Lotus Esprit Mule Hints At The Return Of An Icon

The Esprit is one of Lotus’ best known models and is still fondly remembered today.

The automaker famously announced a revival a decade ago and promised the car would return in 2013 with a bold new design as well as a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that produced up to 612 hp (456 kW / 620 PS). That obviously never happened, but the company hasn’t given up on the idea of bringing the Esprit back.

Fast forward to today and spy photographers have caught new pictures of the Esprit. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to see as the mule is based on the Evora and features extended wheel arches which hint at a wider track.

Also Read: Lotus Esprit Mule Spotted Hiding Under An Evora Body For The First Time

The production model will look nothing like this mule as it’s expected to have a modern design which is heavily influenced by the Evija. We can also expect a two-seat interior which is more luxurious and high-tech than the one found in the Evora.

Lotus hasn’t said much about the Esprit, but previous reports have suggested the car is a stop-gap model that will serve as a bridge between the existing Lotus lineup and future models. As a result, it’s expected to ride on an updated version of the Evora’s platform rather than an all-new architecture.

Little else is known about the car at this point, but could use a hybrid powertrain with a V6 engine sourced from Toyota. While a lot of details remain unclear, it’s believed the Esprit will have more than 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS).

The Esprit was originally expected to be introduced next year, but it’s possible the coronavirus could have delayed those plans.