Easy folks, the new Lotus Europa is coming, just not the same one we've heard. According to sources at Lotus, a set of spy photos reportedly of the company's new Europa GT coupe aren't what they appear to be. According to the UK's PistonHeads, sources at the company say the car in question is a version of the Lotus Elise that will be marketed by the company's parent, Proton in Malaysia (and, to court another rumor, will be the next-generation US model, built in Malaysia). The spy car is a twin seater, where the Europa — due at the end of 2007 as a 2008 model — will be a 2+2. What's more, reports have indicated that the Europa would share GM's 2.2-liter Ecotec engine with the Pontiac Solstice, a rumor PH reports is pure fiction; the car will have an equally well-mannered, but far more upscale powerplant.
Lotus Europa spy shots are wrong [PistonHeads]
Related:
Lotus to Go After Porsche Cayman with Europa [internal]