Lotus Esprit coming in 2012
The Hethel company will be coming out with its latest Elise and Esprit by 2011 and 2012 if all goes well. Sources reveal that the Elise could be seen by the latter part of 2010 but will hit markets only in 2011, and will most probably be a development of the present model rather than a version of the latest Evora.
On the other hand, the Esprit’s production is contingent on the profitability of the Evora and a likely external funding. In spite of this fact, Lotus engineers are still targeting a 2012 introduction schedule. The model will be a longer, wider variant of the new Evora with a V8 powerplant mounted in the middle. Also planned for 2012 is an Evora Convertible, which will be a two-seater and may come with a different badge when it hits the market. It is known that the engineering and production systems of Lotus are flexible enough to permit a late decision in the order in which the Esprit or Evora Convertible reaches dealership. Continued after the jump!
If the financial climate changes for the better and the demand for supercars gains momentum, Lotus is anticipated to introduce the Esprit in advance of the Evora soft-top. However, if the market remains the same, the Evora Convertible will see introduction ahead of the Esprit.
Lotus intends to boost production to 8000 units annually by 2011, double to its current figure, but the credit crunch is most likely going to be a big obstacle to such intentions. Sources inside the company are currently forecasting between 4,000 to 5,000 Lotus models annually by 2011 and 2012, while many of its manufacturing contracts have been frozen due to the economic downturn. For instance, a joint-venture with Abarth on a sports car, which is an Evora instead of an Elise version, has frozen and the Europa-based Dodge Circuit EV has been shelved. But there are other ongoing negotiations being done with European OEMs and Lotus is looking forward to another EV program like the Tesla.
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