Esprit V8 returns.. possibly.. maybe cant say

There are strong rumours circulating within engineering circles that Lotus may be evaluating a return of the Esprit nameplate.


What makes this particularly interesting is talk that the Mercedes AMG M177 Evo V8 is currently being tested within a modified Emira platform. If true, this would suggest Lotus is exploring a higher output combustion flagship rather than going fully electric at the top end.


With governments quietly softening timelines around full EV adoption and consumer demand cooling in several key markets, the industry appears to be recalibrating. Hybrid and high performance ICE platforms are suddenly back in strategic discussions across multiple manufacturers.


The Emira chassis has already proven to be capable and well balanced. A stretched or reengineered version accommodating a twin turbo V8 would not be beyond the realms of possibility, especially given Lotus’s existing AMG relationship for the four cylinder powertrain.


The Esprit name carries serious weight. If Lotus were to reintroduce it as a limited production halo car powered by a modernised M177 Evo with hybrid assist, it would sit perfectly between heritage and future direction.


Nothing confirmed of course, but the timing would make sense. The market is shifting. And Lotus has always thrived when it builds something unexpected.

 

[guardbuddy]

I would really love to see a V8 Emira, but sadly the big question here is whether Hethel survives long enough see such a project through. As far as I am aware Lotus's 2025 H2 results have not been published yet, but in H1 sales were down 42% compared to 2024 with a $263 million operating loss. Everything I have heard anecdotally suggests H2 figures, at least in the UK, will be worse. At what point does Geely cry enough?

I guess it really depends -- I just hope Geely is willing to commit to Lotus long term and take the time to fix its underlying issues. Hyundai largely made it work with Genesis which operated on huuuge operating losses (for like a decade!) but it is finally reaching profitability. However, that is like a decade long process. Geely has the financial capital, but their new management needs to take the reigns on the company sooner or later because these past few years seem almost directionless.