New Lotus 'Eagle' finally breaks cover
Clive Goldthorp
Lotus' new 2+2 showcases its innovative VVA architecture
Lotus Cars have, after what seems like an interminable wait, today
released the above photograph and technical details of the company’s first
all-new model since the Elise, which was launched way back in 1995.
The new mid-engined 2+2 sportscar will be officially launched at
the British International Motor Show on the 22nd July, 2008 when the car’s
name will be announced. AROnline understands that three previously
unused ‘E’ names are still under consideration and that the final
decision will only be made at the last minute.
A Lotus-modified Toyota 3.5 litre V6 engine equipped with dual
VVT-i (intelligent variable valve timing) and producing 276bhp powers the new
car while some sources suggest that the torque figure should be at least 250lb/ft.
The car features an aluminium chassis with a composite roof while braking and
suspension are taken care of by 350mm four-pot AP Racing brakes, Bilstein dampers
and Eibach springs.
Lotus Cars have not, as yet, compiled full performance figures
for the new car but have indicated that these will be released when the first
cars become available for Test Drives in six months’ time. However, the
company says that “early indications suggest a maximum speed of 160mph”
and that “the 0-60mph from standstill is estimated at sub 5 seconds.”
Lotus Cars’ own Ride and Handling Engineers, who have been hammering early
prototypes around the Nürburgring, rate the new car as faster than the
Elise and more stable at speed than the Exige.
Project Eagle’s design brief placed an emphasis on more than
just performance as Head of Design, Russell Carr, explains: “the modern
customer also demands that the product offers real-world usability as well as
exotic imagery. Therefore every element of the car’s exterior and interior
has been carefully designed to create a product that offers comfort and convenience
as well as traditional performance car attributes.”
The 2+2 versions of Project Eagle therefore feature rear seats
which are suitable for children and have ISOFIX mountings for secure child seat
fitment while the leather-trimmed interior and dashboard have blue LED lighting
and an Alpine multi-media system with a 7 inch touch screen providing advanced
audio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth hands-free telephone and iPod® connectivity
functions. A Bergstrom-developed air-conditioning system will be standard on
all models while on-board tyre pressure monitoring will be either standard or
optional depending on model and market.
Lotus Cars plans to build just 2000 units of the new model a year
and aims to start deliveries of the first cars on the 1st May, 2009. AROnline
understands that the company’s Product Planners envisage an eight year
life for Project Eagle and that two-seater, convertible and high performance
versions are all in the pipeline – the engine bay can, reportedly, accommodate
a supercharger.
Mike Kimberley, the CEO of Group Lotus plc, who has had a long-held
belief that Lotus Cars needs to achieve an annual production volume of 5000
units, commented: “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.”
Jaguar celebrates 60 years of XK with the XK60
Jaguar will showcase a new look for XK in celebration of 60 years
of the iconic nameplate at this year's British International Motor Show. The
new XK60 will take pride of place alongside representatives from the full Jaguar
model range, each with a success story for 2008.
XK
In 1948, Jaguar created what would become one of the most famous automotive
names in the world, as the all-new and highly advanced XK engine made its debut
in the revered XK120 sports car. Now, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of that
iconic car, Jaguar is launching a very special series of the current XK for
the UK market - the uniquely equipped and aptly named XK60, a car that pays
homage to the legendary performance of its predecessors.
Complementing the XK60 on the stand will be the recently introduced
XKR-S, a limited edition sports coupe in Ultimate Black designed to give an
even more focused, high speed performance driving experience. Capable of 0-60mph
in 4.9 seconds and with a maximum speed extended to a limited 174mph (280km/h),
this is the fastest Jaguar since the XJ220 supercar. With just 50 available
in the UK, every XKR-S is already spoken for.
XJ
Sitting alongside the two XK models will be Jaguar's acclaimed XJ 2.7-litre
diesel, which was recently crowned 'Britain's Greenest Luxury Car' for the second
year running - voted for by the Environmental Transport Association. The award
was given in recognition of Jaguar's commitment to delivering CO2 and fuel consumption
advantages to XJ customers, with the development of an industry-leading diesel
engine and the application of an advanced lightweight aluminium body structure.
XF
With over 7,000 orders in the bank in the UK and more than 21,000 worldwide,
the introduction of the multi-award winning Jaguar XF has been a resonating
success for the brand. Both the 4.2-litre SV8 and the 2.7-litre diesel XF will
be on display at the show; the latter wearing 'Car of the Year' stickers to
celebrate the What Car? magazine win earlier this year.
Other notable XF Awards include: 'Car of the Year' from What
Diesel magazine, 'Design of the Year' from Autocar, 'Limo of the
Year' from Top Gear magazine, 'Interior of the Year' from CAR Magazine
and 'Car of the Year' from The Sun Motoring.
X-TYPE
Completing the Jaguar stand at the show will be the new X-TYPE Estate which
now offers the combination of diesel power with automatic transmission - pairing
the 2.2 litre diesel with a six-speed automatic, and the one-touch control of
Jaguar Sequential Shift - broadening the new model's appeal to buyers who previously
could not have this combination in an X-TYPE.
The new X-TYPE automatic diesel - on sale from March - combines
high levels of refinement with optimised performance and economy, and promises
more choice and even greater luxury, to appeal especially to a younger, more
family-orientated audience. With an even better value-for-money proposition
for buyers, sales are up 41% versus 2007 since the March on-sale date.