Lotus GroupBehold Lotus’s new era: Svelte, thoroughly modern designs so sharp they’ll stop traffic; power that will fully exploit Lotus’s legendary chassis technology; attention to detail befitting the best of British craftsmanship; and more driving thrills than ever.
The icon is back.
Reinvented, having adorned the bedroom walls of red-blooded males for the past 35 years, the new Donato Coco-led design is everything a supercar should be: a XXX-rated expression of speed, beauty, power and purpose.
The core values of innovation, lightweight and agility are all here. Fitted with a 5.0 V8 that will feed the rear wheels over 600bhp, hybrid technologies such as a Formula One-style Kinetic Energy Recovery System, seven gears at the flick of a paddle, and 200mph performance, the 2013 Esprit is purring at the traffic lights of Lotus’ all-new era.
It manages to get the heart racing at standstill. Its sculpted nose is predatory; its sharp headlights like a wildcat’s eyes glinting in the moonlight, its intakes like the gaping mouths of Great Whites ready to feed. The bodywork is muscular, with taught wings and tense angles like a fighter jet. It’s a seductive weapon, set to thrill.
Elegance Incarnate
The new Elite is a uniquely British expression of elegance and fine living, but intensely contemporary and true to Lotus’ rebellious spirit. Vivienne Westwood has gone upmarket too.
This front-engined Grand Tourer is powerful yet lightweight, technologically prodigious, and as handsome as a Saville Row suit worn by a catwalk model. Mayfair’s fashionable mews streets are going to rumble to the sound of a 5.0 V8, and pedestrians will crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the Elite’s stylish occupants enjoying its luxurious cabin through the electric glass roof.
Lotus has a proud history of long-nosed four-seat coupes and the 2014 Elite is set to become a future classic. Still tight to the founder’s values, it shows how far Lotus has come without forgetting where it’s from. Created by a small team of visionaries, crafted by artisans in rural Norfolk, the new Elite is a superstar ready for the red carpet.
ELISE
All grown up
Revealed for the first time at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the next generation Elise seems to have skipped a couple of rungs on the evolutionary ladder. The styling is much more aggressive, but the spirit of fun remains and, with 320bhp from its lightweight four-cylinder engine, it will be sensationally rapid.
Taking key styling features from the other new cars, the 2015 Elise is born to a supercar family as reflected in the check seats – very ‘70s Esprit – through to the five-spoke alloys that scream performance and high-tech yet focused cockpit where all the fun happens.
The Elise will be 19-years-old when it rolls off the production line. It’s now allowed to stay out all night. Lotus’ baby is all grown up, and things are going to get more exciting than ever.
The statement of intent
The ultimate symbol of power and grace, the Eterne is revolutionary. The first true Lotus four-door, it will deliver super-GT performance in the striking, elegant body of a luxury saloon. Ready to whisk presidents into power and rock stars out of trouble, the Eterne serves as its own VIP pass.
The chassis and styling is based on the new Elite. It will be mated to the same 5 litre V8 engine, boasting 620bhp and targeting best-in-class performance and fuel efficiency. In keeping with the rest of the new line-up, it will feature state-of-the-art hybrid technology.
