009 model year.



Improvised test mules have been around for quite some time, but now, the first complete prototype has hit the roads, which gives evidence that all crucial design features of the vehicle, such as the principal structural design and manufacturing technology, packaging and drivetrain supplier have all been decided.

The new Esprit will be built around a new aluminium structure, which Lotus plans to adopt for other cars, too. The Esprit is expected to spawn another, somewhat smaller six-cylinder Lotus sportscar and/or a 2+2 GT car in the future.

It is still unknown what engine will be used. Several sources have reported that Lotus has chosen to use a 4.4-liter or a 4.8-liter V-8 from BMW, worked over by Lotus with its own electronic engine management and control unit. The engine and gearbox will be mounted longitudinally-evidenced here by the transmission case plainly visible at the bottom rear end.

The new Esprit will come as a coupe and, for the first time, as a convertible/roadster, too. A price of $130,000 has been bandied about.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots_and_Future_Cars/Spy_Shots_2009_Lotus_Esprit.S178.A10954.html

New headlights are expensive? Also, a turbo Exige?

Lotus Cars USA says the 2007 edition of the Elise roadster will cost a little more than before, while the Exige S coupe will stand far above the Elise in pricing. The Elise's base price now sits at $43,990, increased due to currency fluctuations and adaptation of new headlights for the U.S. market, Lotus explains. The Exige S, essentially an Elise coupe with a turbocharged, 220-hp four-cylinder engine, is priced from $56,990. Lotus says the Exige S scoots to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and tops out at 148 mph.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Daily_Auto_News/Daily_Auto_News_Oct_19_2006.S173.A10978.html

I suspect that's a typo and it should be the supercharged Exige S, though.

Lotus will also be renting Elises through Enterprise, it seems mostly or only on the west coast though.

[Aurora40]

I've no idea what a Proton vehicle is like, but it seems odd Lotus would basically rebadge a car. It's also unfortunate that they might not be building their own engine for the next Esprit. Not to disparage the BMW V8's, but that's a bit pedestrian for a $100k+ flagship Lotus sports car. I'm not sure I'd want to think about how my Esprit shared an engine with an SUV.

[Enright]

Well if Beemer engines are good enough for McLarens...

And anyway, haven't Lotus homebuilt engines usually been pretty unreliable? They seem to be much better when they tweak someone else's.

[Aurora40]

The McLaren F1 had a unique BMW engine, not a mid-range engine found in SUVs and sedans. Like I said, it just seems like an odd choice.

Also, those price estimates are about $40-50k more than the last Esprit which had a unique engine. I wonder where the cost is going?