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2006 Lotus Espirt - 200MPH - Autocar Feb/2004

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by Mako99, Feb 3, 2004.

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  1. Mako99

    Mako99 Formula Junior
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    Dec 29, 2003
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    #1 Mako99, Feb 3, 2004
    A buddy just called me with the news that this month's Autocar has 12 Pages devoted to the upcoming replacement for the aging Esprit platform, including power ratings and the expected price.

    I'm trying to locate the actual mag now, here's a small cover shot:

    http://www.autocarmag.com/noncar/autocar/cover.jpg
     

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  2. wax

    wax Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 wax, Feb 3, 2004
    YES!
     
  3. allanlambo

    allanlambo F1 Rookie

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    #3 allanlambo, Feb 3, 2004
    Cant wait! It will be awesome!
     
  4. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
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    #4 tonyh, Feb 3, 2004
    Guys,
    i've got the mag.If you want a copy of story,email your address to me by PM.
    Tony
     
  5. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
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    #5 tonyh, Feb 3, 2004
    Guys,
    i'll be posting this article and will need your mailing address,pls
     

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  6. goyal99

    goyal99 Karting

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    #6 goyal99, Feb 3, 2004
    About time LOTUS is cracking the Supercar league....let's hope the reliability and build quality issues are a thing of the past...

    VK
     
  7. bostonmini

    bostonmini Formula 3

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    #7 bostonmini, Feb 3, 2004
    Im soooo down!
     
  8. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

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    #8 zjpj, Feb 3, 2004
    Hmm... new Lotus or new NSX?
     
  9. netviper

    netviper Formula Junior

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    #9 netviper, Feb 3, 2004
    What kind of engine and HP?

    Surely Honda knows they are planning this and the HSC will be competitive.
     

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  10. FerrariSlave

    FerrariSlave Guest

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    #10 FerrariSlave, Feb 3, 2004
    nice but it looks like a Gallardo on the front cover of that mag.
     
  11. lotustt

    lotustt Formula 3

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    #11 lotustt, Feb 3, 2004

    Tony, did you get my pm. I would love to read the whole article if you have it. Thanks!
     
  12. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    #12 snj5, Feb 3, 2004
    If they stay true to Lotus tradition and it is an ultra-light, minimalist, simple and ultra-nimble car that has a bit better reliability, and if I fit...I'm a buyer.
     
  13. djs308

    djs308 Formula Junior
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    #13 djs308, Feb 3, 2004
    Hmmm...it looks a lot like a Gallardo in that photo. Not that that's a bad thing, just that by 2006, or whenever it goes on sale, it may be playing "catch-up". I liked the Esprit as it is now but I guess it's time to go sometime.
     
  14. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
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    #14 RufMD, Feb 3, 2004
    Sounds like a real monster in the making...It would be nice to see an Esprit replacement, but I still doubt i would sell mine ! I'm not holding my breath though as Lotus would have to spend a ton to develop this car (although I think the Elise is going to generate some serious cash stateside). Here's a pic of my beasts....
     
  15. AtomikPunk

    AtomikPunk Rookie

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    #15 AtomikPunk, Feb 3, 2004
    Easy on the reliability bashing on Lotus, I had a 1993 Esprit for five years, not one problem. However, the Esprit needs to be retired. You can only change the body panels so many times. For 2004 it is just completely outdated. I look forward to seeing a replacement soon. but I won't let the Diablo go just yet.
     
  16. Mako99

    Mako99 Formula Junior
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    #16 Mako99, Feb 3, 2004
    Not necessarily. Honda is very slow, deliborate, and even a tad arrogant when it comes to their opinion of where the market should go versus the opinion of the consumer. Otherwise we would have seen a lot more than just minor cost efficient improvements to the NSX over the past 12 years.

    So far they've said nothing but "300PS" when talking about the HSC. Hopefully that's wrong, and hopefully 350HP is wrong too. Or perhaps the HSC will compete against cars like the Vette, and M3, which are in the sub-$60k category. That's my personal opinion, I'll state right now on the record that the next NSX will be a vette-level competitor NOT a 360-level competitor. They'll make it out of steel, price it at $55k, and give it a power level of 350HP and an overall weight of 3,000lbs.

    Honda is done attacking a demographic they have no business being in. They'll never be part of the "country club cache" over here, like it or not.
     
  17. CCarlisi

    CCarlisi Karting

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    #17 CCarlisi, Feb 4, 2004
    I wonder who will design the new car. I'm a big fan of Steven's refresh of the Esprit. Of course, who knows what it would have turned out like if he started with a clean sheet. I like the Elise, but it doesn't seem as pure or timeless to me. Frankly, I wouldn't mind if they simply cleaned up the last Esprit body (get rid of the goofy tack-on fender lips, vestige door bumper strips, 80s side view mirrors, ect).
     
  18. ty (360mode)

    ty (360mode) Formula Junior

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    #18 ty (360mode), Feb 4, 2004
    car looks beautiful!!!! kind of a smoothed out gallardo based on that one pic...
     
  19. bostonmini

    bostonmini Formula 3

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    #19 bostonmini, Feb 4, 2004
  20. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #20 parkerfe, Feb 4, 2004
    I had always thought Lotus was British not "Other Italian " ?
     
  21. CCarlisi

    CCarlisi Karting

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    #21 CCarlisi, Feb 4, 2004
    Based on its part content it's more Japanese than Italian;)
     
  22. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 TexasF355F1, Feb 4, 2004
    Didn't production just end on the Esprit?
     
  23. Alxlee

    Alxlee F1 Rookie

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    #23 Alxlee, Feb 4, 2004
    It is actually. The blue drawing is something Autocar did with a Gallardo. The red car is a Lotus image but with strong hints of the M250 project.
     
  24. lotustt

    lotustt Formula 3

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    #24 lotustt, Feb 4, 2004

    The last esprit is on the line now. should be another couple weeks and then it will be all done. It is yellow and will be the final version of this Esprit.
     
  25. TZL

    TZL Formula Junior

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    #25 TZL, Feb 4, 2004
    RufMD,

    What is the red car in the photo?

     
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