Paris Show: Lotus wants to Take on Aston Martin Rapide with New Eterne Sports Saloon

In an attempt to enter the 4-door coupe market, Lotus brought a sedan - you read that right - to the Paris Motor Show. The Eterne is the new Lotus 4-door (other Loti saloons include the 377HP twin-turbocharged Lotus Carlton / Omega of the early 1990s, and they sure are cool); it uses a Lotus-tuned new bad boy engine borrowed from Lexus.

This means that sitting under the hood is a high-output forced-induction 5.0-liter V8. As with the Esprit and Elite, the Eterne will offer optional hybrid power and KERS.

An added bonus is available AWD. The Eterne provides seating for four passengers in an 1,800-kilo package that will cost approximately £120,000 [~ US$190,500 at today's exchange rates] before options.

Clearly Lotus sees a market for a prestigious high-performance 4-door with hybrid power, because Dany Bahar plainly states, "We truly believe that there is a market for the Eterne. There is nothing else like it out there both in terms of design, capacity and performance. The biggest difference between the Eterne and it's class competitors is that it's not an evolution of an existing two-door model, it's a deliberate and considered stand-alone creation. It's the ultimate four door sports car."

Hey, who am I to argue with capitalism? For that money, though, I'd just buy a Fisker Karma and go on a nasty vacation.

By Phil Alex

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Lotus Elite on Paris Auto Show 2010

At the stand of Paris Auto Show Lotus Elite was shown like prototype, and representatives of the company inform that the serial model will appear only four years later. Nevertheless, all basic technical characteristics are already declared. The engine will deliver Toyota. It is 5-liter V8 with a supercharger which in the base version will give out 542 h.p., and as alternative more powerful version developing 612 forces will serve. Dispersal to hundred will occupy 3,5 sec, and the maximum speed will be – 314 km/h.

Experts in automobile history can reproach Elite like artificial Lotus. Which were always the British sport cars? First of all – in a racing way lungs. And consequently mad dynamics was reached even with not the most powerful motors. And Elite will weigh 1 650 kg.

Company Lotus was many years in long crisis, and on one tiny sport cars business won't hoist. Classical Lotuses are calculated on the automobile gourmets which are an expert in ascetic Elise and Exige. And for elite public hardly probable not a leading role, the impressive figure in the column plays capacity.

And the main argument which British plan to win buyers from Ferrari and Lamborghini, is the price. Ferrari California now in Europe costs about 200 000 euros. And the preliminary price for much more powerful Lotus Elite – 137 000 euros.

Live in Paris 2010: 2011 Lotus Esprit 5.0 liter V8 with 620 hp and 720 Nm

Lotus was the hero of the Paris Motor Show, with six new models (including concepts) they could count on most media attention during the unveiling of these models. The new Esprit is a gem, not only the looks are reminiscent of the Lambo-babes, the performance under the hood are equally delicious.

A 5.0 liter V8 with 620 hp and 720 Nm of torque is entirely at your disposal. The sprint to 100 km / h takes just 3.4 seconds to complete and the top speed is 330 km / h. The Lotus weighs 1,450 kilograms, not as light as we are used to them. The start of production end 2012, now he is from 2013.

Lotus Official: 2013 Lotus Esprit first photos and specs

Lotus Esprit in The surname is still famous, partly thanks to James Bond / Roger Moore but also through his line that magnified the cuneiform style and grace in his 4-cylinder engine and 6-valve, a world first for its time.

The Raw Spirit ... 2013 (!) Will be a worthy descendant of his eldest and will certainly not of power: while the original Spirit came out 160 hp from its 2-liter, that of 2013 as spit not less than 620, from 5 liter V8 original Lexus, assisted by a supercharger.

But this Ghost will not be a lightweight because with 1485 kg on the balance, it does not honor the famous "Light is right". But the modern pèsant their weight, and a nice big V8, it would be wrong to blame the Spirit. It may even be equipped with a hybrid system similar to the KERS in Formula 1 last year and in this case, power will increase to 720 hp.

Lotus Official: Lotus Elan 2013 first pictures and basic details

Let us close this chapter in Lotus with the vintage beauty of the Elan 2013 whose task will be to forget the bland design of the 90s, derived from an ordinary Japanese which was thankfully forgotten the name. The new Elan will not disappoint this time fans of the brand because Lotus has done things.

Aesthetically first is the new style of the British manufacturer is out and eyeing the expensive stealth to Lamborghini. Under the hood back, we find a V6 Toyota Genuine who will move the 1295 kg of the beast.

Dual-clutch gearbox and seven reports, 4-liter, 450 hp and 450 Nm of torque, this V6 that is found under the hood of some 4 × 4 Toyota is unrecognizable here. It can even be coupled to a hybrid system, derived from kers preview last year in Formula 1.

Lotus Elise 2015 - Change of era

The new Lotus are numerous, and one of them will change the core of the British brand since has been made the Lotus Elise 2015. This concept car, close enough to the series, illustrates what will be the new generation.

Lotus Official - City Car Concept Lotus first pictures

A real burst of new at Lotus for this world! After the Spirit 2013, the sedan Eterne, Elan Vintage 2013 without counting the Elise concept, here's the legendary British brand that has an amazing concept ... city! What really cover all possible segments.

Quads, 3.50 meters long, 54-KW electric motor assisted by a three-cylinder engine 1.2l petrol / ethanol / 48 hp which serves generator to recharge the batteries, like the Chevrolet Volt here specifications for the quite unusual for a Lotus.

Autonomy in all electric mode would be 60 km but increase to 500 with the engine. Despite his respectable weight of 1,400 kg (!), It would be able, according to the manufacturers to achieve the 0 to 100 km / h in 9 seconds and reach 170 km / h at peak.

2010 Lotus Sports Cars Elite Concept Cars

British sports car company unveil at the Paris Motor Show the sun starts to rise for the dawn of Lotus' new era - the Elite will redefine "modern classic". So here it is, the Lotus Sports Cars Elite, the first taste of what's to come from Lotus in the future. This is not only beautifully elegant, in accordance with the burden of Lotus’ appraises, that car with the center consisting of several by the identical cutting-edge technological innovation Lotus has submitted a bid. Retractile hard top version of the cunning and consumption with optional cross with KERS technology is a special case with Lotus cutting technology to provide perfect performance.

The 2010 Lotus Sports Cars Elite Concept Car is labeled as a “production intent prototype and is scheduled to go on sale in 2014 with a pricetag around £115,000 (approximately $180,000). Set for release in spring 2014, this is an innovative, exciting GT that will set a new benchmark in design, performance and emissions. And it s not all about sleek lines and stunning bodywork with this particular 2+2, what hides beneath this shark like exterior perfectly does the aesthetics justice. A front-mid positioned 5.0l V8 engine delivering up to 620 PS meaning drivers can expect to go from 0-100 km/h in approximately 3.5 to 3.7 seconds.

2010 Lotus Sports Cars Elite Concept Cars

First up, the Elite will offer a retractable hardtop roof, adding significant weight to the automobile. It may weigh in at 3,600 pounds.  This is a far step from Lotus’ usual super-light vehicles mentality. The Elite has a 2+2 seating configuration and is directly aimed at the competing with the Ferrari 612.

"Make no mistake, there's a definite market requirement for the Elite - it's the ultimate sports car feel with comfort and space. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn't take the decision to design something like the Elite lightly, it's based on months of careful research and planning. It's worth noting this sector has been very successful for us in the past and now the Elite raises the benchmark higher still." As for the new, awesome design of the car, the designer Donato Coco has designed what can only be described as a truly stunning car. It is completely different from all Lotus models of the past and really indicates that Lotus is ready to move from the ‘affordable’ sports car market deep into supercar territory.

2010 Lotus Sports Cars Elite Concept Cars 

With the likes of Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari in its crosshairs, it’s not surprising that the new Lotus Elite sports car is significantly heavier and more powerful than the company’s current offerings. In fact, with an expected kerb weight of 3,637 pounds, the Elite is very different to Lotus’ usual assortment of light weight track cars but its designers are confident it will still have the ultimate sports car feel--just with a little more comfort and space. The design, specification and performance figures for all Production Intent Prototypes will be confirmed following official testing and will be available from Lotus Cars.