Lotus information from the LA Auto Show
As reported by Randy Chase at EliseTalk:
New SC Elise. 220 crank hp. Uses the new smaller blower mated to an integral intake manifold. Very light, only adds a bit over 8 kilos.
Exige will change over to this same blower, and drop the intercooler. Except the 240hp version.
Lotus will release a supercharger upgrade kit at some point.
2008 federal cars have tire pressure sensors. You can see a larger valve stem.
Eagle is one the way. Parts are now in production and things are going very well. Expect a product rollout towards the end of 2008 in certain countries and then release to the US market in late spring of 2009.
Esprit is following on the heals, perhaps 2 years later. It will use the same platform as the Eagle, but it may be slightly wider.
Eagle uses a new platform and forged aluminum suspension bits. The Eagle will be a 2+2 and then a 2+0 sedan. There will variants and upgrades released each year over a 6 year period at which time, there will be a new model to replace it. It will use a V6 from a well known manufacturer.
The pictures of the Eagle being shown around the internet are not accurate. Same with the Esprit mostly.
The 2-Eleven will not be coming over as a street legal version though Lotus wanted to. They just can’t based on federal regulations.
The pretty much confirms what was already suspected based on the Elise SC announcement a few weeks ago (which made no mention of US availability).