Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit Concept

Lotus is back and in a very big way. The company teased that a new era was dawning months ago, set to be unveiled at the Paris Auto Show. At the time we speculated about it being a new Esprit concept.

And that speculation was correct, but it just so happens to be accompanied by four - yes four - other concepts as well. The Elite led the way with an introduction prior to the show.

A front-engined GT with V-8 power, the Elite signaled something big was in store. Now Lotus is presenting what will be the new top dog in its lineup - a revival of the Esprit mid-engined supercar.

While content to produce the lightweight, mid-engined (and highly successful we might add) Elise for years, Lotus decided it was time to take on the exotic manufacturers again.

We see Lotus going right after McLaren and its new MP4-12C with this one. For now the Esprit is just a concept but it is nearly a 100% preview of the production car we'll be seeing in 2013.

While recent Lotus have been powered by turbocharged Toyota four-cylinders, the Esprit swaps those for a supercharged Lexus V-8. Talk about an upgrade! The 5.0-liter V-8 in the Esprit makes, 620 horsepower, offering a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.

An expensive option that Lotus will be offering is the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) developed for Formula One race cars.

The system is designed to harness energy created during braking, offering a boost of energy activated by a button on the dash. The boost is equivalent to nitrous, but with no side effects.

If you're interested, the pricetag is set to check in at $175,000 when it hits the market in 2013. Stylistically the Esprit doesn't break much new ground, which makes us wonder how the car will differentiate itself in the marketplace.

Especially with a high pricetag - it won't be positioned as a bargain alternative. However, there are Lotus loyalists out there, along with what is likely to be a fawning British press.

What we don't have to wonder about is the excitement Lotus is bringing to the Paris Auto Show and creating in the industry. For once in this digital age of embargo breaks, we were actually taken by surprise.