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.
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]