The eagerly-awaited next-generation Lotus Esprit has been spotted during winter testing in Sweden.
This time, no covered prototypes but a an old Lotus Esprit body disguise which was likely featuring powertrain and platform of the next-generation Esprit.
Secrecy surrounds the powertrain of the future coupé although company sources suggest the next Esprit will be powered by the BMW’s V8 that made its debut in the X6 model. With a displacement of 4.4-litre, this new V8 has an ouput of 420bhp in the X6. Under the Esprit bonnet, the V8 would likely be boosted up to 500bhp in order to take on the Lamborghini Gallardo and Nissan GT-R.
The last Esprit in 2004 was powered by an in-house V8. Like the BMW’s V8, it was twin-turbocharged and offered 350bhp. The Esprit was able to shuttle from 0 to 62mph in less than 5 seconds.
Source: Autocar and Leftlanenews
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