Anyone considering a 2006 Lotus Esprit over a F430

That is not an Official Lotus drawing. What it will look like is still up in the air. We can only hope they have the next "Esprit" ready by 06. MOst likely 07. Hopefully we see the concept like planned in 05 at Geneva.

 

looks like a gallardo had sex with the 612 to me.

 

I don't think any of us will see that car for years...

Maybe but I don't think so..

 

the money...

The MONEY...

Where will they get the money???

It's very rare to watch a company drop an Exotic car and then hope it comes back.

I hope it does!

 

Yes.

 

Mark, don't forget the Elise and Vauxhalll/opel VX220 has been a huuuuggggeee sucess in the low end sportscar market in Europe, with all those sales and the revenues from large amounts of engineering work for other manufacturers add to that all the in house expertise in low volume production, it's not going to be that hard for Lotus to find the cash to produce the new car,
If it's as well built as a Ferrari and cost's the same as a 997 I'll certainley be on waiting list

 

HA HA HA!!!

They stopped making the Esprit some years ago, right?

 

The Esprit is an awesome car no doubt.
No problem. But no I do not have any official pics yet and that I know of no one does but Lotus at this time. That picture is a photoshop rendition of what could be the next Esprit based on a magazine that "talked" to a few insiders at Lotus. As you can see it was first a Gallardo photoshopped with some differences. As for a couple other questions. The Esprit in its final iteration last rollled off the line in March 04 for U.S. cars. And in late 03 for European versions. As in a few other posts ive responded to in the past, yes Lotus Engineering worked on and designed the A.M Vanquish Chassis as well as tons of other work for manufacturers. Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering are 2 separate companies under the Lotus group. They do not share profits or losses. Each makes its own money or losses. Lotus Engineering is very profitable and has been for quite sometime. Lotus Cars has not but just this past quarter Lotus Cars has posted its first profit in a long time. So things should continue to move forward now that the Elise is moving stateside. Yes the Elise has been selling successfully for years now in europe as well as Lotus building the vauxhall/opel under contract for GM. Lotus Cars builds vehicles to help showcase there engineering talents. The Esprit was awesome and the Elise is awesome as well. There is some talk of Lotus using a BMW engine with twin turbo's again. But some rumor of a Toyota V8 as well. If were lucky Lotus will redesign there own V8 again.

 

tt, i do not see why Lotus cars cannot use Lotus Engineering to make a kick a$$ car...

 

the problem with lotus cars..... depreciation. rather pony up for the ferrari. i know i won't completely lose my shirt.

ps i now it's not an investment, etc. blah blah blah

would likely be a nice buy 2 yrs outta intro.

 

Omar, Lotus Cars makes cars to showcase Lotus Engineering. So yes they do share info and engineering expertise. But they still operate as seperate entities under the whole Lotus Group. They do not criss cross when it comes to profits, losses or expenses.

 

The final edition of the Lotus Esprit was the 2004 model year.

 

I find it hard to believe, without the facts to back up your claim that Lotus posted a profit last quarter. I mean, how can such a small company introduce a new model into the market and yet remain profitable?
The last time I checked Lotus has delivered ONE Elise to a customer in the N. American Hasn't Lotus been circling the drain for years? Until Lotus can reliably produce the Elise for a number of years in adequate amounts, and retain the interest in the product, then they should have the funds to produce a sucessor to the Esprit.

 

Have you read everything I wrote??

 

Yes I did and that is why I replied questioning Lotus Cars profitability.
What I'm not questioning is the photoshop, we all know the Esprits successor will vary from what was posted.

 

Derek; to give you an idea as to the success of Lotus in NA, we have sold all of our Final Edition Lotus Esprits thus far, including the last Esprit that was ever built, and at or dealership alone, we have over 240 deposits and are sold out for two years with the Elise, which begin customer deliveries this week.

 

This is from autocar 2003. I cant find the most recent statement about the last quarter. At this time do not remmeber where i read it. But here is this quote.

"In an Autocar interview this week, deputy chairman Victor Kiam revealed the company is now making an operating profit to fund new models"


Lotus is making it happen!

 

a lotus esprit is a great handling car great looking and i bet a lot of ferrari owners have had one before they could afford a ferrari in 1976 when the esprit was launched what was the best ferrari out then a 308 and i know which looked the most exotic lotus

 

I know the success that Lotus has with the Elise as we are a Lotus franchise that also has over a two year waiting list. That doesn't automatically equate to being in the black suddenly, there are monumental costs to introducing a new car to the market.

 

No. They stopped production this year.

 

Question Posted: Anyone considering a 2006 Lotus Esprit over a F430?
Response: No.

 

Please Lord!! Let them use the BMW engine!! Lotus can't afford to make a new engine AND a tranny.... The BMW tuned by Lotus would be perfect! I think that combo would finally be the way to get Lotus back into the supercar biz.