Lotus released the first picture of their Lotus ‘Project Eagle’. The official name of the ‘Project Eagle’ is still to be announced at the launch of the car at the London Motor Show next week. Set out in 2006, the Lotus Eagle is the first of 3 new models to be seen in the next 5 years from Lotus as a part of growth plan initiated by Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley.
The Project Eagle will be a totally new 2+2 sportscar with a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6. Producing 280hp, the V6 enables the lightweight Lotus to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds and reach a topspeed of 160 mph. But Lotus has always been famous for their fantastic handling that allows for a lot of fun both on- as off the track. Lotus engineers report that the Project Eagle is much faster around the Nürburgring than the Elise and more stable at speed than the Exige, so that promises a lot for the new Lotus Eagle!
PRESS RELEASE:
The New Distinctive, Mid-engined, 2+2 Sportscar from Lotus
Eagerly anticipated and making its official global debut at the British Motorshow in London on July 22nd, the first all-new car from Lotus since the iconic Elise in 1995, will enter the sportscar market as the only mid-engined 2+2 in production.
The new car, which is known only by its project name ‘Eagle’, is a more holistic offering than the Elise and Exige models that have been so massively popular with track day enthusiasts. The car, the name for which will be announced at the British Motorshow on 22nd July at an 11:30 press conference, is designed for people who desire exotic sportscar characteristics of stunning design, exclusivity, dramatic proportions and performance. Project Eagle also offers real-world usability and a unique sense of occasion.
Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 PS, the new car employs innovative lightweight chassis technology to ensure visceral all-round dynamic performance, in keeping with the great Lotus tradition. Even in the very early stages of development testing, Lotus ride and handling engineers report that it is considerably faster around the famously demanding Nürburgring circuit than the Elise and more stable at speed than the Exige.
Inside, Project Eagle cocoons occupants with a sumptuous leather surfaces juxtaposed with contemporary high-tech features. With driver focused instrumentation the driver sits in cockpit-esque surroundings. A beautifully appointed dash boasts tactile details such as flush-mounted controls that glow with blue LED haloes and a stylised speedometer and rev counter ensuring that controls are both attractive and accessible.
Styled in-house by Lotus Design, the Project Eagle’s sleek, sophisticated and attention-snaring lines brilliantly disguise its ability to accommodate passengers in the rear of the cabin, giving the car the external characteristics of a small, nimble sportscar whilst belying its internal space. As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a purely twoseater, the space in the rear being allocated to luggage storage. Other derivatives are also planned for the future, including a convertible and an ultrahigh performance version.
Deliveries of Project Eagle will begin in Spring 2009, and with only 2000 of the hand crafted cars planned each year, this exclusive and unique car is creating a real stir with celebrity enthusiasts around the world. Hollywood actor and car enthusiast Patrick Dempsey is just one of the high profile collectors who are on the waiting list for a test drive.
Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, had this to say about the new model: “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.
