If the fact that the white Lotus Esprit submersible from the 1977 James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me was a mere non-functioning prop bugged you, well, we have news for your; Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, was confirmed as having purchased it with the intent to make it work like people thought it would, through the use of a Tesla-sourced electric powertrain (and other necessary innovations).
Musk told USA Today that he too was disappointed that the Esprit in question was a mere prop, wanting to do something about it, and thus, as Jalopnik reported earlier this week, he was the one who paid the $866,000 price reached during the auctioning off. He was rewarded once for thinking a Lotus would work well with an electric powertrain, so perhaps he can do it again, though this task is a little bit more daunting.
The satisfaction one can reap from its success is proportional, though, and he will be able to share it with all those who know the vehicle from the movie, but is aware of the truth (it could be driven underwater, but only by a scuba diver with special gear).
If Musk wants to win international praise, then he has to ensure the interior is dry and pressurized when underwater and have working retractable wheels, as well as fins that pop out, but aren’t there when you drive on the road for… obvious width reasons.
By Andrei Nedelea
Photo Credits: Tim Scott Courtesy of RM Auctions
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