Replacement for Esprit?

[freestyle2031]

I've been in love with Esprit's since I was around 8 years old or thereabouts, and have always assumed that they'd still be in production when I can afford one. But now that the Esprit is going out of production, have Lotus announced what model will be replacing it?

I'm dreaming that it maintains the Esprits look and form, but produced with the technological advances used in the Elise, but somehow I don't think it's gonna happen.

[tacoboy]

Last I heard is that the next new Lotus car is about
2 or 3 years away.

[cnh1990]

Looks like just the Elise for now. Although there has been discussion about one with a V6 lately. But that is still just a rumor at this point. With how long the streetable Elise has been taking to get over to the US I'm not holding my breath over that one.
Calvin

[freestyle2031]

Thankfully we tend to get the newer Lotus models here without much waiting (even the Exige can be driving on the road), although there was a motorshow just recently and sadly, a 2002 Esprit was missing from the show. I hope enough people buy the 2002 Esprit to give me a chance of owning one in the next few years!

The idea for a V6 Elise sounds great. Lotus is definately the company I want to do my graduate industrial placement with. Thanks for the reply guys.

[cnh1990]

We are screwed when it comes to the Elise or Exige.
check out this from the turbo list.
www.southwestfloridaonline.com/news/local_state/021203lotus.html
Calvin

[andecorp]

cnh1990 said: We are screwed when it comes to the Elise or Exige.
check out this from the turbo list.
www.southwestfloridaonline.com/news/local_state/021203lotus.html
Calvin

Calvin, I notice that you guys in the US lust after the Elise and Exige.
Being that they have been available here (aust) right from the start, in case of the Elise since '96, and having driven both on numerous ocasions, they just cannot be compared to the Esprit.
And I am not just talking about the looks (the Esprit looks like a classy, rich supercar like it should be - the Elise/Exige look like rice rockets - especially the Exige).
The Esprit has comfort, performance and every day drivebility.
Neither the Elise or Exige do. They are both very hard on the road, they rattle and squeek at the smallest oportunity and they feel very flimsy/plasticky. Plus they are nowhere near as comfortable as the Esprit.
Then of course, you have the getting in and out of them issue - when the roof is on the Elise, I can only get out of the car by crawling - my hands on the road pulling myself out of it. The roof off, they are no problem, but hardly a every day kind of car like the Esprit is.

I know that they look desirable and on the track they are huge fun, but try it for a day doing normal street driving and you will quickly hate it.

[hedgerley]

According to todays news Lotus have applied for an extension to the A pillar headroom exemption they have had for the US Esprit until 12/31/03. They say after that the V8 engine won't conform to the emmisions rules (although I thought it was the discontinued Renault gearbox that would be the demise of the Esprit) Intrigueingly the documentation mentions Project M260, its replacement, but with no details. Lets hope the next Esprit is on its way, but I guess 2004 is to early to hope for.

[ErnestM]

hedgerley said: According to todays news Lotus have applied for an extension to the A pillar headroom exemption they have had for the US Esprit until 12/31/03. They say after that the V8 engine won't conform to the emmisions rules (although I thought it was the discontinued Renault gearbox that would be the demise of the Esprit) Intrigueingly the documentation mentions Project M260, its replacement, but with no details. Lets hope the next Esprit is on its way, but I guess 2004 is to early to hope for.

I believe M260 is just the internal designation for the fedaralized Elise.

However, hope springs eternal. The latest rumor (rumour) that I have heard is the Lotus are working on a "multi model" underpinning that will be the basis for the (1)Elise replacement (4 cyl with or without turbo) (2)stretched a bit for "an M250 style vehicle" (6 cyl) and (3)streteched/strengthened a bit more for the Esprit replacement (V8 TT beast)

It seems that Lotus are trying to take a page from the larger manufacturer's book. Re-use platform/engineering to conform with regs.

ErnestM

[cnh1990]

Most People I know of are looking at the Elise/Exige for a 2nd Lotus fun car or one for the wife to drive, not to replace the Esprit.
Calvin