New Esprit

[j2 lot]

Apparently completed but no confirmation if production will go ahead 5litre twin turbo V8 with KERS - 650 bhp

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-c ... e-fruition

Surely if they have taken it to the level of being production ready it will be made? Unless of course it was sold as a package to be badged as something else

[rossybee]

It will use a 5.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with an F1-style KERS system, mated to a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission.

Despite a power output of around 650bhp, and a carbonfibre/aluminium construction, the Esprit is expected to cost no more than a high-end 911 – around £100,000.

Currently there is no word of when, or indeed if the Lotus Esprit will make it into production. A spokesman declined to comment on the story.

Lots of car for £100k, when you consider the stats aren't dissimilar to a certain car built in a shed in Leicestershire

[Dominic]

I would love to see that go in to production, but can't help but wonder if customer confidence with Lotus at the moment will be strong enough to go for a £100K car.

[GP1]

I really hope they can and will build it. I think it would re-establish Lotus as a credible outfit and be cement them as a world class engineering authority. I'm not sure confidence in the company's stablity would feature too highly in the buying decision, whcih would go something like: Looks cool, good tech, quick and relatively cheap. If the company goes bust, I'm sure there will be any number of specialists spring up. TVRs seem well catered for. What else is there to think about?

I think it would be a big risk to the company, but one which would surely pay off. Put another way, can they really afford not to? Doesn't seem like they have much to lose at the moment given that they appear far from stable as things are. Risk everything for the pay off I reckon. Surely better than limping along off the back of exiges etc?

[tut]

If they got it right with good build quality, then a 650hp Supercar at less than £100K would have nothing else to touch it.

It would probably be lighter than the equivalent Ferrari, McLaren, Lambo, Porsche, with more hp and £80K cheaper. However not holding my breath as there is a big difference between specs for something that may happen, as opposed to the car actually being in production.

tut

[mwmackenzie]

If I had 100k to spend on a car that would be right up there, main worry would be the £50k I'd lose on it in the first 18 months.. Awesome spec for the cash!

[Doc883]

If I had 100k to spend on a car that would be right up there, main worry would be the £50k I'd lose on it in the first 18 months.. Awesome spec for the cash!

Simple, buy a low mileage 18month old one for £50k

[mwmackenzie]

Indeed, Lotus residuals really are poor... My second Esprit was 15 months old when I bought it and I paid less than half of what it was new.... I was pretty happy with that deal lol

[neil]

I will be amazed if they can produce that for £100k! So much so that I'll be having one - this may involve selling my house however

[smee]

I read that article as "lotus insiders/press office say please buy our company, look shiney shiney. We build cars and everything. This one has a million horsepower and costs the same as a ginsters pasty. It's nearly finished, just needs some minor tweeking/extensive engineering. Ideal winter project, all offers considered. Shiney shiney."

[Dominic]

I read that article as "lotus insiders/press office say please buy our company, look shiney shiney. We build cars and everything. This one has a million horsepower and costs the same as a ginsters pasty. It's nearly finished, just needs some minor tweeking/extensive engineering. Ideal winter project, all offers considered. Shiney shiney."

[Shug]

I read that article as "lotus insiders/press office say please buy our company, look shiney shiney. We build cars and everything. This one has a million horsepower and costs the same as a ginsters pasty. It's nearly finished, just needs some minor tweeking/extensive engineering. Ideal winter project, all offers considered. Shiney shiney."

So cynical, young man... So sad, I agree.