Spy Shot: Lotus Elise XL or Esprit Jr.??

[Kirby]

AutoWeek: Link

Our spies in England spotted a prototype midsized, mid-engine $30,000 coupe that fits in the Lotus lineup between the Elise and a new Esprit.

Officially the project remains “under consideration,” but this trimmed-out mule is eerily identical to a design published in U.K. Patent Office journals last fall.

Insiders report at least six prototypes have been built, including one that has been crash-tested.

The car’s aluminum chassis, dubbed the Versatile Vehicle Architecture, also underpins the larger Esprit. The design is so flexible that front- and mid-engine models can be built off the same chassis.

Aimed at Porsche’s new Boxster coupe, this model is conceived as a more comfortable touring GT. Though likely to arrive as a Lotus, it could also be sold through Proton dealers, the Malaysian carmaker that owns Lotus.

Sources say a vestigial set of rear seats is under consideration, but chances of the car being a 2+2 are slim, thanks to a lack of rear access over its wide sills and access through its narrow doors.

 

[bahnstormer]

nice!

 

[codex57]

If it's positioned btw teh Elise and Esprit, how can it be $30,000? More like a $60,000 car.

 

[Kirby]

Good point - I wonder if they changed pounds to dollars by mistake. 30,000 pounds would be about $60,000 at current rates.

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Exige, the hardcore version of elise =D


I think this is it, basically same thing but better suspension, near slicks. And everything in the car is optional, I mean Everything, even the carpets.

Elise

 

[tool fan]

UGLY...UGLY and once more for good measure UGLY!!!!!!!!!! Lotus took a pure sports car design and "Bangled" it. There are several Elise's in Weisbaden and I find them absolutely HIDEOUS......just like the Opel Speedster and Vauxhal 220. They should have just stuck with the late '80's design Esprit Turbo

 

[Wadula]

really? i like the design somehow. It matches the cars character. the car is light, agile, and damn quick. i think the design reflects these predator-like attributes.

the opel is even better, not as round as the lotus, but looks to be lower, wider, slicker. the edgy design is so sharp. i´d buy one if money and life would allow me to.