Lotus working on a 212 mph Esprit Superleggera

June 30, 2011June 30, 2011 Omar Rana Coupes, Esprit, Lotus Esprit, Lotus Esprit Superleggera, Sports Cars, Supercars

If someone told you today that a British company is on its way to build Britain’s fastest and most powerful production, you would probably think they are talking about Aston Martin or McLaren Automotive. Well, you’re thinking wrong (at least for now).

According to Lotus’ chief technical officer Wolf Zimmermann, the company is planning a Superleggera version of the next-generation Esprit at and development is underway at the company’s HQ in Hethel, Norfolk.

Power for the Lotus Esprit Superleggera will come from a 4.8 liter V8 built by Lotus itself. The engine will pump out a maximum of 612-hp and will be mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic gearbox that will offer rapid shifts.

That will allow the Espirit Supperleggera the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds with a top speed of 212 mph.