Photo : D.R. - Group Lotus

Paris Motor Show

The name 'Lotus' recently returned to F1, but that is not the end of the motorsport ambitions of the company. They have made several announcements, including a return to Le Mans 2012 in LM P2. The Paris Motor Show saw the presentation of concept cars (Elan, Elite, Elise) planned over the five years. Among them, the return of an icon, the Esprit.

The Italdesign concept, originally launched in October 1975 at the Paris motorshow was designed by Giugiaro Giorgietto , the arrival of the Esprit in showrooms from 1976 coincided with growing success in motorsport. Colin Chapman and the company he founded were on the road to a new world title in Formula 1 with Mario Andretti in 1978.

The Esprit became a film star 1977, as a amphibian 'Bond car' at the hands of Roger Moore in "The Spy Who Loved Me." In 1992, Catherine Trammell, the character immortalized by Sharon Stone in "Basic Instinct," had two: one white and one black. It had an exceptional longevity as it would be produced until as late as 2004. "In the past, people thought of the cinema at the mention of the Esprit: James Bond, 'Pretty Woman', 'Basic Instinct' ... But this time the car is the star," said Dany Bahar , CEO of Group Lotus.

Equipped with a 5-litre V8 with an output of 620 hp, this new Esprit is announced for 2013.

Jean-Philippe Doret - Translated by Dave Davies

Pictured above: the Lotus Esprit at the 'Mondial de l'Automobile' Paris Motor Show.