The legend is back! Lotus has unveiled today the new Esprit sports car. Described as the "ultimate Lotus," the new Esprit will go into production at the end of 2012, with first deliveries beginning in late 2013, early 2014. Lotus announced an estimated price of �110,000 ($175,000 at the current rates).
The 2013 Esprit will be powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that delivers an impressive 620 HP and 720 NM of torque. With a weight of 1450 kilos, the new Esprit will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3,4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 205 mph.
"One has to be very careful when taking on the challenge of reinventing such an iconic classic as the Esprit ? everyone has an opinion. There?s a fine balance between acknowledging the greatness of the past whilst at the same time rapidly leaping forward to the future and ensuring that this car not only does the name Esprit justice but also the Lotus brand. I think we?ve managed to find the balance and in doing so created a new icon, a car people will find hard to resist."
UPDATE 06/13/2011: During the recent unveiling of the Evora S model in San Jose, Lotus Cars USA PR boss, Kevin Smith, has confirmed that the Esprit supercar will indeed be put into production, but not before late 2013 or even early 2014. Lotus is going to need that extra time to drop in their an in-house V8 engine and to ensure that the vehicle has both a manual and a dual-clutch transmission.
As previously reported, Lotus’ in-house V8 engine will will deliver between 550 - 570 HP and will be used for both the Esprit and, as Smith confirmed, an even more exotic Elite. (AutoGuide)
Press release after the jump.
Lotus Esprit originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 13 June 2011 15:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/lotus/2014-lotus-esprit-ar97358.html
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