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Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Eterne

Lotus Eterne

The fifth and final installment from the Lotus surprise pack at Paris this year is this four door sports saloon, the Eterne. It’s the company’s answer to the Aston Martin Rapide. So much so they even dared to borrow the swooping detail along the window line leading into the C-pillar.

Throwing Chapman’s lightness mantra even further out the window the Eterne weighs in at 1800kg. Still, for a big cruisy GT that’s probably not too bad in this day and age. The 620PS 5.0 litre V8 form the Esprit gets another guernsey here and propels the Eterne to 100km/h in 4.0 seconds, with a top speed of 315km/h.

Contradicting himself slightly Dany Bahar says, “We truly believe that there is a market for the Eterne, there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of design, capacity and performance. The biggest difference between the Eterne and it’s class competitors is that it’s not an evolution of an existing two-door model, it’s a deliberate and considered stand-alone creation. It’s the ultimate four door sports car.”

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

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Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite

You’re looking at an all new model for the Lotus brand, it’s called the Elite. In the video below it is described as a “gentleman’s car”. Basically it’s a 2+2 grand tourer fitted with the same 620PS 5.0 litre V8 from the new Esprit.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, says the company is moving with the times by providing a more luxurious sportscar. What he’s really doing is softening the blow made by the Elite’s 1650kg weight, which is starting to push the boundaries of Colin Champan‘s legacy of “simplify and add lightness”.

Bahar continues his defence accordingly, “Make no mistake, there’s a definite market requirement for the Elite – it’s the ultimate sports car feel with comfort and space. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn’t take the decision to design something like the Elite lightly, it’s based on months of careful research and planning.”

The Elite continues the new visual language so clearly defined at Paris this year and it’s certainly no slouch. Able to reach 100km/h in 3.7 seconds before achieving a v-max of 315km/h the Elite is due to go on sale in the second half of 2014.

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

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Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

Continuing the Lotus revamp is this new Elise concept. The car is not due until 2015 so there’s a whole heap of spy shots, testing images and information to come. For now, though, we can tell you the car will be powered by a 320PS 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine and with a very light 1095kg to shift around the new Elise is sure to build on the current model’s razor sharp handling prowess.

Lotus say the new Elise do the 100km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds and will have a top speed of 270km/h. The interior pics supplied are just renderings at this stage, but you can see enough to know it’s the bare essentials only, albeit presented in a slightly more upmarket finish than the current Elise.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, hopes the all-new model wll attract an all new generation to his brand, “The design of the Elise 2015 is perfect for the target market, it’s young, strong, confident, verging on ruthless, it mirrors the engineering and technology. It’s the next generation Elise for a new generation of Lotus drivers.”

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

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Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit

Lotus Esprit

“The icon is back.” That’s how Lotus has titled their press release for the new Esprit. It’s only back in concept form right now, but Lotus says the car will be on sale in 2013. The new aggressive lines and sharp edges make a bold statement and position the Esprit right in the heart of supercar territory. A fact mentioned many times in the promo video below.

The Esprit will be powered by a 5.0 litre V8 producing an inspiring peak power figure of 620PS (456kW) and a very encouraging 720Nm of torque. Tipping the scales at 1450kg (roughly the same as a Golf R) the Esprit rockets to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 330km/h.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, is pumped, “Not only does the Esprit look incredible but it has the performance to match. We’ve stuck to the Lotus core values of performance through lightweight and teamed them with future technology and exceptional engineering to ensure that the Esprit will be the leader of the pack. The design is aggressive, you have to see it to appreciate how low and wide the proportions are but it still retains a level of dignity, of class and most of all exclusivity. I’m very proud of this car.”

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

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Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Elan

Lotus Elan

Lotus has come to the Paris Motor Show, and it means business. In total they have presented five new concept cars. This is the new Elan. It’s due for release in 2013 and features a 450PS V6 engine with a 7 speed DCT. The car weighs 1295kg and can reach 100km/h in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 310km/h.

It looks pretty good don’t you think? Inside, there’s a hint of Ferrari 458 Italia with the digital display and centre console design.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, reckons they’re on to a winner, “If there was ever a car to make you drive the long way home, it’s the Elan. Perfect for both road and track, the Elan not only ticks all the boxes, it creates new ones too.”

More details after the break.

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Ford Subaru

Ken Block – Gymkhana Threepeat

Ken Block - Gymkhana Threepeat

It’s been a week since Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three video hit the tubes. Now, for your viewing convenience you can can watch all three Gymkhana videos in the one place. The YouTube clips for Gymkhana One, Two and Three are available after the break.

Following an average of 1 million hits per day since last week’s launch Ford has finally woken up and issued a press release to piggy back off Block’s internet success. Also included are three wallpaper sized images from Gymkhana Three.

Enjoy!

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin One-77: “It is alive”

Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin has dropped us a line to remind us that the release of the One-77 is drawing closer (early 2011). A new promo video can be viewed after the break. Before watching it, just remember this, with 750bhp and 750Nm on tap from the car’s 7.3 litre V12, it will have the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine that money can buy.

So, Aston reckon, anyway.

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Porsche

Porsche announces 911 Speedster

Porsche 911 Speedster

Porsche has continued to extract blood from the 911 stone by announcing a new Speedster model. Some details are bang on; the wheels, the black details in place of chrome and, yes, even that garish blue paintwork. But, is it just me, or does its arse look big in that Speedster outfit?

Never mind that, though, because this 911 Speedster will become an instant collector’s piece. A limited run of just 356 models will see to that. The sharper minds among you will see the relevance of that model count and Porsche reckon this is just the car to pay homage to the near perfection that was the original 1950s 356 Speedster.

Apart from bubble bum the new 911 Speedster gets a familiar 3.8 litre flat six engine tuned to offer a tidy 300kW. A 7 speed PDK transmission is standard fare and the front windscreen features a more aggressive rake, reducing the overall height of the Speedster by 60mm compared to a regular 911.

Sounds brill, I think I’d like one too please. Trouble is, I’ll need mid-500s to secure one. There’s always a catch! More detail after the break.

UPDATE: Also included below is the press release from Porsche UK. It’s pretty much the same as the presser from der fatherland, but it also includes a little tidbit of history on the 356.

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Porsche

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Porsche has made the shock discovery that 0.01% of the sportscar market has been left unattended. Fear not, they are about to release the 408hp 911 Carrera GTS. This seems like the fifty-seventh variation of the 911 offered by Porsche and they say it is designed to close the gap from the regular Carrera to the GT3.

The GTS will make its worldwide premiere in Paris very soon and you can read all about it after the break.

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MINI WRC

MINI WRC prototype filmed in Portugal

MINI WRC prototype

Prodrive are are testing their new MINI WRC car in Portugal this week. Thankfully, some keen rally fans have been on hand to film the action. After the break you’ll see a selection of videos posted to YouTube which show, if nothing else, the turbocharged 1.6 litre engine sounds nuts as the car rips along the gravel roads. We can only hope, for the sake of the WRC, that Prodrive get this MINI thing right!

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Ford Video

Ken Block – Gymkhana Three

Ken Block: Gymkhana THREE

As previewed earlier in the month Ken Block is back. The location for his latest rubber burning escapade? L’autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry in France. Why there? Perhaps the 51° banked corners had a fair bit to do with it.

Sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy as Kenny rips his Ford Fiesta to shreds. Quite literally.

[Thanks to Todd for the tip]

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Bentley

The new Bentley Continental GT, now in video

Bentley Continental GT

Following the release of images of the new Continental GT from Bentley you can now feast your eyes on a new video clip. Despite ending somewhat abruptly the footage has a great blend of imagery featuring production and design techniques interwoven with the big GT driving around the Ascari race track.

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