Lotus "Project Eagle" is officially revealed, but it's actually called...

[HeilSvenska]

@ Wimbledon
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/02/article-0-01D0EEC300000578-32_468x286.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/02/article-0-01D0F0D100000578-945_468x286.jpg

@ Harrod's
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/02/article-0-01CBD5C400000578-828_468x286.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/02/article-0-01CBD99C00000578-102_468x286.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/02/article-0-01C22B8F00000578-882_468x286.jpg

It's not a new Doctor Who promo, but it's for the Lotus Eagle, which is having its own "faceless" moment.

http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/6/30/9080630.001/9080630.001.1M.jpg

The countdown website says "True character will emerge...", implying that those faceless people may be someone famous.

http://www.facelesspeople.com/

[HeilSvenska]

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/07/2010_Lotus-Eagle.jpg

3.5L Toyota sourced V6
350mm four-pot AP racing brakes, Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs
2+"2" configuration

[yg60m]

It looks good IMO :-)

[zenvar]

I agree, nice looking car. Not the best in the world, but better than a lot.

[CarlZ]

beauty....I want a lotus now!:love: :-P:thumbup:

[RC45]

What "niche" is this supposed to fill?

Is the idea just to sell it to people who want to be seen in them? The car will be a dud on the track, so it's got to be aimed at street drivers.

[Vansquish]

It definitely looks good...will probably handle beautifully and be a joy on a twisty country road...like RC45 though, I expect it won't be all that terribly impressive on the track. On the other hand, I'm a little concerned that the Artega GT and Farbio GTS are both similarly-sized, may be similarly quick, and certainly appear to have somewhat more cohesive styling...

[Pokiou]

What "niche" is this supposed to fill?

Is the idea just to sell it to people who want to be seen in them? The car will be a dud on the track, so it's got to be aimed at street drivers.

So your driven this car and know that it's a dud on the track.. cut the bullshit.. seriously.

[pitfield]

What "niche" is this supposed to fill?

Is the idea just to sell it to people who want to be seen in them? The car will be a dud on the track, so it's got to be aimed at street drivers.

dood, it's a lotus...

[pitfield]

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/07/2010_Lotus-Eagle.jpg

3.5L Toyota sourced V6
350mm four-pot AP racing brakes, Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs
2+"2" configuration

Saab 9-3 Vector Sport Wheels

http://www.smartlease.co.uk/saab%209-3%20convertible%20black.jpg

[RC45]

So your driven this car and know that it's a dud on the track.. cut the bullshit.. seriously.

Its a 2+2.. it will be heavier than the elise/exige so will NOT be able to be a substitute for it. That is the point. Lotus needs to maintain its reputation for a light track ready niche autos and not try be something they are not.

So - how many Elise/Exige/Super 7's have you driven...? seriously.. cut the bullshit. (you are supposed mutter "Touche" under your breath when you read this) :)

BTW, I love how everyone is entitled to an opinion, as long as its the same as the main stream - and that anyone else being a freethinker is lambasted for their view. ;)

dood, it's a lotus...

... the same way a 4 door luxo sedan is a Maserati.. in name and badge only.

[Spiffu]

4 seats have no business in a Lotus. Goes against everything they represent.

[gobs3z]

What "niche" is this supposed to fill?

Is the idea just to sell it to people who want to be seen in them? The car will be a dud on the track, so it's got to be aimed at street drivers.

Is it possible that the 2+2 configuration is for insurance purposes? Who uses the rear seats in a porsche, but somehow you can order a gt3 with rear seats? :laugh: Anyways, according to the rumor mill they sent back the new Esprit for not being Lotus enough, which I interpret as light weight, but that might just be me being overly optimistic.

[5vz-fe]

2+2 means you can kiss ur legs goodbye when you get in the backseat of the car. To be honest, I cannot see how you can fit 4 ppl in to this car with the engine at the back.

This car is going to be as successful as the Ferrari Mondial / GT4.

All ppl what a track car will buy the Elise or Exige, ppl that wants a 2 + 2 will buy the 911.

[HeilSvenska]

2+"2" means that you have kids (under 14) or dogs (sub-Lab) or mild penchant for shopping.

[RC45]

^^^ or dont have a Minivan or enough money for a Cayenne ;)

[MidEngine4Life]

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/07/2010_Lotus-Eagle.jpg

3.5L Toyota sourced V6
350mm four-pot AP racing brakes, Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs
2+"2" configuration


Ill take it

[HeilSvenska]

Saab 9-3 Vector Sport Wheels

http://www.smartlease.co.uk/saab%209-3%20convertible%20black.jpg
lol. They do look very similar.

[HeilSvenska]

Found the press release. It's too long so I'll summarize.


-only mid-engined 2+2 in production
-the name ... will be announced at the British Motorshow on 22nd July at an 11:30 press conference
-3.5-litre V6
-280 PS
-lightweight chassis technology

-sumptuous leather surfaces

-flush-mounted controls that glow with blue LED haloes and a stylised speedometer and rev counter
-As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a purely two-seater, the space in the rear being allocated to luggage storage. Other derivatives are also planned for the future, including a convertible and an ultra-high performance version.

-Deliveries of Project Eagle will begin in Spring 2009, and with only 2000 of the hand crafted cars planned each year

-Patrick Dempsey is just one of the high profile collectors who are on the waiting list for a test drive. BAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!

"Project Eagle is the biggest milestone Lotus has achieved since the Elise was born 13 years ago. We are currently working at broadening the appeal of the Lotus brand through an aggressive 5-year model plan of which this car represents the first exciting step."

-flat-bottomed steering wheel, premium quality material and finishes, British handcrafted ambience, modern, precision-engineered aluminium inserts and hi-fi quality, edge-lit switches, contrast stitched leather panel... and touch screen SAT NAV, remote release glove box, storage bins and integrated "cup holders"... iPod® connectivity, optional reversing camera, removable hard-drive, on-board tyre pressure monitoring, automatic garage and gate opening remote... This is still a Lotus, right?

-The rear seats of 2+2 versions of Project Eagle are intended for children or smaller adults on short journeys. To maximise comfort in the rear, there is foot-room under the seats in front, while both back seats feature ISOFIX mountings for secure child seat fitment.

-When unoccupied, the rear seats provide a convenient stowage area for briefcases and jackets... The boot, which ingeniously features a fresh air cooling system to reduce the effect of heat ingress from the engine bay, will accommodate a set of golf clubs.

-Lotus aluminium chassis technology and a tubular steel seatbelt anchorage frame that also acts as a rollover structure.

-Anti-lock brakes are standard as are traction and stability controls (required by US law) by Bosch

-modified Toyota's 3.5-litre V6, with dual VVT-i

-While for Lotus top speed is of less importance than stability at speed, early indications suggest a maximum speed of 160 mph; the 0-60 mph sprint from standstill is estimated at sub 5 seconds (prototype figures).

Still not out for six months... bastards!

[pitfield]

Its a 2+2.. it will be heavier than the elise/exige so will NOT be able to be a substitute for it. That is the point. Lotus needs to maintain its reputation for a light track ready niche autos and not try be something they are not.

So - how many Elise/Exige/Super 7's have you driven...? seriously.. cut the bullshit. (you are supposed mutter "Touche" under your breath when you read this) :)

BTW, I love how everyone is entitled to an opinion, as long as its the same as the main stream - and that anyone else being a freethinker is lambasted for their view. ;)



... the same way a 4 door luxo sedan is a Maserati.. in name and badge only.

I meant the bit about the niche, Lotus invented that niche.

[silentm]

it's very nicely designed, but if it's aimed at golf club swinging dudes then i guess this really isn't a Lotus anymore >_>

[haro]

I agree with silentm

[HeilSvenska]

More is good.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Lotus/Concepts/1578853144.jpghttp://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Lotus/1578853349.jpg
http://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Lotus/Concepts/1578853411.jpghttp://www.autocar.co.uk/contentImages//Car/Lotus/Concepts/1578853923.jpg

I have to say. That is a really nice dashboard design.

Autocar says £45,000, 13 inches longer (than the Elise) wheelbase, "enough rear legroom for a 5ft-tall female passenger", 80mm shorter than a Porsche 911, weighing less than 1400kg, suggested 165-170mph as a top speed and a 0-60mph time in the five-second bracket

[marcefer]

YES !!!!
"integrated "cup holders"... iPod® connectivity, optional reversing camera," and room for golf clubs.
Fantastic!

Isn't that just what everyone wants in a Lotus? :-D
It will now have all the essentials for a serious and complete driving experience !!!;-)

[5vz-fe]

^Well, at least the engine from Camry will be reliable LOL.

The success story of Pagani really saids it alot. You don't need to have alot of different models to be successful. All you need is a really good one and keep improving it. Lotus has the Elise and Exige. Given the size of the company, they really should put all resources on the next generation of that.

[Evo8]

Its a 2+2.. it will be heavier than the elise/exige so will NOT be able to be a substitute for it. That is the point. Lotus needs to maintain its reputation for a light track ready niche autos and not try be something they are not.
Lotus needs money.

Take SUV, also usually called "truck" by their owners. What badge is expected? A "truck" should be Mitsubishi, Toyota, Jeep, Ford... but for whatever's sake, a truck from Porsche? Yet they seem to be making lots of money on it. People want to a SUV, and they want a Porsche, and they want it cheap - make what the market wants and profit. Even though it's got nothing to do with real Porsches.

[RC45]

[quote=5vz-fe;841399 Lotus has the Elise and Exige. Given the size of the company, they really should put all resources on the next generation of that.[/quote]

That is what I was thinking.

I know a lot of folks with extra disposable income who bought their Lotus to be their "light weight sports car". They have Benz's Beemers and Mazzaratty's for posing and going to the country club in.

I doubht Lotus will entice those folks away from their "Badge Mobiles".

[HeilSvenska]

It's called the Evora.

http://www.lotusevora.com/