Eventually, history will record the 2010 Paris Motor Show as the beginning of Lotus’ turnaround, or as the beginning of the revered sports car manufacturer’s end. It was that show where Lotus displayed an astonishing seven concept models, leading many to believe that then-CEO Dany Bahar was a visionary. The more cynical viewed the company as doomed, since even a major manufacturer couldn’t pull off that many new models in a condensed time frame.
Two years later, Lotus has a new parent and Bahar is gone from the company. New owners DRB-Hicom insist that everything is fine at Lotus, yet rumors persist that the historic marque is being shopped for a buyer. Now, Autocar (via Left Lane News) reports that the development work on the company’s potential flagship, the all-new Esprit, is nearing completion. Despite this, the magazine’s anonymous insider says that a green light for production has yet to be given.
That seems to be proof positive that Lotus is for sale, as its clear that DRB-Hicom doesn’t want to invest the money to bring the concept to production. Given the declining worldwide market for supercars, perhaps that’s a wise decision; on the other hand, having a finalized design for an all-new, range-topping supercar could be just what DRB needs to close a deal on Lotus.
Will the Esprit see production? This is just a guess, but we’d say not as long as DRB-Hicom controls the company’s finances.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
