Tuesday 2nd October 2001

Facelifted Esprit

Is this what the latest changes will look like?

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[olmeca]

This car will go on forever, gradually improving as it goes - I for one hope the Esprit never dies. Just let Lotus get on with it and keep the prats at Proton out of it !

[smeagol]

This could look excellent if the whole car has a facelift. I'm worried that the front as mentioned in the article is still the wedge look. This could give a very odd appearance. ie straight lines to curves....

[guysh]

Yup I can see it happening again - they will take everyones money and then cancel the project........ b@st@rds

[Johnny Boy]

This Esprit should already be in production - delivery is quoted for 1st week December according to my dealer.

[rob.ellis]

This looks like one of the drawings of the m250 to me... I'd be very surprised if they changed any body panels. Bumpers and lights maybe, but the costs of tooling up for new panels is HUGE, and IMHO can't be justified by the low numbers of esprits produced every year.

[sjm]

It's about time they scrapped the Esprit and made a new flagship car. The M250 would have done nicely. The Esprit is just an old joke now. How many recent motoring mags that are doing "supercar" tests these days even include the Esprit in thier comparison - none. Because it doesn't bear comparison to the latest offerings from Ferrari, Porsche, TVR, Maserati, etc,etc. The Esprit was a great and respected supercar in the 1980's, but not now. The TVR 350 was a nice car in it's day as well but would you pay 60K for a slightly rebodied one today ?? Thought not.

[LotusV8]

I for one thing hope as well the Esprit NEVER dies, it is the car that made me fall in love with Lotus. But, I have to strongly disagree on making it look like the Elise in some ways. The Elise is a great looking car dont get me wrong, but for the Esprit, it is a Supercar that needs to hold its title with "dont mess with me" looks, and I dont think the Elise styling cues for an Esprit is intimidating enough. Who knows, maybe it will look great, but I just dont like the idea. Keep it wedged, not round!

[smeagol]

I love the GT1 Elise V8 power looks like the dogs B**l**ks. I think Lotus would be wise making this their new supercar.

[rob.ellis]

quote: The Esprit is just an old joke now.

It may be old, but its still a very capable car, and massively quick: 0-60 in 4.1, 0-100 in 9.5. It'll out-handle many newer cars too.

quote: ..it doesn't bear comparison to the latest offerings from Ferrari, Porsche....

For comparable performance to a V8-GT esprit, two year old F360 will set you back over £100k, a similar age 911 turbo will be £60ish. A two year old esprit can be found at around 30k. Performace per £, there's no comparison. Tuscan is comparable for performance (actually marginally quicker than the esprit) but costs £48k(?) or so, and doesn't have ABS brakes...

[Johnny Boy]

As an owner, I have to agree with Rob. For a car who's basic design is knocking on for 30 years old it is incredible the amount of admiring glances and 'what sort of car is that' questions that it still receives. The reason? - because of the 300 Esprits produced each year, only about 50 are destined for UK roads - I see that many Porsche 911s on the road in one day! Still, it's all down to personal tastes at the end of the day...

[sjm]

I didn't actually mean to deride the Esprit, although my last posting does give that impression. I am actually a big fan, and quite fancy an early eighties model. I currently have an Elan +2, but have previously had an Elite (70's Wedge shape 2+2 one, not the nice early climax type), which is a very underated car. However, much as I like the Esprit I have to say that had I been in a position to buy a brand new supercar 15 years ago it would probably have been at the very top of my list, it would now probably not be on it at all. It is however high on my list of "must have" classic sports cars. SJM

[Johnny Boy]

Apparently all the dealers are going down to Hethel on Wednesday 17th.

Lotus have 'some interesting new things to show them'

No further information yet but will post as and when any comes through

[Johnny Boy]

Hi All

As posted earlier, the dealers are back from Hethel, and here's what I know
so far.

They are building the car now and there is one model only, the V8

Essentially it is a V8-SE with a few extras on top but with a price drop to
£49,950.

The pop-up lights stay but it does have round rear lights (Corvette style
according to my contact)

It has the AP brakes from the S 350 as well as the front lip spoiler (I
think the ECU is also taken from the S350)

According to the spec sheet titled 'Model Year 02 V8 Esprit' you get the
following as standard:

Air con
OZ 'Nova' Monoblock
Spare wheel
Rear SE spoiler
Door panel insert in aluminium colour
Aluminium sill plates with Lotus logo
Black headlining (alcantara option)
Alloy parking brake lever cover
Radio / CD
Dash panel in black leather
Passenger knee bolster in leather colour coded to seat colour
Single or two tone leather interior with various colour options (including
raffia!!)

Usual paint colours with a few Elise ones thrown in for good measure (Laser
Blue, Cobalt blue)

If I get any more info, I will post it as and when

[Nightmare]

ta for the info Johny...any more you get would be appreciated!

Night

[olmeca]

Glad to hear that they are still improving a great car, I could give a flying f**k what anyone else thinks about the Esprit V8, it handles like a dream, goes like a bullet and looks a million bucks. I have a 98 V8 SE tuned to 400bhp - good fun.

There are Porches, Jags and various other expensive and quick cars in the car park where I work - the one they want to look at is my Esprit.

Agree with the comment about the wedge shape to rounded lights might look a little unusual, but the thought of an Esprit without the pop up lights and low bonnet is almost unheard of.

Your thoughts chaps ?

[rob.ellis]

quote: I have a 98 V8 SE tuned to 400bhp - good fun.

I also have a 98 V8 (but a GT, not an SE). I'd be interested to hear what mods you did, how much you spent and whether they were any good etc.

cheers
Rob.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uklotusesprit

[Nightmare]

I think it looks great - would have liked to see faired in headlights (I dont have a sense of history at all *grin*) but the shape should stay the same - as you say olmeca - looks like a million bucks.