2006 Lotus Espirt - 200MPH - Autocar Feb/2004

Perfect, that's the Autocar piece in it's entirety. Thanks!

And to all those debating the "Other Italian" thing, I got a little tiny question for ya:




WHO GIVES A ****, NERDS!

 

The piece mentions that a bit, saying that the Lotus staff have adopted a "save the wedge" motif for the next Esprit. A wedge is never a bad thing.

Here are the bullet points from the article that are of any substance:

• It will use a longitudinally mounted engine, probably a forced-induction V8, mounted behind the occupants' heads, possibly supplied by Toyota.

• The car's 1300kg weight and 1900mm width targets will make it a very agile car. Lotus is already admitting its dimensions will probably allow a return to racing for the quickest versions. The old Esprit did well in both European GT and SCCA racing well along in its career, thanks to fine handling and low weight.

• The two-seat supercar's launch is probably being planned for Geneva 2006, because the original production Esprit made its debut there in 1975.

• Package efficiency will be a higher priority in the new Lotus models than ever before. Though proud of its heritage, the modern Lotus company is sick of its reputation as a producer of cars for occupants of 5ft 7in (Colin Chapman's height). Richard Rackham has carefully tracked research into the increasing stature of sports car customers and believes one of VVA's key benefits is to improve ease of entry and egress, one of the chief criticisms of the Elise and Exige.