Lotus is certainly getting the reaction they wanted in the lead-up to the Paris Auto Show, with rumors continuing to swirl. In fact, it's quite possible the Lotus display will be the biggest news out of the major automotive event.
According to a report by AutoWeek, the British sports car maker will debut a modern version of the Seven, a successor to the Esprit and two hybrids.
The modern Seven (a concept) will be a vast departure from the original with more comfort features than one might expect – including air conditioning. It is rumored to be based on a Spanish sports car and not designed or engineered by the folks at Lotus.
As for the Espirt, most recent reports have indicated that it will use the Lexus 5.0-liter V8 as well as an optional 4.8-liter V10 from the LFA. But now we're hearing that it could use a twin-turbo V8.
Both hybrids models will be extremely unconventional for Lotus as both feature a front-engine layout. The first will be a four-door hatchback much like the Porsche Panamera, while the second will be a coupe. The powertrains will be based on the same setup found in the Evora 414E Hybrid shown at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year.
In the hybrid Evora, a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine is mated to two electric motors and a lithium-polymer battery pack to make 400-hp. It works like the Chevy Volt, with only the electric motors powering the wheels, while the gasoline engine kicks in afterwards to deliver extended range. Lotus claims 35 miles of emissions free driving, while the gasoline engine allows for a total of 300 miles. Lotus has designed the car to put the power down independently through the rear wheels, as a result each rear wheel is capable of 204-hp and 295 ft-lbs of... [Read More]
Lotus has just officially confirmed the Evora S and IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) automatic transmission models, both of which are set to debut at the Paris Auto Show in just a few weeks time.
Most exciting is the Evora S with a 350-ps (345-hp) V6 engine. Details are scarce, but it would seem from the official press release that all this power from the same 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 276-hp in the standard Evora comes without a supercharger as suspected. Instead it looks as though the Lotus partnership with Cosworth has lead to an impressive power increase for the Toyota-sourced V6.
Along with 345-hp, the Evora S also get a Sport button that adjusts the throttle response, increases the rev limit and changes the stability control program for a more sport-oriented experience. In addition, it also activates an exhaust bypass valve that gives the Evora a race-inspired exhaust note.
In addition to the Evora S, Lotus will also unveil the Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) model in Paris. Using a six-speed automatic transmission (likely from Toyota), Lotus has developed its own transmission control unit to deliver quick shifts for the 276-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine.
Both models will help Lotus expand its reach in the marketplace, with the Evora S attracting higher dollar customers (though fewer of them), while the Evora IPS model will appeal to a wider range of buyers, particularly in North America.
Speaking about the automatic transmission model, Lotus ECO Dany Bahar commented that, "The Evora IPS is set to broaden the appeal of the Evora and reach out to a slightly different market. We hope it will be popular with established automatic locations such as Asia, the Middle East and the U.S. It's been... [Read More]
Lotus has confirmed that it will unveil a new Evora S model as one of its many new vehicles a the Paris Auto Show and there’s little doubt that the "S" stands for Supercharger. Currently Lotus offers the Evora with a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 276-hp. That number should increase to around 340-hp with the blower installed.
Possibly more exciting, however, is that with this engine set to be used in the Evora S, the upcoming Esprit replacement will most certainly get an even larger and more powerful engine – perhaps even the 5.0-liter V8 from the Lexus IS-F.
In addition to the Evora S, Lotus has also announced it will debut the Evora with an automatic transmission. If we’re lucky, this could be the 7-speed dual-clutch unit that Lotus has been developing, which should help the Evora post even better performance times.
A stroke of genius by the folks in charge of Lotus, the Exos Type 125 is billed as "The Ultimate Track Car" and by all accounts, they're right. Essentially a Formula 1 chassis made entirely of carbon fiber and weighing just 1,433 lbs, the Exos 125 uses a Cosworth F1 engine to make 650-hp at 10,300 rpm. Pricing is set at a million dollars for one of the 25 limited edition race cars and includes several track events throughout the world.
In the past Lotus offered mid-range exotics and sports cars that only appealed to a very niche audience. The company is looking to change that in the future, and is set to display up to four new concepts at the upcoming Paris Auto Show.
What the Exos T125 will do for the British automaker is get ultra-rich clients in the door and help make them fans of the Lotus brand. What Ferrari 599XX owner wouldn't want this machine?
Debuting in an unfinished forum at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, Lotus how now officially unveiled the Evora Cup GT4 race car at at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, CA. And judging by the tires, this car has already seen plenty of track time.
Built to compete in the FIA GT4 series in Europe, Lotus U.S.A. head Arnie Johnson confirmed that the car can be delivered in anywhere from GT4 to GT2 trim. The GT4 car on display uses a 360-hp 4.0-liter V6, but Cosworth can increase that number as high as 470-hp.
Built to run in its own Lotus Evora Cup series, it can also compete in any GT4 racing series and according to Johnson the company has already sold six of the $160,000 race cars this week.
But the most exciting news might be chatter we heard amongst some Lotus folks at the booth, indicating that Lotus will look to field the car in the Grand Am series here in North America – likely next year.
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