My Commentary on the Esprit NEWS page from LEW
Discussion
I was thinking, taken from the LEW NEWS page, lets discuss the list they have made for possibilities on the new Esprit.
Here is the list:
• 4 different designs under consideration
I quite like the orangy design on the NEWS page to say the least. It looks pretty cool, but I doubt that it is a Lotus sketch.
• The engine is likely to be the 5.0 BMW V8, modified by Lotus
Not sure if I like this idea of a 5 liter BMW engine. I would much rather have Lotus make their own engine, but im sure this isnt doable. With the money situation, it will probably have to be Lotus designs and makes their own tranny and/or body and components, OR they outsource their tranny and some components while making their own engine. Nevertheless, Im not sure Esprit, or Lotus for that atter and 5 liters should go in the same line? Do you agree? 3.5liters is plenty to make 450hp out of a V8.
• Gearbox possibily BMW but others are being considered
This however is a relief. I am sure using a Bimmers gearbox will dramatically change the way the car drives, and be much smoother and user friendly. I only hope they choose something that wont be dated in no time. And I can only hope they do not offer tiptronic. Keep that crap out of an Exotic car. I like my cars to have a clutch, and a stick, you know, I like to DRIVE them
• The car will run in the region of 450-500bhp
That sounds about right!! Give it what it deserves. But on the other hand, again, the Esprit and Lotus in general isnt about big horsepower numbers. I would say no more than 400-425 is sufficient especially if they are claiming that they want to make it lighter than the current Esprit
• Designed to out perform Porsche, Ferrari & Lamborghini in terms of straight-line acceleration
GOOD. Its about time Lotus gives these Esprit bashing journalists something to write about when comparing it to the likes of Porsche and Ferrari. But, the Esprit already beats or matches current Ferrari and Porsche 0-60 figures. So hopefully the new car outperforms them in the 1/4 mile. But Im more concerned about the 0-100mph run. The Esprit has always been much behind in the numbers by as much as a second and a half!! Thats a huge loss!
• Handling yet to be established but the goal is to improve on the Esprit
But of course
• The car is most unlikely to be called an Esprit. Too much bad press over the years especially of early V8 reliability issues
This I do not like at all!! What else could you possibly name it? Not only that, the legend should live on. And I think a 3-4 year gap between introducing the new model is sufficient enough time for people to rethink their issues on the Esprit. Especially if the nw car gets good enough press.
• It will be very lightweight, certainly lighter than its equivalents
Thats good news!! as long as it stays under 3500lbs it shouldnt be a problem
• It will have traction control, but it will be switchable
No traction control. Whats the need for it. Its not that serious. But of course if Lotus can make it user friendly, then it might not be a bad idea. Surely it will need it with the extra 100bhp on tap.
All in all I have a feeling boys that nothing will ever come close to the prestige of the current and earlier Esprits touch no matter how dainted it has become over the years. Not that I have experienced any of it for my own self, except for sitting in one. But its the certain aura that emanates from it, you can see the wisdom in its shape so to speak. I figure the new Esprit will be something to gawk and marvel at, but I also have an empty feeling, this wont be a kindred spirit as the one we have come to known. But I guess there is a new generation of Esprit newcomers and obsessors in the near future. But we will always remember the true Esprit. These are sad but good times we live in right now in the chapter of Lotus.
Here is the list:
• 4 different designs under consideration
I quite like the orangy design on the NEWS page to say the least. It looks pretty cool, but I doubt that it is a Lotus sketch.
• The engine is likely to be the 5.0 BMW V8, modified by Lotus
Not sure if I like this idea of a 5 liter BMW engine. I would much rather have Lotus make their own engine, but im sure this isnt doable. With the money situation, it will probably have to be Lotus designs and makes their own tranny and/or body and components, OR they outsource their tranny and some components while making their own engine. Nevertheless, Im not sure Esprit, or Lotus for that atter and 5 liters should go in the same line? Do you agree? 3.5liters is plenty to make 450hp out of a V8.
• Gearbox possibily BMW but others are being considered
This however is a relief. I am sure using a Bimmers gearbox will dramatically change the way the car drives, and be much smoother and user friendly. I only hope they choose something that wont be dated in no time. And I can only hope they do not offer tiptronic. Keep that crap out of an Exotic car. I like my cars to have a clutch, and a stick, you know, I like to DRIVE them
• The car will run in the region of 450-500bhp
That sounds about right!! Give it what it deserves. But on the other hand, again, the Esprit and Lotus in general isnt about big horsepower numbers. I would say no more than 400-425 is sufficient especially if they are claiming that they want to make it lighter than the current Esprit
• Designed to out perform Porsche, Ferrari & Lamborghini in terms of straight-line acceleration
GOOD. Its about time Lotus gives these Esprit bashing journalists something to write about when comparing it to the likes of Porsche and Ferrari. But, the Esprit already beats or matches current Ferrari and Porsche 0-60 figures. So hopefully the new car outperforms them in the 1/4 mile. But Im more concerned about the 0-100mph run. The Esprit has always been much behind in the numbers by as much as a second and a half!! Thats a huge loss!
• Handling yet to be established but the goal is to improve on the Esprit
But of course
• The car is most unlikely to be called an Esprit. Too much bad press over the years especially of early V8 reliability issues
This I do not like at all!! What else could you possibly name it? Not only that, the legend should live on. And I think a 3-4 year gap between introducing the new model is sufficient enough time for people to rethink their issues on the Esprit. Especially if the nw car gets good enough press.
• It will be very lightweight, certainly lighter than its equivalents
Thats good news!! as long as it stays under 3500lbs it shouldnt be a problem
• It will have traction control, but it will be switchable
No traction control. Whats the need for it. Its not that serious. But of course if Lotus can make it user friendly, then it might not be a bad idea. Surely it will need it with the extra 100bhp on tap.
All in all I have a feeling boys that nothing will ever come close to the prestige of the current and earlier Esprits touch no matter how dainted it has become over the years. Not that I have experienced any of it for my own self, except for sitting in one. But its the certain aura that emanates from it, you can see the wisdom in its shape so to speak. I figure the new Esprit will be something to gawk and marvel at, but I also have an empty feeling, this wont be a kindred spirit as the one we have come to known. But I guess there is a new generation of Esprit newcomers and obsessors in the near future. But we will always remember the true Esprit. These are sad but good times we live in right now in the chapter of Lotus.
The one thing that I have never liked about BMW's are their manual transmissions. Every BMW manual that I have ever driven (Several 3 series and even an M3) has been "sloppy". There are many good transmission makers in the UK that Lotus can choose from.
MaClaren used a BMW engine in the F1, so I guess there is presedence for it's use in an exotic. No worries there.
I am undecided on keeping the Esprit name. I think the fact that everyone will know that it is the Esprit replacement will take care of the heritage question...
Cheers
ErnestM
MaClaren used a BMW engine in the F1, so I guess there is presedence for it's use in an exotic. No worries there.
I am undecided on keeping the Esprit name. I think the fact that everyone will know that it is the Esprit replacement will take care of the heritage question...
Cheers
ErnestM
ErnestM said:
The one thing that I have never liked about BMW's are their manual transmissions. Every BMW manual that I have ever driven (Several 3 series and even an M3) has been "sloppy". There are many good transmission makers in the UK that Lotus can choose from.
MaClaren used a BMW engine in the F1, so I guess there is presedence for it's use in an exotic. No worries there.
I am undecided on keeping the Esprit name. I think the fact that everyone will know that it is the Esprit replacement will take care of the heritage question...
Cheers
ErnestM
I have driven my friends M3 a few times and have found the tranmission to be pretty damn smooth! Of course, I have been driving Mustangs and regular 5 cars my whole life so anything is an improvement I suppose.
Yeah the first thing I thought when i heard BMW Engine was the McLaren.
And your right about the heritage question!
ErnestM said:
McLaren used a BMW engine in the F1, so I guess there is presedence for it's use in an exotic. No worries there.
Ascari are currently using the M5 V8 in the KZ1, mid engined configuration mated up to a cima transmission (same sort that is used by pagani/koenigsegg). This engine is also used in the Morgan Aero-whatsit.
Agree the M5 engine is a great bit of kit, and no worries with reliability. Personally i'd prefer if they made the effort and went for the V10 thats going into the new generation "bangled" M5s...
but the v8 would do nicely thankyou!
If they did decide to go with a V10, then and only then would I want them to NOT use the name Esprit. Beyond a V8, I dont see the car being recognised for an Esprit. The Current Esprits, and the later models namely of course the 4cylinders is what an Esprit is. Personally, it cant be altered. The swiftness of it all, is what makes the car the Esprit.
Get into V-10 territory, and it seems it would be too bukly and alot heavier. It will lose its essence I think.
I tell you one thing, I am NOT one for a front engined new generation Esprit. Keep it midengined, and ditch this whole front engined scenario their thinking about.
Get into V-10 territory, and it seems it would be too bukly and alot heavier. It will lose its essence I think.
I tell you one thing, I am NOT one for a front engined new generation Esprit. Keep it midengined, and ditch this whole front engined scenario their thinking about.
rfoster said:
Anyone concerned with BMW supplying engine & gearbox should have a go in a recent BMW M5 with the 5.0 400 bhp V8 and 6 speed manual gearbox. One of the quickest and smoothest saloons around with a stonking amount of grunt. Lotus could do a lot worse than to utilise this system!
but my SE still nailed one on a uphill dual carriageway
Mind you I expect he was a lot more comfortable than me.
Well, as much as I would love to see Lotus keep the V8 engine, it sounds like it will not meet regs for the future. I have no problem with them tuning another manufacturers engine, hell, they probably helped design it. My Lotus has a Lotus/Cosworth Ford engine (how would that go over? LOL, yeah, thought so)
I don't quite understand the issue with the Esprit name. The new car is going to be completely different, why should it be called Esprit? There are lots of other E words that could be used. There is already countless variations of the 4 and 8 cylinder Esprits, how many different ones do we need?
I would really like to see the replacement be light, like sub 3000lbs light. It was/is the way of Lotus. I am afraid with the quest for straight line speed, they may compromise the handling, which has always been Lotus' hallmark, if they lose that, they are just another fast car, and there are lots of those.
So, an engine (any engine, 4,6,8,10 cyl, turbo, NA), light, incredible handling, fast enough, E name, sleek lines (not a big elise), presence. That shouldn't be too hard, should it?
Gary
I don't quite understand the issue with the Esprit name. The new car is going to be completely different, why should it be called Esprit? There are lots of other E words that could be used. There is already countless variations of the 4 and 8 cylinder Esprits, how many different ones do we need?
I would really like to see the replacement be light, like sub 3000lbs light. It was/is the way of Lotus. I am afraid with the quest for straight line speed, they may compromise the handling, which has always been Lotus' hallmark, if they lose that, they are just another fast car, and there are lots of those.
So, an engine (any engine, 4,6,8,10 cyl, turbo, NA), light, incredible handling, fast enough, E name, sleek lines (not a big elise), presence. That shouldn't be too hard, should it?
Gary
Guys - this weeks autocar has another pic of the autocar rendition of the new esprit, in the letters section next to someones comments.
Its a much better pic, this time without the remainder of the lambo badge and gallardo vents etc. Its even got " L O T U S " across the rear and two central vents on the rear deck.
Can't post the pic unfortunately 'cos my scanners knackered.
Its a much better pic, this time without the remainder of the lambo badge and gallardo vents etc. Its even got " L O T U S " across the rear and two central vents on the rear deck.
Can't post the pic unfortunately 'cos my scanners knackered.
Hi,
This speculation is all fine and good, but remember, save for a very small minority, most of us fanatics never bought a car from Lotus, for the most part we bought used Esprits.
Therefore, Lotus isn't going to want to hear from you, rather they are going after their target market which is primarily well to do professionals who buy mostly for the WOW factor and most current technology bells and whistles. They will dispose of these cars within a couple of years and we will then buy their leftovers with whatever technology, engine/drivetrain and styling package Lotus determined would attract these original buyers in the first place.
As far as the Esprit name, drop it! It had one of the, if not THE, longest most successful runs in Sports Car history. Think about what you'll think of it if the next Gen is a dog, or upstaged by P*rsche's, Lambo's or Ferr*ri's latest offerings.
With all the chat recently regarding resale value, I would have thought more would be in favor of retiring the Esprit as a finite number of them is sure to optimistically affect the resale market. Just my $0.02. Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE (second owner, but still previously thrilled)
>> Edited by lotusguy on Wednesday 11th February 19:37
This speculation is all fine and good, but remember, save for a very small minority, most of us fanatics never bought a car from Lotus, for the most part we bought used Esprits.
Therefore, Lotus isn't going to want to hear from you, rather they are going after their target market which is primarily well to do professionals who buy mostly for the WOW factor and most current technology bells and whistles. They will dispose of these cars within a couple of years and we will then buy their leftovers with whatever technology, engine/drivetrain and styling package Lotus determined would attract these original buyers in the first place.
As far as the Esprit name, drop it! It had one of the, if not THE, longest most successful runs in Sports Car history. Think about what you'll think of it if the next Gen is a dog, or upstaged by P*rsche's, Lambo's or Ferr*ri's latest offerings.
With all the chat recently regarding resale value, I would have thought more would be in favor of retiring the Esprit as a finite number of them is sure to optimistically affect the resale market. Just my $0.02. Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE (second owner, but still previously thrilled)
>> Edited by lotusguy on Wednesday 11th February 19:37
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