Next Generation Esprit......!
Discussion
I saw a mule testing at Millbrook on Monday this week.
It was heavily camouflaged, but you could still see that the mule was using the old model doors and roof line. The front and rear were obviously disguised using hard plastic sheet.
But the rear overhang was very short, and the front very low.
The front side lights / indicator looked very similar to the new Europa, but that might just be used for the mule.
It had twin pipes at the back widely spaced.
Unfortunately you could not hear the engine note too well, as there seemed to be a heat shield or under tray rattle when it started up.
It was caged and the driver and passenger had helmets on, so either handling or >130mph testing was in progress.
That’s all I know, I'm afraid.
135sport said:
I saw a mule testing at Millbrook on Monday this week.
It was heavily camouflaged, but you could still see that the mule was using the old model doors and roof line. The front and rear were obviously disguised using hard plastic sheet.
But the rear overhang was very short, and the front very low.
The front side lights / indicator looked very similar to the new Europa, but that might just be used for the mule.
It had twin pipes at the back widely spaced.
Unfortunately you could not hear the engine note too well, as there seemed to be a heat shield or under tray rattle when it started up.
It was caged and the driver and passenger had helmets on, so either handling or >130mph testing was in progress.
That’s all I know, I'm afraid.
So how did you get to see that ??? I thought Millbrook was, like, top secret and you couldn't get to see anything. I didn't think members of the public could get to see stuff. I'll bet that was pretty cool to see it in the flesh before anyone else. What do you reckon was in the engine bay V8, V10, N/A, Turbo???? Did you manage to get any photo's ??
Talking to guys from the factory and they were fairly tight lipped. Rumours are BMW v8 but bmw didn't want them to redo the mapping so now people are suggesting alpina modified V8. This follows as I know someone who works for BMW and his mate in Germany send out engines for customers and he hadn't sent any to Lotus. Rumoured to have a bimmer sister car and something's testing on the autobahns near Munich.
Heard the styling is signed off - Ferrari front, lambo rear 911 price tag. So wedgy italian looks (like the original) and 400bhp - it's gonna be a corker....
Heard the styling is signed off - Ferrari front, lambo rear 911 price tag. So wedgy italian looks (like the original) and 400bhp - it's gonna be a corker....
lawrence5 said:Sounds like back to the days when Giugiaro styled both BMW M1 and original Esprit, not that there was much similarity beneath the wedgy mid-engined lines.
Rumoured to have a bimmer sister car....
If there really is a Bimmer twin they must be praying hard for better sales than VX220. I guess Z8 could usefully be replaced with the benefit of shared design costs if BMW want to have a counter to Audi's Lambos, Fiat's Ferraris, Ford's GT, Chrysler's Viper, GM's Corvette Z06, Merc's SLR etc etc.
ErnestM said:
A little teaser I found on the internet...
ErnestM
They look like the old Ferrari wheels they used on the 512 TR Testarossa? How exciting though, that will hopefully have a nice sound to it then if its going to have the fettled Alpina V8, i wonder if they'll make something of the exhuast as the main complaint on the original Esprit V8 was that the engine noise didn't go with the car. I'm hoping they along the same lines as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati with a Tubi style of system. I'm not saying use Tubi but get that distinct sound, its what people love about sports cars.
Good to its a credible photo though, you can see the Alumnium Chassis etc etc. Just have to keep our eyes peeled for the next piccy then!!!
Dodgey_Rog said:
A little teaser I found on the internet...
ErnestM
Good to its a credible photo though, you can see the Alumnium Chassis etc etc. Just have to keep our eyes peeled for the next piccy then!!!
What aluminium chassis !!! It looks more like a steel box section chassis to me when you look at what's showing. Although this is just the transmission cradle. I can't see this having the new VVA chassis, it looks too much like a standard car. i would have thought a mule built on the VVA chassis would be a bit more rough and ready.
This piccie is pretty much the same as one that came out a year-or-so ago of a blue test mule. If so, it doesn't look like things are moving on at great pace !!.
Although, the one spotted at millbrook does sound a little more interesting, anyone got any more info.....i'm intrigued !!
sumbloke said:
I saw a mule testing at Millbrook on Monday this week.
It was heavily camouflaged, but you could still see that the mule was using the old model doors and roof line. The front and rear were obviously disguised using hard plastic sheet.
But the rear overhang was very short, and the front very low.
The front side lights / indicator looked very similar to the new Europa, but that might just be used for the mule.
It had twin pipes at the back widely spaced.
Unfortunately you could not hear the engine note too well, as there seemed to be a heat shield or under tray rattle when it started up.
It was caged and the driver and passenger had helmets on, so either handling or >130mph testing was in progress.
That’s all I know, I'm afraid.
So how did you get to see that ??? I thought Millbrook was, like, top secret and you couldn't get to see anything. I didn't think members of the public could get to see stuff. I'll bet that was pretty cool to see it in the flesh before anyone else. What do you reckon was in the engine bay V8, V10, N/A, Turbo???? Did you manage to get any photo's ??
My work takes me to Millbrook several times a week on average, therefroe I get to see all sorts testing, and often long before any of the car rags have supposedly got their scoop.
No pictures, sorry. I would loose my job if caught with a camera in the wrong place.
ErnestM said:
A little teaser I found on the internet...
ErnestM
The mule at Millbrook had a similar exposed rear end, but I think the tail pipes were further apart than in these pictures.
I keep my eyes, and ears, open whenever I am there, so if something new comes along I will post here.
Nothing new here.....
www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots/Spy_Shots_08_Lotus_Esprit.S178.A10606.html
(copy and paste)
And the 'artisit's impression' really should have stayed in his head.....that must have taken 5 seconds to come up with such an unimaginative (and I suspect inaccurate) idea of 'how it might look'.
teigan said:
the perspective and reflection on one of the headlamps is entirely wrong. and the guy still signed his name to it. i'll have to apologise if the real car is also deformed on one side.
Yeah, i think we all know its a rendering, just amazing how they seem to think they can get away with it. Sources say the final design is a closely guarded secret and anyone who says they've seen it is probably lying. As with the Europa S when those spy shots got out, they were taken by someone who worked in the factory with a camera phone. They won't make the same mistake twice.
ErnestM said:
A little teaser I found on the internet...
ErnestM
ErnestM
Is it possible that that is just a test mule for some engine development that Lotus are doing, rather than specifically a mule for the new Esprit engine?
The combined rumours that the Esprit will have a BMW 'sister' car and that BMW won't be supplying the engine for the Esprit are a bit weird. It seems that Lotus would have the poorest end of the deal as BMW (unlike Vauxhall with the VX220) is seen as a high end brand, and would get a lot of respect for a car based on Lotus chassis technology.
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