New Esprit Pics From Wipper
Discussion
I've got the whole article scanned in - its a very interesting story as it addresses other new models being planned, including a front engined 2+2 coupe using their new VVA architecture! But my broadband is down and the file is huge. It would take eons for me to upload on dial-up.
If our American cousins are really that keen, the first one to mail me his/her fax number gets it. My treat....
If our American cousins are really that keen, the first one to mail me his/her fax number gets it. My treat....
Well, I hate to say it but I was right.
About 8 months ago I was having a conversation with the CEO of Lotus. He asked for my input on what the next-gen Esprit should be like. I told him that they should target the new Lamborghini Gallardo.
Now I look at the AutoCar rendition of the rear of the car and I know they took me seriously. So seriously in fact that if you look at the drawing of the rear view you will notice that it is indeed a picture of a Gallardo that has been doctored.
You can tell this is a Gallardo by looking at the vents over the rear wheel wells and on the engine cover, the side intakes, the short "minivan" A-pillar, the rear quarter window, etc. However, where you can tell the most is when you realize that, while they added quad pipes at the center, they forgot to completely mask the Gallardo's exhaust in the drawing. Look closely and you can clearly see the bottom half of each tailpipe on either side. The only changes in addition to the butchering of the rear are the removal of the cut line on the side, the masts the hold up the side mirrors, and the replacement of the wheels with those from an Elise.
Quite funny really.
New Esprit - Yeah right!
Cheers,
Karl-Franz
www.espritfactfile.com
About 8 months ago I was having a conversation with the CEO of Lotus. He asked for my input on what the next-gen Esprit should be like. I told him that they should target the new Lamborghini Gallardo.
Now I look at the AutoCar rendition of the rear of the car and I know they took me seriously. So seriously in fact that if you look at the drawing of the rear view you will notice that it is indeed a picture of a Gallardo that has been doctored.
You can tell this is a Gallardo by looking at the vents over the rear wheel wells and on the engine cover, the side intakes, the short "minivan" A-pillar, the rear quarter window, etc. However, where you can tell the most is when you realize that, while they added quad pipes at the center, they forgot to completely mask the Gallardo's exhaust in the drawing. Look closely and you can clearly see the bottom half of each tailpipe on either side. The only changes in addition to the butchering of the rear are the removal of the cut line on the side, the masts the hold up the side mirrors, and the replacement of the wheels with those from an Elise.
Quite funny really.
New Esprit - Yeah right!
Cheers,
Karl-Franz
www.espritfactfile.com
Agreed Karl - they've even left part of the Lamborghini 'boot' badge in the rendition on page 47. But I wouldn't blame Lotus, that image is by Autocar's graphics department. It looks very little like the Lotus sketch anyway. It isn't even the same as the front end picture on page 42/43. Note the absence of the air intake 'ears' in the rear threequarters (a classic Esprit cue) on the "Gallardo" rear view shot.
Lets not nitpick - just be thankfull they are busy on the Esprit replacement and not doing 4x4 lifestyle stuff, like some other sports car manufacturers.
No takers for the faxed story? Right, I'm off to bed.
>> Edited by hedgerley on Wednesday 4th February 01:35
Lets not nitpick - just be thankfull they are busy on the Esprit replacement and not doing 4x4 lifestyle stuff, like some other sports car manufacturers.
No takers for the faxed story? Right, I'm off to bed.
>> Edited by hedgerley on Wednesday 4th February 01:35
hedgerley said:
Agreed Karl - they've even left part of the Lamborghini 'boot' badge in the rendition on page 47. But I wouldn't blame Lotus, that image is by Autocar's graphics department. It looks very little like the Lotus sketch anyway. It isn't even the same as the front end picture on page 42/43. Note the absence of the air intake 'ears' in the rear threequarters (a classic Esprit cue) on the "Gallardo" rear view shot.
To be clear: I'm not blaming Lotus. I know the large rear drawing did not come from them. In my post I refer to it as the "AutoCar rendition". And for the record, lest you somehow be mistaken into thinking that I do not like the Gallardo, my brother and I have deposits on two of them.
The Autocar 'interpretation' is not very good IMO. Way too many gallardo bits still in the final image..
This pic i think has the most esprit design cues - ie butresses, air vents, side window profile, flat windscreen etc.
Needs to be low and sleek however, not dumpy and fat but maybe its just the angle..
Looks better stretched a bit...
??
This pic i think has the most esprit design cues - ie butresses, air vents, side window profile, flat windscreen etc.
Needs to be low and sleek however, not dumpy and fat but maybe its just the angle..
Looks better stretched a bit...
?? Am I the only one here who does not like the Gallardo or the Autocars Esprit Rendition. The font has possibilities (If I can bring myself to lose the pop ups) but the rear end has to be the worst thing on the planet. Its even worse than the Merci.. (what ever it is) rear end and thats saying something. The grey Lotus concept on the top of page 45 is by far the best and I love the big intakes just behind the doors.
Despite already budgeting for a new Esprit in 2008 I think I'll be spending my money elsewhere.
Despite already budgeting for a new Esprit in 2008 I think I'll be spending my money elsewhere.
In the red pics of it, the Lotus drawings, the roof looks just like this generation Esprit. Thats about it though. The rear is ugly, it should sort have that concave scoop to it where the E S P R I T would go like an Elise rear IMO. But nevertheless, the thing that worries me, is what is all this talk about a front engined design? Why in the world would Lotus lose the mid-engine layout? To me, being Mid-engine is part of the Lotus alure.
The talk about front engine is about the chassis that Lotus is developing - it's supposed to be able to handle the entire Lotus range and be able to have the engine put anywhere. If you look at the red Lotus drawing - it looks like they are keeping mid engine. In fact - it looks like they are using glass/transparent panels instead of vents over the engine...
ErnestM
ErnestM
ErnestM said:
The talk about front engine is about the chassis that Lotus is developing - it's supposed to be able to handle the entire Lotus range and be able to have the engine put anywhere. If you look at the red Lotus drawing - it looks like they are keeping mid engine. In fact - it looks like they are using glass/transparent panels instead of vents over the engine...
ErnestM
I see. I havent gotten the issue yet, since its not here, but Im sure I will enjoy reading it!
Clarification for you guys stateside.
"The process (Versatile Vehicle Architecture) is so flexible, say Lotus engineers, that it will eventually be adopted for all three Lotus models: the £25,000 transverse mid-engined roadster (the Elise replacement); a £50,000 front-engined two-plus-two coupe; and a £75,000, 200mph mid-engined supercar (seen here)"
Worringly, they may drop the Esprit moniker as the new car will be so different compared to the old one! Aaarrgghh.
This will be the model lineup by 2008/9ish according to Richard Rackham, Chassis Engineer (he led the Federal Elise project, as well as the Aston Martin Vanquish Federal programme by the way)
Ernest - whole article on the fax machine to you.
"The process (Versatile Vehicle Architecture) is so flexible, say Lotus engineers, that it will eventually be adopted for all three Lotus models: the £25,000 transverse mid-engined roadster (the Elise replacement); a £50,000 front-engined two-plus-two coupe; and a £75,000, 200mph mid-engined supercar (seen here)"
Worringly, they may drop the Esprit moniker as the new car will be so different compared to the old one! Aaarrgghh.
This will be the model lineup by 2008/9ish according to Richard Rackham, Chassis Engineer (he led the Federal Elise project, as well as the Aston Martin Vanquish Federal programme by the way)
Ernest - whole article on the fax machine to you.
Clarification for you guys stateside.
"The process (Versatile Vehicle Architecture) is so flexible, say Lotus engineers, that it will eventually be adopted for all three Lotus models: the £25,000 transverse mid-engined roadster (the Elise replacement); a £50,000 front-engined two-plus-two coupe; and a £75,000, 200mph mid-engined supercar (seen here)"
Worringly, they may drop the Esprit moniker as the new car will be so different compared to the old one! Aaarrgghh.
This will be the model lineup by 2008/9ish according to Richard Rackham, Chassis Engineer (he led the Federal Elise project, as well as the Aston Martin Vanquish Federal programme by the way)
Ernest - whole article on the fax machine to you.
"The process (Versatile Vehicle Architecture) is so flexible, say Lotus engineers, that it will eventually be adopted for all three Lotus models: the £25,000 transverse mid-engined roadster (the Elise replacement); a £50,000 front-engined two-plus-two coupe; and a £75,000, 200mph mid-engined supercar (seen here)"
Worringly, they may drop the Esprit moniker as the new car will be so different compared to the old one! Aaarrgghh.
This will be the model lineup by 2008/9ish according to Richard Rackham, Chassis Engineer (he led the Federal Elise project, as well as the Aston Martin Vanquish Federal programme by the way)
Ernest - whole article on the fax machine to you.
Stop the madness! I have to say I do not think it looks like an Esprit should look. It appears to be - as stated above - a Lamborgini. I do not care for it all that much as a type of Esprit. Maybe as a new Lotus - just not an Esprit. I'd say it looks rather like a Galardo got it on with an XJ220...
To each his own, but I say design a "new" one in the spirit of the "old" one - or do not design a new one at all. I think Lotus did very well in keeping with the "spirit" form 76-77 right up to 04'...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
To each his own, but I say design a "new" one in the spirit of the "old" one - or do not design a new one at all. I think Lotus did very well in keeping with the "spirit" form 76-77 right up to 04'...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
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