DanyBaharFan 0 Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Wolf Zimmermann - Is he still at Lotus? I still see his profile on the website where others have been taken down yet couldnt spot him in the recent team photos of the new Exige coming off of the production line at Hethel.....any news/updates please? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J400GED 1 Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 Yes he is Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stirling_Villeneuve 105 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 ...and working on? Quote Currently having an illicit affair with another marque, be back in the fold one day... Link to post Share on other sites
NedaSay 835 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Adapting some sourced engine to the esprit engine bay or better continuing work one the V8... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Iconic Ride 267 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 If he goes, the V8 goes. Perhaps they are retaining him until a final decision is made on whether to soldier on with the new V8's development. And, as that engine is targeted for the New Esprit, the timeline for the chassis itself (which at this point seems to be in flux due to financial constraints) will determine the viability of further powerplant progression. By most accounts he brings with him the necessary talent to design and build the engine---it already exists at some undefined level of advancement---and to show him the door at this point would ensure a "square one" Esprit program IMO. It would be nice to hear just what he's up to at the moment. Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to post Share on other sites
hedgerley 440 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 As has been said before, Esprit engine 'mules' have been on the road for over a year. Speaking with Donato Coco at Goodwood he indicated that apart from the design changes (from the concept) the engine is providing much more power and flexibility than originally envisaged and development has progressed very well. It would be a crying shame if this was ditched as well as financial stupidity given the money sunk into the programme already. And besides, DRB have already said that Esprit development continues apace. albeit delayed. As for the design changes these seem to be, in Donato's words "lower, wider, more aggressive" and with a stronger visual link to the previous Esprit. He said that as an existing Esprit owner I would be very pleased with the result. That's very subjective of course but I live in hope (I am the eternal optimist of course) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest surferphil Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Sounds perfect! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NedaSay 835 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 ^^^ sounds perfect indeed. Now I'd just like to see some new leaked pics of the thing at the Nurburgring or in the artic circle! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest surferphil Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 ^^^ sounds perfect indeed. Now I'd just like to have the moon on a stick! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Iconic Ride 267 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Mark, your post providing Donato's comments at Goodwood have given me hope. Lotus may be keeping their cards close to the vest, but it appears that they still have a few aces up their sleeves. Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to post Share on other sites
mayevora 1,181 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 ^^^ sounds perfect indeed. Now I'd just like to see some new leaked pics of the thing at the Nurburgring or in the artic circle! Don't know if these have been posted before but found these a couple of weeks back. Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Link to post Share on other sites
NedaSay 835 Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 These pics were posted back in may by the Bibs himself I believe, but it's good to see them again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hedgerley 440 Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) They first appeared in Autocar back in May - I posted it back then along with the article. This appeared after all the dust had settled and production had re-started. As I said, I live in hope. As I said at the time, it obviously has a drogue chute at the back so it must be quick! And if you missed it, Lotus also made the announcement on their own Facebook page around the same time = https://www.facebook...135849009792886 Edited September 5, 2012 by hedgerley Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NedaSay 835 Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 Sorry Mark... kudos where it's due. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gus82 0 Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 Are you sure that those pictures aren't of a Ferrari 458 mule for testing the engine or gearbox or something? The front, middle and rear all look very similar! Even the door mirrors!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Iconic Ride 267 Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 I sure hope it's a mule, Angus. It doesn't strike me (from these rather grainy pics, anyway) as being very "Esprit-like" in appearance. Not "wedgy" enough me thinks. Still, if the pics and accompanying article are in fact an indication that development (of the engine at least) continues, then carry on I say. Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest surferphil Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 If it is a disguised Esprit; then it isn't a 'mule' it's a test car. The wheel base looks way too short, proportions are all wrong so I hope this isn't anything like the new Esprit. If it's a mule it would probably be a lotus already in production, just slightly modified to fit what ever it was testing. It looks like an Exige mule to me, hopefully carrying the V8 but may just be the Exige V6 test car disguised and nothing to do with the Esprit.If I were a gamblin' man, I'd put my money on Exige V6 test car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 11,126 Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Crude, but it's not a 458... Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest surferphil Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 (edited) It's just a disguised one of these. If I were a gamblin' man..... Edited September 6, 2012 by surferphil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 11,126 Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 ^ That's the Exige test car and different to the pic Mark posted. *Interestingly enough shot from exactly the same spot though! I wonder how accidental these pics really are!! Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest surferphil Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 (edited) Look at the shapes, the one Mark posted is disguised to hide the new Exige Styling. It's often deliberate, that's what marketing refer to as a leaked photo, helps gain momentum for a product launch and interest in the brand. Range Rover drove a fleet of 'disguised' Evoques around the world as a publicity stunt. I just drove one down the test track. Edited September 6, 2012 by surferphil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Iconic Ride 267 Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 *Interestingly enough shot from exactly the same spot though! I like my burrow just where it is, bangers-breath. Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to post Share on other sites
arbell9 21 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Two different beasts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 11,126 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 The Esprit has changed and awful lot from that mule, allegedly...! Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest surferphil Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Do you mean Mule or concept car? You mean concept car don't you. This is what happens when I have no work on! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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