Autocar has the skinny on the next-generation Lotus Exige and Esprit. Dany Bahar, Group Lotus chief executive, dropped a few details on both models while speaking to the publication about the renewal of his contract with the sports car maker.
Bahar has signed on with Lotus for another four years, which means he’ll be around to see the launch of the 2013 Esprit. The vehicle is crucial to Bahar’s five-year plan for Lotus and should give the company a legitimate halo vehicle when it goes on sale. Motor Authority reports the vehicle will be available as a hybrid that uses an in-house V8 engine paired with an electric motor.
Meanwhile, additional Esprit models will provide no-compromise performance. Speaking of performance, word has it Lotus will work up its own V6 engine in the near future for use in the company’s next-generation Exige. Currently, Lotus relies on Toyota to supply its powerplants.
Bahar has also made it clear that Lotus will expand its motorsport endeavors in the near future as part of his quest to make Lotus a British version of Porsche. We certainly can’t complain about that.
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