RICHBOY

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- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTERCAR online has a mystery car on its hands. They've acquired spy shots of what appears to be a new supercar undergoing testing at a UK facility, but have no idea which supercar it is. Their first guess was the same as ours – the Lotus Esprit, though the actual car that comes won't be called by that name. However, after some detective work, it's unlikely this car is the next mid-engine Lotus. It seems that the car is registered as having a 7.0L engine, which has some thinking there's a Corvette mill back there. Unfortunately, there would be no reason for the next Lotus Esprit to be testing with a giant American V8, as those cars were known for their smaller, lightweight engines. Lotus, however, is no doubt involved with the car, as paperwork bearing its logo was seen in the car's cabin. But Lotus does work for many manufacturers, so it could belong to one of its clients. The names Noble, Ascari, Audi, McLaren and Mercedes have been thrown around, but that's merely a list of automakers that have supercars under development. Any guesses? Leave them in the comments.


I'm guessing it's the new Lotus coming out next year..

Centurion

Yes that's the espirit. I wonder when they are going to get that out the door. Funny that they tried to disguise it as an R8.

zetableh

I know that Lotus usually uses smaller engines, but the old Esprit had a twin-turbo V8 at one point, and I know a lot of people praise the Chevy LS small block for it's small size and lightness. In the latest Sport Compact Car Ultimate Street Car Challenge there's a Nissan 300ZX with an LS motor under the hood, and last year there was a Mazda RX-7 also with an LS motor under it's hood.

EDIT: Just read the article. God those taillights and that wedge shape remind me of the Esprits in GT4.

Beemer B773ER

That does seem like the new Lotus Esprit.. but I don't think they were trying to disguise it as an R8.
The pictures below is what the new Esprit is most likely to look like, and i's clear to see it will probably have that 'flow over the side' sheet metal ala R8, but it seems like a legitimate design feature and not a dummy camo' thing to make it seem like an R8.




Looks like a cousin of the Gallardo... which ofcourse isn't a bad thing at all

Tycoon

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Early this year, spy photos surfaced of what was purportedly the 2010 - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Esprit. There were many skeptics, and in February sources told us the car was most definitely not a Lotus. We decided to hold off on the story until more information was available, but the Lotus story keeps getting repeated in the auto press, so we'll throw in our two cents.

Project Eagle

Today, a story began circulating that the car in question is the all-new Lotus code-named "Project Eagle," rather than the Esprit as previously speculated. Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER the 2+2 project last month.

While such a project is clearly underway at Lotus, the vehicle photographed several times this year is probably not that car.
Instead, insiders insist the car is actually the work of a very small independent British sports car maker. Apparently, it has been in development for the last three or four years. While the identity of the manufacturer is not certain, the company produces very low volumes and has not marketed a car in several years.

7.0 liter engine a clue?

The vehicle's body is made entirely of carbon fiber, our source says. Vehicle registration data based on the prototype's license plate indicates the vehicle is powered by a 7.0 liter engine — something a Lotus would never have.
The most logical assumption is the company is sourcing a seven-liter V8 from GM's - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Corvette Z06, but our insider assures us this is not the case. Might the powerplant come from Saleen or Roush? Or perhaps it's a custom job.

Lotus Engineering involved?

The prototype was registered in Milton Keynes, a location where almost every European automaker does testing. Various evidence suggest Lotus Engineering might be involved in the project. Lotus Engineering — a Lotus Group subsidiary — often helps other automakers develop cars. That might explain why Lotus papework was seen in one of the cars, and why a prototype was spotted in a Lotus paint booth.

At the end of the day, the car remains a mystery — but we'll keep you posted as the story develops.


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DaSilva

.....
maybe a Nobel