LOTUS USHERS IN NEW ERA WITH FOUR-DOOR ETERNE CONCEPT

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

LOTUS USHERS IN NEW ERA WITH FOUR-DOOR ETERNE CONCEPT

LIVE PHOTOS BY MARK ELIAS.

By Andrew Ganz

Intent on expanding its lineup, Lotus took the wraps off of a four-seat, four-door concept car at the Paris Motor Show: The Eterne.

Powered by either traditional gasoline or green-oriented hybrid engines, the Eterne is set to go on sale in the spring of 2015, about four and a half years after its debut this week at the Paris salon.

Part of a multi-prong expansion attack, the Eterne will go up against cars like the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

Although only one concept car has been shown, the automaker did release a number of details about its planned production units.

Lotus says that the rear-wheel-drive four-door, when powered by a 5.0-liter V8 pumping out 612 horsepower, can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.0 seconds before topping out at 315 km/h (about 195 mph). A hybrid powertrain will also be on offer, although Lotus hasn't announced any specifics.

The high-performance sedan weighs just 1,800 kg. (a touch under 4,000 lbs.) and will offer optional all-wheel-drive.

More details are expected over the coming years before the Eterne hits the road, although Lotus did say that it is aiming for a £120,000 price tag.

link:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/lotus-eterne.html

[67impss]

WOW I like this one though it is a marked departure from the light weight pocket rockets of their history.