Lotus Esprit mule (2008)

I read somewhere that part of the delay of this new Lotus Esprit was possibly the choice of the right engine. Since the Esprit model has a very long lifetime, they needed an engine with specs that would still make sence ten years later. I read somewhere that BMW is about to introduce a new generation 4.4L, direct injection V8 biturbo in their new X6 suv-coupe (or whatever) pumping out a healthy 406 bhp in standard configuration. This would probably make more a good base and a lot more sence for Lotus than using the old version (however good it was). Anyhow, I hope the wait for the new Esprit will soon be over (let's hope the final result will be close to CAR's own renderings published last year).

I drove a Morgan Aero 8 running the 286bhp BMW V8 and it went like mad in a 1000kg slab faced, cross eyed monster. Give it an aerodynamic shape and probably another 100bhp and similar weight and it would be devastating. And lets face it, a BMW drive train sounds far more exotic than a Toyota. Maybe we see a 20litre, 204 bhp diesel soon... But then I never understood why Lotus didnt strike a deal with Honda as they seem an almost perfect for each other. And yes a 50K Lotus has credibility. These guys have a great reputation for great driving machines. If Noble can do it then Lotus can waltz this too.

PT100, it's a test mule based on the Esprit. They use it to test mechanicals. The final car won't feature pop up lights as they are no longer allowed.