Lotus Esprit: the name's official
Hethel boss slips out naming decision
Lotus' third, high-end performance model will be called the Esprit, according to Lotus boss Mike Kimberley during an exclusive interview for PistonHeads.
The Hethel-based hasn't officially announced the name of the old Esprit's replacement yet even although everyone outside the company's been calling it the Esprit. But Kimberley let it slip during the fascinating interview, which we'll be publishing in full soon.
Kimberley said: "For Lotus to be successful we need a three model line-up and the jewel in the crown is the Esprit; it always was." PistonHeads' interviewer noted that the PR man cringed and reminded Kimberley that what he meant to say was 'the mid-engined sports car', as no decision has officially been made about the name yet.
Kimberley also defended Lotus' decision to produce the Europa. "Some people are criticising the Europa but the fact is that there are a lot of people out there who want a sports car they can drive every day – to not do the Europa would be to deny Lotus access to a market five times bigger than the one we're currently in."
I think people are criticisng the Europa S for its styling, not for the concept and market it's aimed at. I don't doubt a large market exists for a more comfortable mid-range sportscar. I am just disappointed they haven't been more adventurous with the styling, especially as the M250 thing was so well received. What has come out looks like a Proton version of an Elise.
Agreed about the styling of the Europa (in pictures) but I believe it is much more aggressive and in keeping in real life. You have to see it in the flesh to judge. My dealer has a demonstrator coming soon.
I think it was assumed that Elise lovers wouldn't like it but then it wasn't aimed at them in a marketing sense. It is designed to capture another segment of sports coupe drivers such as Boxter/S2000 etc (I think) that needed a more practical car than an Elise.
It will get Lotus into a bigger market and that is a very good thing.
I do agree also about the M250 which was a stunner.
CET
They lost me as a potential purchaser with the styling. I might save some pennies for the new Esprit though, if I don't stay loyal and wait for the NSX replacement.
In regards to a comment about the new NSX, I actually work for Honda and, as far as I know, it will not be brought into the UK.
(All opinions are my own and have no bearing on any Employee of Lotus)
So what will this "model" Esprit be called? The Esprit Series 5? The Esprit Series 6? (The V8s didn't have a series number but may retrospectively become known as the Series 5 along with the Esprit GT3) Will it be known as the Type XXX Esprit where XXX is its 3-number type-designation? Whatever it is, I look forward to seeing it in production
cheers
cet
Oke, here they come, taken some picture's from it to share, they are done by the famous Dutch car designer "Michiel van den Brink" thanks Michiel love them!
here the "new" real esprit looking Lotus Esprit;
and here the "new" 2+2 Lotus Excel;
your the first to know
GTRene
These new pics posted above don't match anything else we've been shown.
They lost me as a potential purchaser with the styling. I might save some pennies for the new Esprit though, if I don't stay loyal and wait for the NSX replacement.
If you're in the market for the Esprit or NSX, I doubt you're in the market for the Europa. Like the Elise this is 'my first sportscar' territory, not the 'serious pistonhead' market segment. Personally, I think the styling is appropriate for that - not too challenging, but by all accounts having some real presence in the flesh.
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