Jalopnik Snap Judgement: Despite Lotus producing the Evora in a mere 21 months and they're expanding operations globally, given the size of Lotus operations under the guidance of Proton, this three-platform plan seems extremely ambitious. But the real news is still that new mid-engined supercar. Given the existing lineup, starting with a four-banger in the smallest chassis, and now the six-cylinder Evora, a V8 seems the logical next step, and a Toyota V8 at that (Toyota 4.7-liter, anyone?). Despite our fervent wishes to see the return of the Esprit, we think it's probably unlikely they'll drink from the fountain of retro, so expect yet another new "E" name to remember.

Photo credit to Autogaleria

Can you get a Ferrari project for just $5,500? As anyone who has gone car shopping on any Craigslist site from Florida to Texas for the last year can tell you: Yes, you sure can! I've been running across the infamous Eddy, Texas Ferrari (go here if the ad disappears) for as long as I've been doing Project Car Hell, because the seller just won't give up! Many readers have sent in tips on this one, and now- finally!- I'm using it. So, why can't the seller unload this genuine Ferrari 308 for even as much as a Fiero-based "Ferrari" sells for? Sad to say, this car has been "toasted." Actually, I'd say "damn near completely consumed by flames" would be a more accurate statement, but enough of the hair-splitting- this is a Ferrari for $5,500! It has an engine and transmission and at least three genuine Ferrari wheels. This project is not impossible! Yes, it needs a few parts, but think of it this way: from the very moment it clanks onto your driveway, you're a Ferrari owner (and that moment will be the last happy one you spend with your new project for many, many years).

Burned Ferrari sitting in a Texas field? Is there anything in the same price range that can compete? How about that mighty British Malaise Warrior, the Lotus Esprit? Say, one for the exact same price as the Ferrari? Not possible, you say? Check out this 1980 Lotus Esprit, (go here if the ad disappears) located in the profoundly iron-oxide-friendly state of Delaware. The wing! The stripes! The V8 engine "not in car" (and maybe not even included in the deal)! The seller describes it as "awlsome," which we're assuming is not a typo; you'll feel as though an awl is being hammered into your skull every time you try to make this car drive. The body is in "great" shape and the interior is "good," so you'll be able to concentrate on all the mechanical components in need of work (i.e., all of them). Oh, and the electricals; go ahead and console yourself that Lotus was not a British Leyland company, but the Prince of Darkness had a hand in there somewhere.

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Our love for the Lotus Esprit dates back to its appearance in The Spy Who Loved Me, and while we forget about the old girl now and then, whenever we see one, we want one all over again. We realize, of course, that this is some deranged madness. But then again, Lotuses have often been deranged, mad cars. Just ask Jim Clark, Al Navarro or the two girls in this strange long-form advert. – Davey G. Johnson

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Ooh! Hayabusa Caterham Video! [Internal]

The Dutch masters at Autovisie procured some shots of what spies say is the next Lotus Espirit. It appears to be the same test vehicle seen indoors recently. This time, it's out on the street, with its assumed BMW-sourced V8 getting a workout of some measure. We'll have to wait until 2009 or thereabouts to see the finished product, which the company's been working on since the Clinton administration. But at 2,600 pounds and nearly 400 horsepower, we're just going to assume its worth the wait. – Mike Spinelli

Exclusief: nieuwe Lotus Esprit gesnapt? [Autovisie]

Related:
Spy Photos: Lotus Esprit, Maybe? [internal]

Considering the Lotus Esprit replacement has been in development since the Clinton administration — and the only evidence we've seen has been a few test mules disguised as the previous model — these spy shots gave us a bit of the gibblies. Still, we have no idea from where AutoGespot procured these pics of what could be an in-development prototype. All we know is that it may have a BMW-sourced V8 and will likely launch in 2010. And possibly weigh as much as a sack of kittens, or so we hear. – Mike Spinelli

Spied: 2010 Lotus Esprit!! [Winding Road]

Related:
Spy Photos: Lotus Esprit Test Mule [internal]

Lotus's latest corporate newsletter has more than just snapshots from the last company pot-luck supper (cheese puffs again?). It's got a primer of the engineering process that will, one day, lead to a replacement for the long-running Esprit and the new Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) that will underpin its next-generation models. It also features sketches of prospective cars, including a GT coupe and a seven-seat crossover, which speak equally to Lotus's project outsourcing business as to its own brand. Speed through lightness through technology. How clever. – Mike Spinelli

Lotus reveals information about Esprit development [Motor Authority]

Related:
Spy Photos: Lotus Esprit Test Mule; Lotus's Master Plan: Three New Models in Five Years; Hello, My Name is Esprit: Lotus Boss Namedrops New Flagship [internal]

It's high-altitude and brake testing that sent Lotus engineers into the Alps with a test mule that's likely the new Lotus Esprit coupe. Spies caught the patchwork supercar in the mountains, in the most complete prototype of the 2009 Lotus we've seen to date. It would appear that the blokes at Hethel have chosen a powertrain too, which sources say is a BMW 4.4 or 4.8-liter V8 hooked to Lotus's own ECU. Spies also say the Esprit, which reportedly has the Ferrari F430 in its sights, will also be built in roadster form. – Mike Spinelli

SPY PHOTOS: Tesla Roadster and Lotus Esprit

Related:
Lotus's Master Plan: Three New Models in Five Years; Hello, My Name is Esprit: Lotus Boss Namedrops New Flagship [internal]

The blokes at Lotus are preparing for a veritable product blitz that will bring three new models to market in the next five years, including the new, long-awaited Esprit-replacement flagship. According to the company, the two additional models will include a vague mid-market entry set to launch in December 2008, along with a high-performance model created with Lotus parent, Malaysia's Proton, coming in May 2008. Despite rumors the Esprit flagship was coming next year, the company says the Esprit replacement's introduction has been extended to 2009 to "incorporate more Lotus 'DNA' and other enhancements to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace." Exactly. Someone must have left the barn door open.

[via World Car Fans]

Related:
Hello, My Name is Esprit: Lotus Boss Namedrops New Flagship [internal]

As PistonHeads tells it, Lotus's chief Mike Kimberley has confirmed the name of the company's Esprit-replacing flagship will be — Esprit. It's the first word from the company that the Esprit line — one of the most storied Lotus marques ever — would continue. According to PH, Kimberley said, "For Lotus to be successful we need a three model line-up and the jewel in the crown is the Esprit," to which a PR rep corrected him, with "mid-engined sports car." In other news, The Society for the Prevention of CEO Tourette's Syndrome wants a few bucks.

LOTUS ESPRIT: THE NAME'S OFFICIAL [PistonHeads]

Related:
Coming Soon, the Main Event: New Lotus "Esprit" Nears [internal]

What's a test mule other than a masquerade ball on wheels, with only the guest of honor in attendance. In this case, it's the new, long (long) awaited Lotus Esprit replacement, dressed as a Lotus Esprit. Does that mean, by default, it's the Lotus Esprit replacement? Well no, but those who are in the know say it is. And that's good enough for us. It's Friday.

Spy photos: 2008 Lotus Esprit [Edmunds Straightline Blog]

Related:
More on the Lotus Esprit [internal]

Left Lane News has the scoop on Lotus's reworked flagship, the Esprit. (The new model's been so long in the making, we'd taken to calling it Esprit de Corpse.) But Lotus's CEO Mike Kimberley now says the mid-engined supercar will arrive sometime in 2008. It'll be built at Lotus's Hethel HQ, not in some Proton facility in Malaysia, as had been rumored, and will use an all-new, all-aluminum architecture. Word is it'll use a BMW-sourced V8 for power, but that's far from confirmed.

Lotus Announces Plans for Esprit replacement [Left Lane News]

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Only for You: "For Your Eyes Only" Lotus on eBay; Coming Soon, the Main Event: New Lotus "Esprit" Nears [internal]

All this noodling about with go-karts like the Elise and Exige and Europa — not that we'd throw any of them out of bed for crying "Steve" (not our name) — has been great fun for Lotus and its acolytes. But the real show is about to begin, and its name was once Esprit. The company's been working on its newest flagship for what seems to be decades. Now, according to Autocar, the mid-engined supercar (quite literally) is nearing production. The new model is undergoing crash testing ahead of a 2008 launch. Word is a twin-turbofied, BMW-sourced V8 will provide power, and a six-speed sequential tranny will direct mechanical traffic. Hopes are running high.

Lotus's future: the new Esprit [Autocar]

Related:
More on Lotus [internal]