First Lotus Eagle pic surfaces, along with details on the 2+2

First Lotus Eagle pic surfaces, along with details on the 2+2

Filed under: Coupes, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows


Click above for a high-res image of the Lotus "Eagle."

Lotus has released the first image and all the details on its new coupe ahead of its unveiling at the London Motor Show next week. A 3.5-liter Toyota V6 mounted amidships, producing 276 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque will power the new 2+2. Performance estimates are sketchy right now, but assuming Lotus holds with tradition and keeps the pounds off, the 0-60 time should be below five seconds, with a top speed approaching 160 mph.

While it's still not clear if the new Lotus will carry an Eagle badge at its debut, it will be packing an extra set of "Isofix" seats behind the front seat passengers that can accommodate children up to nine years old or cast members from the Cirque du Soleil. Thankfully, there will be an option to convert the rear seats into a storage compartment.

Inside the leather-lined cabin, drivers get to enjoy amenities previously thought frivolous on the Elise/Exige, including storage bins, cup holders, blue LED lighting, air conditioning, traction control, tire pressure monitoring and a Alpine stereo with a seven-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity and iPod connections.

Sales will be limited to around 2000 units per year when the Eagle hits dealers in the spring of 2009, with an approximate sticker of £45,000. A convertible version and a high-performance variant are also planned, and according to sources, the Eagle is considerably faster than the Elise around the Nurburgring and more planted at speed than the Exige.

The Eagle is part of the automaker's effort to broaden its appeal, and that will also include two new models due out in October of 2011.

Make the jump for the press release.Continue reading First Lotus Eagle pic surfaces, along with details on the 2+2



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Very promising. 3.5 liter V6 sounds like the 1MZ-FE in the Camry and Sienna.

I'm guessing it's the 2GR-FE. The 1MZ-FE is only 3.0L

I guess I was referring to the newer 1MZ-FE with vvti, but not that I check it, it only makes 210 hp.

There was also a 3.3L variant of the 1MZ available in the last gen Camry and ES.

Oh well. 3.3 still isn't the 3.5 they were referring to. I think it is the 2GR-FE. Or maybe the 2GR-FSE. I think it's the latter.