Lotus Unveils Five New Sports Cars at 2010 Paris Motor Show

Lotus took the opportunity to unveil five new sports cars - the Elite, Elise, Elan, Esprit and Eterne – at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

Lotus Chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, said by unveiling five new models at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the group became the first car manufacturer in the world to launch five new models at one time.

Lotus recently announced a closer collaboration with Toyota for expanding its current deal to supply engines and other performance equipment, so the sports cars shown in Paris are purported to use Toyota-sourced engines.

The Lotus sports cars would be released in the market one by one every year starting with the Elan in 2013.

Here's a quick rundown of the future for Lotus:

Lotus Elan Concept

Lotus Elan is a two-seater or optional 2+2 and is slated for market release in 2013 with an expected retail price of about $120,000. The Lotus Elan is powered by a 450-horsepower supercharged 4.0-liter V6 mounted behind the seats with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Lotus said the Elan’s styling is inspired by the 1978 Lotus that won the Formula 1 World Championship (with Mario Andretti at the wheel). A Ferrari-style hybrid (KERS) regenerative braking system could be an option. Lotus also said that a hybrid will be available using a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).

Lotus Elite Concept

The front-mid-engined Elite has a 5.0-liter V8 engine making 611 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, good for a 0-to-60-mph time in the 3.5-second range. Top speed is 195 miles per hour. The engine is mated to a full-hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS; a hybrid engine is planned to be optional. The new Lotus Elite is set for market release in 2014 with an expected retail price of about $180,000.

Lotus Esprit Concept

Set to go on sale in spring 2013, the Esprit is a two-seat rear-driver with a 5.0-liter V8 tucked behind the seats mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Lotus said the engine would make 620 hp. A kinetic-energy-recovery system, to make the Esprit a hybrid, will be an option. The transmission will be a seven-speed dual-clutch unit. Lotus says the car will weigh about 3,190 pounds and carry a price of about $173,000.

Lotus Eterne Concept

The Lotus Eterne sedan will arrive in spring 2015 with a sticker price of about $189,000. Besides seating four in relative comfort, Lotus promises the Eterne will be a “true sports car”. The drivetrain is rear-wheel drive, with available all-wheel drive. It utilizes the same 620-horsepower, 5.0-liter Lexus V-8 as the Esprit. That is good enough for a 60 mph run in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of about 196 mph and there will be a KERS hybrid option.

Lotus Elise Concept

A redesign for the Lotus Elise is set to arrive in spring 2015. It will remain a feather-light, rear-engine, rear-drive, two-seater. It will also retain a manual transmission (6-speed) and a four-cylinder motor (about 320 horsepower). The Elise powertrain will also have a start/stop function to reduce emissions. Curb weight will be about 2,400 pounds. The expected price is $55,000.