The new Lotus Esprit could be ready for 2012

The British carmaker Lotus has provided us with a rendered image of the new version of the Lotus Esprit due to go on sale in 2012. This model will be a potential rival to the Audi R8.

First produced in 1976, the original Lotus Esprit was based on a concept shown at the 1972 Turin Motor Show. Created by the legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Lotus Esprit was launched as a sleek sports car but with little power. Over the years the model gained more power, reaching the 350 CV of the 2004 Lotus Esprit V8.

In its 28 years of life, 10,675 units have been sold, and the hope for a new model is that enough units of the current model will sell.

If enough units sell, the new Esprit could fit the V8 engine, although it is not entirely certain since, if the company remains tied to Toyota, the new Lotus would fit a 3.5-litre V6 like those in the Toyota Supra GT500 race cars.

Externally, the next Esprit should be wider and longer than the Lotus Évora. It would be a mix between the Évora and the Elise. In the image we see the front of an Évora that is wider, with a larger grille, and the rear of the car could resemble that of the Lotus Elise.

With luck we will see the new Lotus Esprit unveiled in 2011 and on sale in 2012.

Via | World Car Fans