New 2013 Esprit

[lotusgirlmarie]

Not really impressed.

http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/New_Lotus_Esprit.htm

[tigerdog]

You need to see it in person, Marie. Even more true of the new Elan. In the photos, the cars look like video-game renderings by some art-school wannabe. In real life, they look very much as a Lotus should look: unique, aggressive, lithe. The jury is out about the "flying buttress" roofline on the Esprit but that's really my only criticism. At the LA show, I was taken by how the new Elan really picks up on the M100's proportions and lines. There was a surprising familiarity about the shape (albeit with hardtop.) The other immediately obvious was how dated and quaint the Elise and Evora look next to the new designs.

The cars also photograph better in natural surroundings than show-floor settings. These photos of the Esprit and Elan give a better idea. The Lotus booth brochure shows the Elan in BRG and it definitely looks better in dark colours.

[Doug]

Wish I could see them too.

My dad went to the LA Auto Show and told me too that the Lotuses were impressive.
The official Lotus literature he brought me shows only the Elise listed as with a 6-speed gearbox -- this is a problem for me. Sure I know a computer can shift faster than I can, but really how often am I driving the car on a track and being timed where it matters!? There's just no way I'd ever buy a "sports car" with an automatic (non-manual) gearbox as long as I have 2 working legs!!
I don't think Lotus really need to cater to women who don't want to drive a manual, but I guess anymore the pansies with all the money to buy high-end cars don't have the know-how to use a clutch?? Not trying to be sexist, but I'm not aware of any Lotus in the past with an automatic tranny (though I'll bet someone will point one out to me), so why the hurry to change over to automatics??!!
At least it makes it easy for me to choose -- I now hanker for an Evora or future gen Elise...

[lotos]

My main complaint isn't that they look like prettier Lambos. I like that. I think that's what a Lotus should look like (except an Elan, which IMHO should always stay a small 2-seat drop top...). My complaint is that they came out with cars that nobody could tell apart, (which is actually a lot like Lambo now that I think about it... I'd bet that 99.9% of the world couldn't tell you if that new Lambo was a Gallardo or a Murcielago)

Well that, and they aren't particularly light. They are LOTUS CARS. They should be a lot lighter than the competition.

But you're coming out with new models, and you don't push the envelope? People won't know if it's an Esprit, an Elan or an Elite when they see them on the road. The Elise, while IMHO way too much of a departure from the successful current model, does look cool, but again is overweight and misses the mission statement of the current car completely as a super-light track worthy car that looks like nothing else.


The silver lining might be that this is all a pipe dream anyhow. They'll come far short on funds to actually build all of these models. If I were a betting man, I'd predict we'll see an updated Elise, either the Esprit or the Elite, and MAYBE the Eterne, depending on how the Panamera/Rapide sales are in 2010/11.

[tigerdog]

... I'm not aware of any Lotus in the past with an automatic tranny (though I'll bet someone will point one out to me)

Point! Eclat 524. Elite was also available with a slushbox.

[theelanman]

... I'm not aware of any Lotus in the past with an automatic tranny (though I'll bet someone will point one out to me)

Point! Eclat 524. Elite was also available with a slushbox.

quite a few excels also came with an auto box.....instead of being an SE..it became an SA to denote its gear box:)

[tweetdriver63]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oyLGgHerwE

[Hegg]

I have to agree it looks better in person. I got one shot at the LA Auto show that sort of helps with the elegance of the car's shape. The press photos don't show how long and elegant the side/rear of the car is.

[texas2201]

I have an Excel SA with an auto box



I agree they look just like another Lambo and you cannot tell them apart

[Songbird]

My complaint is that they came out with cars that nobody could tell apart

And it seems that you are not the only one ....

A couple of weeks ago in the motoring supplement of the News of the World, it stated that Lotus had in fact decided to drop the new Elan, as its design was "too similar to the others"..... Didn't mention if they were going to re-design or scrap the release of a new Elan altogether
But then again it WAS the News of the world motoring supplement ... so we will have to wait and see.

[Ekapol]

While waiting, I'll just go out and enjoy the 1991 model