Monday 18th February 2008

Twin-Turbo V8 For Esprit

BMW power on the way

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New Esprit? We'd still have one of these

More news from Norfolk today as we hear that BMW are providing the powerplant for the next generation 'Esprit' with the new 4.4 twin-turbo V8.

The new BMW X6 will see this engine first where it will push out 420bhp however, Lotus don't think that's enough and they suggest that their version will deliver over 500bhp

There have been a few spy pictures of a 54 plate car wearing the old Esprit body and Autocar claim this is the testbed for the new Esprit powertrain, rather than for 'Project Eagle' as many thought. We can't show these pictures for copyright reasons, but there's nothing to stop PH readers doing a quick Google search!

PistonHeads are smiling into our morning coffee at the thought of two new Lotus appearing soon, well done to the guys at Hethel, good luck and we can't wait to hear more.

[carl_w]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/...

I'd buy one...

[DamoLLb]

wonderfull! Should be a cracker.........

[Fordo]

been a fan of all things lotus for years- will be great to see something not based on an elise for a change

I used to have a poster of an esprit on my wall when i was a little 'un. In the most obscene yellow you can imagine!

[striker 20v]

I wonder what box will be behind it.

could open up a nice new solution to the G50 problem!

Grtz Thomas

[Gerjo]

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

where do I sign?

[simonrockman]

I've an Eagle on order. Apparently it's a 3.5l Toyota V6 with 300bhp. I'm told it will be launched this summer and to expect delivery this time next year.

Simon

[chrisbr68]

Fordo said:

been a fan of all things lotus for years- will be great to see something not based on an elise for a change

I used to have a poster of an esprit on my wall when i was a little 'un. In the most obscene yellow you can imagine!

Sounds good pete, cant wait to check this baby out!

[scotty_917]

I really hope they crack the reliability issues / build quality. They deserve to succeed...through perseverance alone. With TVR now gone...for good...the only 'mass' British sports car manufacturer needs all the breaks it can get....BMW engine technology, which is 2nd to none, is a good starting point!

[poing]

So that X6 is now good for something at last

[zagato]

It'll probably be 150k seeing as they try and charge +£50k for the elise go kart now!

[Wanta996(Gotta)]

New Esprit: engine by BMW + handling by Lotus = Hethel's best ever?

They forgot build quality by local Nursery.

If they can get the build quality right and price competitive then i would be first to put a deposit down as i have always loved Lotus.

[waynepixel]

It's good to see that BMW are backing Lotus in the engine department, and I just hope Lotus can build a reliable car which drives well. 500-Bhp,

[madleee]

Supercar finally gets super power.

[Shandypants]

I do hope it will look something like this

Edited by Shandypants on Monday 18th February 12:37

[Dr S]

[quote=Wanta996(Gotta)]New Esprit: engine by BMW + handling by Lotus = Hethel's best ever?

They forgot build quality by local Nursery.

If they can get the build quality right and price competitive then i would be first to put a deposit down as i have always loved Lotus.

[/quote]



Being such a small manufacturer with very limited budgets, I wonder where they take the short cuts when developing one of their new models...

Elise and Exige are amzing cars (if they work). However, the Europa is a product in dire search of a customer. As much as I would love to see this V8TT powered top range model on the street, I have some nagging doubts if it can truly deliver...

[cirks]

autocar article said:

DVLA records matching its number plate reveal that it's powered by a 4.4-litre V8

The use of the DVLA matching number plate to car is an interesting way to decide on what engine a car has. If you believed DVLA log books etc, most TVRs have the wrong size engines in them. Until I corrected mine, mine had a 3500cc one (the car was built as a 4.5 and now has 4.8)!!

However, the Esprit (old or new) is still on my list of 'must have' cars...

[jackal]

is this it

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/euro/...

[Boggy]

jackal said:

is this it

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/euro/...

Nope

[cavebloke]

Shandypants said:

I think that looks like a slightly uglier Murcielago. Okay, so that doesn't exactly make it ugly or bad but I hope the final thing has a more distinctive character.

[karluk29]

build quality LMAO

anyone want to drive my lotus esprit GT3, as the build quality and materials are very very good and more reliable than your average focus.

fingers crossed the new car "HAS TO" do more then 200mph and needs to be in the audi r8 price range, R8 is a good looking car BUT unless you have all the other marques WHY buy a audi for that price tag.