Paris 2010 – Lotus shows the Eterne, Esprit, Elise, Elan and Elite!
The 2010 Paris Motor Show seems to be quite a significant occasion for Lotus. The Proton-owned company has taken the opportunity to show off up to five new models which will be introduced into the world market gradually. These cars all feature Lotus’ upcoming design language with a very sharp front fascia.
Overall the vehicles look more supercar-like, compared to the more down-to-earth-like production cars in the company’s current line-up. The new cars will help bring Lotus up to the playing field of brands like Porsche and Ferrari.
These cars are being considered as concepts but we can expect final production versions to look very much similar. Lets go over them one by one, with each accompanied by an official footage.
Lotus Eterne
The Eterne is Lotus’ four door sedan which combines style, elegance and of course power. The Eterne will feature an optional hybrid drivetrain with a 5.0 liter gasoline V8 which can produce 620 PS and 720Nm of torque. The optional hybrid system will be made up by a hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS.
The vehicle will be offered in a front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive setup. However an all wheel drive layout will be offered as well. The pure combustion model will be able to hit 100km/h in 4.0 seconds flat and offer a top speed of up to 315km/h. With the hybrid system, the 1,800 kilograms vehicle will output 220 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer.
Lotus confirmed that the Eterne will be go on sale in spring 2015, after a production initiation early that year. The company also revealed an estimated price tag, of £120,000.
Lotus Esprit
The model which brings back the Esprit name will be a 2-seater, mid-engined sports car with a rear-wheel-drive layout. This coupe will be also benefit from the 620 PS/720Nm 5.0 liter V8. The Esprit will be able to do naught to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds while its top speed would be around 330km/h.
With an expected weight of 1,450 kilograms, the Esprit will also be offered with a hybrid package, which will be made up by a KERS system. CO2 emissions output with KERS is expected to be 250 grams per kilometer.
It will be available with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Esprit is set for production at the end of 2012 before its market launch in spring 2013. Pricing wise, expect it to hover over the £110,000 figure.
Lotus Elise
Just like the Esprit, the Elise is also a 2-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive model, but it will come with a smaller engine. That would be a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine that can crank out 320 PS and 330Nm of torque. 0 – 100km/h will take 4.3 seconds and top speed would touch 270km/h.
Lotus will also add a mild hybrid system with an engine start/stop technology. The Elise will be made available with either a 6-speed manual or an optional dual-clutch transmission, possibly a 7-speed unit. It will be a light weight model, with an expected weight figure of 1,095 kilograms. With the start/stop system, the Elise would output 150 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer.
Production is slated to start in early 2015 with a market launch in spring that year. Expected price tag: £35,000, which is more down-to-earth compared to the earlier two models. Then again, this would be the company’s back-to-basics sports car.
Lotus Elan
Lotus has revived yet another classic name. The new Elan will be a 2-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive coupe as well, but there will be an option for a 2+2 seating arrangement. Compared to the Elise, the Elan will make use of a larger engine, which is a 4.0 liter V6 with 450 PS and 465Nm of torque.
The Elan will hit the 100km/h mark in 3.5 seconds while top speed would top 310km/h. Again, there will also be a hybrid technology, in the form of KERS. With this, the Elan would output 199 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer. The 1,295 kilograms vehicle will be offered with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Production will likely start in summer 2013 with a market introduction in autumn the same year. The Lotus Elan would carry an estimated price tag of £75,000.
Lotus Elite
As mentioned previously when details of the Elite was first released, it will feature the 5.0 liter V8 with 620 PS and 720Nm of torque. There will also be an option for a hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS. 0 – 100km/h would take between 3.5 and 3.7 seconds with an expected top speed of 315km/h. This Elite will measure 1,650 kilograms and with the hybrid pack, it will output 215 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer.
This rear-wheel-drive vehicle will go into production in early 2014. It is expected to go on sale in spring the same year with an estimated price tag of £115,000. This model will feature a retractable hard top.
The engines and transmissions that will be offered with the models above are likely to be sourced from a different company, with rumors saying that the 5.0 liter V8 would be a BMW engine. It could be Toyota’s as well, only time will tell.
Continue reading to check out an image gallery. You can also view live images of the models here.
Lotus Eterne
Lotus Esprit
Lotus Elise
Lotus Elan
Lotus Elite
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment