LOTUS Esprit Concept (2010)

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The most eagerly anticipated Lotus makes its return. Without doubt, this is the car that the true Lotus aficionados have been waiting for: The ultimate Lotus.

The new Lotus Esprit represents the very essence of exclusive supercar driving. It picks up and exceeds the legacy of it's forefathers. Think of it as a statement of superiority. Think of it as Lotus CEO Dany Bahar's personal statement of intent, his vision for the future of Lotus.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: "The Lotus Esprit is the ultimate supercar. In the past when people thought of the Esprit, they thought of the movies, Bond, Pretty Woman, Basic Instinct but this time around, the car is the star of the show."

"One has to be very careful when taking on the challenge of reinventing such an iconic classic as the Lotus Esprit - everyone has an opinion. There's a fine balance between acknowledging the greatness of the past whilst at the same time rapidly leaping forward to the future and ensuring that this car not only does the name Esprit justice but also the Lotus brand. I think we've managed to find the balance and in doing so created a new icon, a car people will find hard to resist."

"Not only does the Lotus Esprit look incredible but it has the performance to match. We've stuck to the Lotus core values of performance through lightweight and teamed them with future technology and exceptional engineering to ensure that the Esprit will be the leader of the pack. The design is aggressive, you have to see it to appreciate how low and wide the proportions are but it still retains a level of dignity, of class and most of all exclusivity. I'm very proud of this car."

Powered by a 5.0 litre V8 pressure charged engine delivering up to 620 PS, the Lotus Esprit retains exceptional performance through it's unique lightweight design making it the ultimate expression of Lotus supercar ownership. It is the supercar that will redefine ride and handling, performance, comfort and exclusivity.

The styling of the Lotus Esprit echoes the performance with strong lines throughout the sleek low body. The symmetry through the mass and proportion of the Lotus Esprit give it an intense look, it's the perfect example of the new Lotus DNA in action.

The Lotus Esprit is more than an evolution, it's a redefinition.

Specification

= Layout: 2 seater, mid-engined, rear wheel drive
= Engine: Petrol, hybrid optional
= Hybrid technology: Optional KERS
= Cylinder: V8
= Capacity: 5.0 litre
= Power/Torque: 620 PS / 720 Nm
= Rev limit: 8,500 rpm
= 0-100 km/h: 3.4 seconds
= Top speed: 330 km/h
= CO2/km: 250 g/km (using optional hybrid technology)
= Weight: 1,450 kg
= Seats: 2
= Transmission: 7 Speed DCT
= Drive: RWD
= Start of production: End of 2012
= Enters the market: Spring 2013
= Price indication: Circa £110,000.

2010 LOTUS Evora 414E Hybrid Concept

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The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept, so-named because this latest environmentally-focused technology demonstrator from Lotus Engineering produces 414 PS (306 kW) of power, promises breathtaking performance from a highly efficient propulsion system. The concept showcases new developments in plug-in, range-extended electric propulsion, new electronic technologies to enhance driver involvement, the adaptability of the Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) that underpins the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid and a dramatic new roof system and interior concept from Lotus Design. Through all of these aspects it ultimately demonstrates the exceptional ability of Lotus Engineering to integrate and develop advanced technologies for exciting, efficient, high performance niche vehicles.

The range extended electric drive of the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid consists of two electric motors driving each of the rear wheels independently via single speed geartrain, integrated into a common transmission housing, thus enabling torque vectoring for stability control of the vehicle. Electrical power is stored in a lithium polymer battery pack optimised for energy density, efficiency and high power demand, mounted in the centre of the vehicle for stability and safety. Additional range is provided by the Lotus Range Extender engine, an optimised 1.2 litre, three-cylinder engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles. The drivetrain is designed to combine astonishing performance with efficient, low emissions driving.

Driver involvement is enhanced by the incorporation of HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and Harman International, which provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. Integrated with the HALOsonic technology, the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid also showcases a brand new technology from Lotus Engineering, a sports mode that simulates a 7 speed, paddle shift transmission that combines exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car and optimised energy recuperation.

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid has been designed to highlight Lotus' innovative electric and hybrid vehicle technology without distracting from the pure sportscar character of the Evora. The solution is innovative, instantly recognizable, beautiful and sporty. It demonstrates Lotus DNA.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: "Innovation has always been at the heart of Lotus and is needed now more than ever. The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid is the perfect demonstration of Lotus Engineering's core competencies: lightweight architectures, efficient performance, electrical and electronics integration and driving dynamics. The technology demonstrator represents an encapsulation of the advanced technologies that Lotus Engineering continues to develop to overcome the current environmental challenges facing the automotive industry and showcases the future direction that the sector is taking and why Lotus Engineering is perfectly placed to lead the technological development in this area."

LOTUS Eterne Concept (2010)

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Enter the Eterne, the four door super saloon from Lotus. If the Elite is elegance incarnate then the Lotus Eterne is elegance redefined.

The Lotus Eterne is a true four door, four seater sports GT. It's the ultimate expression of refined style, sophistication and grace. But wait. An elegant, graceful sports car? Surely not.

A sports car by definition can't be graceful. Powerful, exciting, aggressive yes, but not graceful. Yet here it is, the ultimate paradox - the Eterne. Power and grace, performance and elegance, beauty and strength all in one stunning package.

With a 5.0 litre pressure charged V8 engine delivering up to 620 PS the Lotus Eterne is aiming for best in class performance and efficiency.

In keeping with the rest of the new line-up, the Lotus Eterne will benefit from hybrid technology.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: "The Eterne is sensational to look and as with the rest of the range it also over delivers in all other aspects as well. Similar to the Elite, it's a car of perfect contradictions, it's compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, relative lightweight yet still reassuringly solid."

"We truly believe that there is a market for the Lotus Eterne, there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of design, capacity and performance. The biggest difference between the Lotus Eterne and it's class competitors is that it's not an evolution of an existing two-door model, it's a deliberate and considered stand-alone creation. It's the ultimate four door sports car."

Sometimes there are no rules to be broken, so it is time to define them instead.

Lotus Eterne Specification

= Layout: 4 seater, front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive, all wheel drive is optional
= Engine: Petrol, hybrid optional
= Hybrid Technology: Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS
= Cylinder: V8
= Capacity: 5.0 litre
= Power/Torque: 620 PS / 720 Nm
= Rev limit: 8,500 rpm
= 0-100 km/h: 4.0 seconds
= Top speed: 315 km/h
= CO2 approx (CO2/km): 220 g/km (using optional hybrid)
= Weight: 1,800 kg
= Seats: 4
= Transmission: Full Hybrid transmission
= Drive: RWD, AWD optional
= Start of production: Early 2015
= Enters the market: Spring 2015
= Price indication: Circa £120,000.