Report: Lotus delays Elan until 2016, Esprit on track for 2013
05-21-11, 01:33 PM
#1
Report: Lotus delays Elan until 2016, Esprit on track for 2013
Report: Lotus delays Elan until 2016, Esprit on track for 2013
Despite the barrage of concepts presented at the Paris Motor Show, Lotus still has lots of planning ahead as it maps out the future. Five concept vehicles were revealed in 2010:the Elan, Elise, Elite, Esprit and Eterne. We've got an update on two of them.
Car and Driver says that the Lotus Esprit should arrive by 2013. The Elan, however, has a murkier future. Forget 2013; it's been speculated that we might not see it until 2016. Blame the Lotus Evora.
Orignally, Lotus planned to shut down the Evora so that it could give way to the Elan. Now, Lotus management has decided that the Evora deserves a traditional model cycle. Should the Evora continue into a second generation, it puts the Elan's existence into question. If a second-generation Evora isn't developed, a next-generation car, then new Elan will arrive and fill in the open lineup spot.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/21/l...rack-for-2013/
06-13-11, 04:26 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Lotus Esprit Delayed; Will Get In-House V8, Shocking Price Tag
(Courtesy of Autoguide)
The new Esprit will make it to market, but not as early as Lotus had hoped. Speaking at the launch of the new Evora S model in San Jose, Lotus Cars USA PR boss Kevin Smith confirmed that due to a decision by Lotus to produce its own engine for the car, it won’t make it to market until late 2013 or even early 2014.
“The cars shown at the Paris Auto Show with the Lexus IS-F V8 will get our own V8 engine,” said Smith. Those models include the Esprit, as well as the even more exotic Elite. Smith also confirmed that development of the in-house V8 engine was already underway, and indicated that other engines are a possibility.
Making additional remarks, Smith let slip details of just how much Lotus expects to charge for these new models, and it’s a huge increase from the $76,000 Evora S. Speaking generally, he said that, “cars in the $170,000 to $200,000 range should have their own engine in them.” No clarification was given about the projected price and while $170K is certainly a huge bump over the Porsche 911 Turbo, it would be significantly less than some of the Italian exotics the Esprit would be targeted at as well.
Details about the new V8 have not been released, but there’s a strong chance it will be available with a dual-clutch transmission. “We’d like to do a manual and a dual-clutch transmission for the Esprit and now that we’re dong our own engines there’s a better chance,” said Smith. Lotus has filed a patent for a 7-speed dual-clutch unit already, so look for that to arrive in the Esprit in just over two year’s time.
“The cars shown at the Paris Auto Show with the Lexus IS-F V8 will get our own V8 engine,” said Smith. Those models include the Esprit, as well as the even more exotic Elite. Smith also confirmed that development of the in-house V8 engine was already underway, and indicated that other engines are a possibility.
Making additional remarks, Smith let slip details of just how much Lotus expects to charge for these new models, and it’s a huge increase from the $76,000 Evora S. Speaking generally, he said that, “cars in the $170,000 to $200,000 range should have their own engine in them.” No clarification was given about the projected price and while $170K is certainly a huge bump over the Porsche 911 Turbo, it would be significantly less than some of the Italian exotics the Esprit would be targeted at as well.
Details about the new V8 have not been released, but there’s a strong chance it will be available with a dual-clutch transmission. “We’d like to do a manual and a dual-clutch transmission for the Esprit and now that we’re dong our own engines there’s a better chance,” said Smith. Lotus has filed a patent for a 7-speed dual-clutch unit already, so look for that to arrive in the Esprit in just over two year’s time.
06-14-11, 10:37 AM
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This scares me. Lotus never actually designed from the ground up any of their engines, and part of their attraction today is the fact that they have a rock solid reliable Toyota powerhouse IMO.
I wouldn't love them any less, but I sure as hell wouldn't own one until they'd have proven themselves well into a second or even 3rd generation. the brits aren't exactly known for their reliability.
I wouldn't love them any less, but I sure as hell wouldn't own one until they'd have proven themselves well into a second or even 3rd generation. the brits aren't exactly known for their reliability.
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06-15-11, 01:49 AM
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This scares me. Lotus never actually designed from the ground up any of their engines, and part of their attraction today is the fact that they have a rock solid reliable Toyota powerhouse IMO.
I wouldn't love them any less, but I sure as hell wouldn't own one until they'd have proven themselves well into a second or even 3rd generation. the brits aren't exactly known for their reliability.
I wouldn't love them any less, but I sure as hell wouldn't own one until they'd have proven themselves well into a second or even 3rd generation. the brits aren't exactly known for their reliability.
06-15-11, 03:50 AM
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This scares me. Lotus never actually designed from the ground up any of their engines, and part of their attraction today is the fact that they have a rock solid reliable Toyota powerhouse IMO.
I wouldn't love them any less, but I sure as hell wouldn't own one until they'd have proven themselves well into a second or even 3rd generation. the brits aren't exactly known for their reliability.
I wouldn't love them any less, but I sure as hell wouldn't own one until they'd have proven themselves well into a second or even 3rd generation. the brits aren't exactly known for their reliability.
06-15-11, 05:41 AM
#11
Main problem is that for instance with V6, they use same Toyota transmissions, which are made for soccermom sedans so they try to tweak the software and they suck even more.
Instead of designing new engines, they should just get AISIN to provide them different transmissions for those engines, but I would guess it costs too much money.
So I dont see how them designing their own engines and sourcing transmissions again would be better than getting IS-F with that 8AT with sportshift... because it isnt.
06-15-11, 11:19 AM
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So brand the motors Lexus or Lotus/Cosworth. The Posers won't know the difference and the true enthusiast wouldn't care, because they should KNOW that Toyota makes amazing engines.
06-16-11, 01:07 AM
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Wait, exactly who is criticizing Lotus in Europe for using Toyota engines? Is it the European auto mags? Actual owners? Who?
I also agree with MR_F1. The solution is very simple, and Lotus could have badged the Toyota engines as Lotus, or Cosworth, or anything else to satisfy the badge snobs or those who are badge-conscious.
I am confident that by making their own engines, Lotus will have major reliability problems. I think the new management at Lotus doesn't know what they are getting themselves into.
I also agree with MR_F1. The solution is very simple, and Lotus could have badged the Toyota engines as Lotus, or Cosworth, or anything else to satisfy the badge snobs or those who are badge-conscious.
I am confident that by making their own engines, Lotus will have major reliability problems. I think the new management at Lotus doesn't know what they are getting themselves into.
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