Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit Concept previews upcoming revival of a legend

Lotus is ready to make a big impact at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It brought five concept vehicles to the show (more on the other four in short order), and one in particular has us salivating. Lotus plans to revive the much-loved Esprit for the 2013 model year. Before we see a production version of that car, the automaker is showcasing its Lotus Esprit Concept.Taking cues from the old Esprit, the Esprit Concept plunks its engine amidship, though...

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Paris 2010: Lotus Elise Concept evolves the sports car

There's no denying that Lotus had lost its way prior to the release of the much-loved Elise. The company that Colin built had strayed from its roots of lightweight sports cars and drifted towards the exotic realm... and it had drastic effects on the company's bottom line. Thankfully, the Elise and its hard-core cousin, the Exige, set the company back on the straight and narrow.All of this begs the question, though: How do you update a modern classic...

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Paris 2010: Lotus debuts Eterne hybrid sedan concept

When we think of Lotus, the words "hybrid" and "sedan" aren't exactly the first words that come to mind. Now, though, Lotus is changing all that with the introduction of its Eterne concept, a four-door sedan with an optional hybrid powertrain. This may be a big step in a different direction for Lotus, but it's nothing new. The Eterne takes the same shape as the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and Audi A7 Sportback.Like the new Esprit concept,...

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Paris 2010: Lotus Elan Concept stuns the crowds

We didn't see this one coming. Lotus' five-car concept explosion at the Paris Motor Show is one of the most welcome surprises sprung on us in recent memory... and the biggest surprise of all may be this Elan. Lotus says its new Elan is slated for a debut in 2013, which makes us wonder what the future may have in store for the current Evora. Pricing for the 2013 Elan is set at $118,500 (£75,000).In any case, the Elan is powered by a 450-horsepower...

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Review: 2009 Lotus Exige S 260

Over its 61-year history, Lotus Cars has spent a considerable amount of time clawing its way back from the brink of insolvency. The company's most recent bout with financial disrepair came in the early Nineties after the front-wheel-drive Elan proved a commercial failure (surprise!) and the Esprit toiled away in the shadows of newer, more powerful supercars. As hope for the historic marque's triumphant return began to fade, a group of Lotus engineers...

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Frankfurt 2009: Lotus Elise Club Racer and Exige Cup 260

Another show, another pair of special editions from Lotus. This time around it's the Elise Club Racer and the Exige Cup 260, two lightweight specials based on the company's core product range.We brought you details and photos of both a few weeks ago in the ramp-up to the show, but stopped by to have a closer look at the pair while we were there checking out the race-spec Evo...

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Frankfurt 2009: Lotus Evora Type 124

Few automakers are as deeply rooted in motorsport as Lotus. So it comes as no surprise that, so soon after its release, the British sportscar-maker and engineering firm has already come out with a racing version of its new Evora.Tagged with the Type 124 label, the new sportscar is converted from four seats to one, but the stripped-out, competition-spec interior is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg for the GT3-spec racer. The Toyota-sourced V6,...

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