RE: Lotus Confirm New Esprit

RE: Lotus Confirm New Esprit

Wednesday 1st January 2003

Lotus Confirm New Esprit

But you'll have to be patient


Author
Discussion

ErnestM

Original Poster:

11,621 posts

274 months

Wednesday 1st January 2003
quotequote all

says it all really


ErnestM

benfell100

8,763 posts

267 months

Wednesday 1st January 2003
quotequote all
Yippee ! ! ! !

DanH

12,287 posts

267 months

Wednesday 1st January 2003
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Wheres the legit press release on this? Very odd day to announce something.

bacchus

601 posts

291 months

Wednesday 1st January 2003
quotequote all
So we have got to wait until +/-2004.... hope it's not another bloody facelift

Child0fthecorn

94 posts

263 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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Considering the age of the Esprit now I doubt it will be just a facelift (at least I hope its not just a face lift) but you can never tell. I hope Lotus can do what Porsche did with the 911 and update the car but still retain its essence and character and all those other things that make the car so great.

lotusguy

1,798 posts

264 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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Hi all,

I agree with DanH, what's the source of this article? Who is their source... the CEO or Director of Design? Or is it the Night Watchman in Hethel? One of the frustrations with Lotus is that they are always surrounded by more rumour than fact. Add to that the number of 'Announced' projects Lotus has simply stopped in their tracks and my confidence level is best described as 'Underwhelming'.

That aside, I do hope they do not simply slide the name 'Esprit' under some newly penned design. It would be difficult to enhance the reputation or the history of the current car, and I would be afraid that any such attempt would merely dilute the Legend.

Lotus is a great engineering company, capable of designing yet another great car and I hope they do. But, when/if they do, I also hope that they christen it with a name of it's own (there are so many good names starting with 'E' yet to be used) so another stablemate can be added to the prestigious line-up from the past. The Esprit deserves to stand alone and not have to share it's name and reputation with an entirely new car to come...Jim '85TE

>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 2nd January 06:15

bacchus

601 posts

291 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all
yes I think you are right. But are we still talking about two new cars??? Or is the m250/260 the "new" Esprit?

DanH

12,287 posts

267 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all

Well there have been rumours of something for a while on the Elise BBS by various people claiming to be insiders. We'll see I guess. Personally I'd like to see an M260.

ErnestM

Original Poster:

11,621 posts

274 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all

DanH said:
Well there have been rumours of something for a while on the Elise BBS by various people claiming to be insiders. We'll see I guess. Personally I'd like to see an M260.


M260 is the internal Lotus designation for the feralized Elise program. According to a recent brochure that I received from LCUSA, it looks like the federal Elise will be based on the 111s variant.

ErnestM

lotusbmw

38 posts

291 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all
Dan H wrote...
Wheres the legit press release on this? Very odd day to announce something

Dan,

It is the official press release that is going out for the Los Angeles auto show.


PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all
The release we got came from Lotus' PR department.

LotusV8

2,591 posts

291 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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Well this is certainly good news. Although I do hope they do not undermine the character of the Esprit.

Personally there can never be another Esprit variant in my mind. The Esprit to me will always be the flat wedge phenomenom that we have all come to Love.

I can only hope they do not create a round bubble like vehicle. I say to Lotus, whichever way you go with a new Esprit, or a new vehicle with a new name, please make sure it is a Lotus at heart!

paulnederland

42 posts

287 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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I would think that a V8 will find its way into the new Esprit. Maybe they would introduce a 6 cylinder version? You’d think that the top-level engine for the Elise would be the entry-level engine for the new Esprit? Maybe add turbo.

lotusguy

1,798 posts

264 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all

PetrolTed said: The release we got came from Lotus' PR department.


Ted,

Why not post the press release? The quote above appears to be a summary or paraphrase...Jim '85TE

peteox

9 posts

271 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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what ever they build, I hope it is in the tradition of the esprit. Similar design updated for the future, With performance on par with the 360, 996TT. great leather interior

LotusV8

2,591 posts

291 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all

peteox said: what ever they build, I hope it is in the tradition of the esprit. Similar design updated for the future, With performance on par with the 360, 996TT. great leather interior



I agree.

ErnestM

Original Poster:

11,621 posts

274 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all
I'm not much for being able to use graphics programs, but I am hoping for something along the lines of:





ErnestM

Thom

2,745 posts

280 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
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Since the M250 debacle I have been crossing my fingers.

I guess Elise sales in the US will have an important role to play in the decision to build this "new Esprit" or not...

Thom

2,745 posts

280 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all

ErnestM said: I am hoping for something along the lines of...

Oh dear, this reminds me of the recent Cadillac wedges


>> Edited by Thom on Thursday 2nd January 20:37

flasher

9,238 posts

291 months

Thursday 2nd January 2003
quotequote all
Thom

Please change your nickname to "Mr Negative" immediatley....