2008 Lotus Esprit

sniperofbuffalo · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 03:54 PM

2008 Lotus Esprit Spy Shots

Posted July 6, 2006 06:40 PM by Tim Beggs.

A new version of the Esprit, a mid-engine ride by British car crafter Lotus, is set solid for a 2007 launch. The images presented here show one of the test cars at the Nürburgring. The new Lotus Esprit will have a widened appearance via a fender stretch and will also have a larger rear wing than the current model. Most importantly, the powerplant is the reason to look twice--the next Esprit gets a DOHC 4.8 liter V8, made by BMW, that has an output of 367hp.

Completing the Esprit's package of sport and handling is a newly developed aluminum chassis and a four corner independent suspension. Peak speed is rumored to be about 180mph. The United States can expect a small share of the 1000 to 2000 units produced in Hethel, Great Britain, to come stateside for enjoyment.

http://euro.rpmplanets.com/united_ki...ots_000810.asp

mesarius · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 06:30 PM

If they got rid of the transmission issue that plagued the old V8 Esprits then sign me up. I've always liked the Esprit but I'd rather not deal with the transmission issues they tend to have.

apolloGT · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 06:33 PM

I wish Lotus would make their own engine.

mesarius · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolloGT

I wish Lotus would make their own engine.

Lotus reminds me of coachbuilders like Pininfarina and Bertone, they design sexy cars but don't build everything on their own. It would be nice to see a car that is 100% Lotus for once, then everything would fit as it should and work properly.

sniperofbuffalo · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 08:58 PM

Lotus cars handle pretty well, thats about all they got going for them, they guy from Top Gear said something along the lines of "fine English engineering"

Project2GDSM · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2008, 04:53 PM

Thats a very sexy car.

I bet the acceleration and handling is pretty daym good

apolloGT · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesarius

Lotus reminds me of coachbuilders like Pininfarina and Bertone, they design sexy cars but don't build everything on their own. It would be nice to see a car that is 100% Lotus for once, then everything would fit as it should and work properly.

yes I agree... even if it has to be around $100,000, at least it will be a statement that Lotus can build their own stuff.

sniperofbuffalo · #8 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 12:34 AM

A lot of vehicles manufactureres are like that, not everything is 100% theirs

apolloGT · #9 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniperofbuffalo

A lot of vehicles manufactureres are like that, not everything is 100% theirs

I'm well aware, but Lotus isn't a tuner. At least companies like Saleen who have their own car also do tuning work. Lotus is a separate company, I'd like to see some autonomy there. Koenigsegg recently developed their own engine.

sniperofbuffalo · #10 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 01:07 AM

It's not just aftermarket companies, a lot of big corporations do it, sometimes to save money

apolloGT · #11 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 01:10 AM

True, but you get my point.

A little fun fact all of you American car haters might enjoy:
BMW gets some of their transmissions from GM.

sniperofbuffalo · #12 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 01:13 AM

big deal, GM get's some of their parts/ideas from Germany. It's called a trade off

apolloGT · #13 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 01:15 AM

What parts do they get from Germany? Enlighten me.

sniperofbuffalo · #14 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 01:18 AM

I don't know for sure, probably seats or some other small part. If im not mistaken dosent GM own shares in BMW or is that Mercedes?

apolloGT · #15 (**permalink**) 04-27-2008, 10:18 AM

No I don't think GM has shares in either, although it's completely possible. No, GM makes it's own seats unless specifically identified (they use Recaro sometimes). Getting back to Lotus, even if they don't have their own powerplant, what's up with these 1.8L Toyota sourced engines? Not my cup of tea... but I do like the sound of a BMW engine in the new Esprit.