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**11:01 AM** on Mon Jun 30 2008 By Ben Wojdyla 5,067 views, 13 comments

2010 Lotus Eagle Teases Us Ahead Of British Motor Show

We've spent months seeing the 2010 Lotus Eagle in get-ups ranging from an old Lotus Esprit mule to an homage to the caped crusader with makeup and heavy camo obscura. Now, thanks to a single image making its way onto the internet by way of Lotus, we're now finally get our first idea of the Eagle's real shape. The teaser shot hints at a surprisingly Elise-like hood and headlight treatment. Visible under the shroud of Lotus, the sharp fenders and slanted headlight treatment are clearly visible, as is the center hood spine over the front mounted radiator outlets. More »

**12:00 PM** on Tue May 13 2008 By Wes Siler 1,738 views, 33 comments

industry news

Spyker, Lotus Join Forces

Future Spyker models will be built on Lotus platforms and share many of their parts thanks to a deal made earlier today. The Parts and Platform Commonality agreement should be good news for the troubled Dutch sportscar maker, meaning much of their development cost will be carried by troubled English sportscar maker, Lotus. The timing is especially good for Spyker, as it means they'll be able to take advantage of the forthcoming Eagle and Esprit models. More »

custom cars

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

This is one of those rare occasions where the most appropriate reaction to an engine transplant is to stand from your chair, and begin a slow clap of awe-inspired appreciation. It takes a certain kind of bonkers maniac to wrest the 2.2 liter 4-cylinder Lotus engine and Citroen gearbox from an otherwise impeccable example of a 1981 Lotus Esprit and install a monster German V8 of aluminum und schteel. Follow along in forum format as our hero goes about the heart transplant, and wonder in awe as he custom machines parts for the beast. We want to be like him when we grow up. [Motorgeek]

3:40 PM on Fri Apr 4 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
6,737 views, 68 comments

Latest by n/a: Lotus/Audi V-8 vs. Fiero/Caddilac V-8? Which would win? more »

**5:15 PM** on Wed Apr 2 2008 By Murilee Martin 4,200 views, 73 comments

While the 8-door '57 Chrysler limo almost beat out the stretched Ferrari 400i limo in our last Choose Your Eternity poll (and what an upset of reigning PCH Superpower, Italy, that would have been!), V12 power and Italian build quality seem to have triumphed over fins and rust. Today we need to see how Italy fares against its fellow PCH Superpower, Great Britain (with the winner moving on to take on France, of course). And, just to make things more fun, we're going with some serious Malaise machinery today, because Euro-Malaise is inherently cool-yet-hellish.
More »

**12:00 PM** on Wed Feb 20 2008 By Mark Arnold 4,147 views, 78 comments

Each week we'll let two silver screen automotive icons face off and let you decide which stays and which one goes home, tailpipe between their legs. That's right, it's like an online Thunderdome — except without the death thing. We call it the "Star Car Shootout." Let's get ready to rumble.

Recently we told you about the Rinspeed sQuba, a vehicle which blatantly mimics 007's Lotus Esprit submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me. And while the scuba-diving Elise is pretty cool, it just doesn't compare to James Bond's original Lotus-sub when it comes to the "cool" factor. Which got us thinking: Sure, the Q-branch Esprit is one of the most famous movie cars ever, but just how cool is it? Superstar fame does not equate coolness; some people find infamy or obscurity much cooler. For instance, let's compare the Esprit to another wedge-shaped supercar that's capable of crossing a body of water: the Lamborghini Countach from the film Speed Zone. But before you make a knee-jerk decision, watch the clips below:
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**5:00 PM** on Thu Feb 7 2008 By Murilee Martin 7,013 views, 87 comments

Sometimes you need to ask yourself: How bad do I need a Ferrari? Actually, in Project Car Hell, the question goes: How bad can a Ferrari project be? Either way, the problem with Ferraris is that most of them are so expensive that you're spared the torment of actually owning one... that is, until now. We've managed to round up a couple of Ferrari deals that cost less than most Fiero-based Ferrari-influenced kit cars, and one of them even comes with a bonus Lotus Esprit! More »

**5:30 PM** on Thu Aug 9 2007 By Murilee Martin 4,390 views, 55 comments

Yesterday, we saw a slight majority of you go for the Volvo Bertone as your eternal vehicular companion in the Wrenching Underworld. Thing is, though both are certainly cool, neither a 200-series Volvo nor a fairly straight Ford wagon would really punish you sufficiently to provide that "going through hell for your cool car project" feeling we strive for. To remedy that, we've got a couple of real challenges lined up...
More »

**1:30 PM** on Tue Jul 24 2007 By Ray Wert 5,037 views, 4 comments

spy photos

2009 Lotus Esprit

The Dutch boys over at AUTOGESPOT snapped up some pictures last week from a Lotus forum of what appears to be a camo-ed 2009 Lotus Esprit. We don't really understand what they wrote, but it looks like they're expecting the '09 to drop at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show. As far as the engine, we're hearing it'll be a 4.8-liter V8 via BMW, and the folks at the "GESPOT" think it'll have in excess of 400 HP. [via AUTOGESPOT]

**6:30 PM** on Fri Jul 20 2007 By Davey G. Johnson 1,686 views, 21 comments

classic top gear

Clarkson on the Lotus Esprit

With a new Esprit on something resembling the horizon, we started getting nostalgic for the old S1 and S2. Which, were our pockets lined with a modicum of dosh, could get us in some serious, serious, unthinkable trouble. Meanwhile, here's a Top Gear clip from the first season featuring Jezza and the Stig whirling one of the last examples of the line around Dunsfold airfield, as well as a discussion of the merits of pop-up headlights.

**10:00 PM** on Thu Mar 8 2007 By Davey G. Johnson 929 views, 5 comments

retro

Complicate and Add Ballast: 007's Lotus Sub

It's funny, because it's not been that long since The Spy Who Loved Me last crossed the television screen at the abode of Jalop Johnson. But we constantly romanticize the Lotus submarine, when in reality, the scene is kind of wooden and lame. Still, it's a Lotus submarine! We've always been perplexed at how the fish got into the car, though. – Davey G. Johnson More »

**5:45 PM** on Thu Mar 8 2007 By Davey G. Johnson 983 views, 10 comments

retro

Surreal Lotus Esprit Clip

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 More »

**9:34 AM** on Fri Feb 23 2007 By Mike Spinelli 1,879 views, 3 comments

spy photos

Spy Photos: More on the New Lotus Esprit

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 More »

**9:38 AM** on Thu Feb 8 2007 By Mike Spinelli 1,189 views, 4 comments

spy photos

Spy Photos: Lotus Esprit, Maybe?

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 More »

**9:07 AM** on Fri Dec 8 2006 By Mike Spinelli 172 views, 5 comments

news

Esprit d'Corps: Lotus Newsletter Highlights Plans

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 More »

**9:55 AM** on Tue Oct 10 2006 By Mike Spinelli 1,087 views, 7 comments

spy photos

Spy Photos: Lotus Esprit Test Mule

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 More »

**1:11 PM** on Thu Sep 21 2006 By Mike Spinelli 2,526 views, 9 comments

news

Lotus's Master Plan: Three New Models in Five Years

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. More »

**3:00 PM** on Wed Aug 30 2006 By Davey G. Johnson 331 views, 4 comments

news

Brats, Vin, Spaghetti, Four-Bangers and Low-Calorie Mash: Vintage Lotus Adverts

We love Lotus. We love the odd designs, we love the sheer randomness of the cars and their penchant for finding obscure words that begin with the letter E. (Seriously, who thought "Eclat" was a good name for a car? It sounds like a bowel dysfunction.) We love the Seven because it's like a well-endwed featherweight bear, if such a thing could possibly exist. We love the Esprit because it fires missiles and can travel underwater. We love the Elise because who else has the guts anymore to build such a raw vehicle and not feel the need to apologize for it? More »

**8:29 AM** on Fri Aug 4 2006 By Mike Spinelli 234 views, 7 comments

gossip

Hello, My Name is Esprit: Lotus Boss Namedrops New Flagship

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. More »

Jalopnik

Production 2010 Chevy Camaro Revealed!

Gawker Media Network

Esprit

2010 Lotus Eagle Teases Us Ahead Of British Motor Show

Spyker, Lotus Join Forces

Maniac Transplants Audi 4.2-Liter V8 Into 1981 Lotus Esprit

PCH, Superpower Malaise Showdown: 1978 Ferrari 308 or 1980 Lotus Esprit?

Cannonball Lambo or Bond's Lotus? Which Is Cooler?

PCH, Cheap Ferrari Edition: 365 or 308GTS Plus Bonus Esprit?

Project Car Hell: Toasted Esprit or Hacked 442?

2009 Lotus Esprit

Clarkson on the Lotus Esprit

Complicate and Add Ballast: 007's Lotus Sub

Surreal Lotus Esprit Clip

Spy Photos: More on the New Lotus Esprit

Spy Photos: Lotus Esprit, Maybe?

Esprit d'Corps: Lotus Newsletter Highlights Plans

Spy Photos: Lotus Esprit Test Mule

Lotus's Master Plan: Three New Models in Five Years

Brats, Vin, Spaghetti, Four-Bangers and Low-Calorie Mash: Vintage Lotus Adverts

Hello, My Name is Esprit: Lotus Boss Namedrops New Flagship

Production 2010 Chevy Camaro Revealed!

Gawker Media Network

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