During the last few months Lotus has been very busy building anticipation for the company's big Paris Motor Show reveal. Many, us included, expected a new Esprit but today we learned it will be a new Elite. In its final 2+2 front-engined coupe guise, the Elite has long since disappeared from the Lotus line-up but that is about to change. Don't expect the new Lotus to hit the streets before 2014. It will nevertheless be worth the wait. Under the shark-inspired body panels, the Elite will house the latest technology. Power will come from the 5 litre V8 engine that is also used in the Lexus IS-F and an optional KERS hybrid system. Combined the two systems will produce a hefty 620 bhp and 720 Nm of torque. The new Elite also features an almost invisible retractable hard-top roof. The car on display at Paris is a design prototype and the final production go ahead has not been given. We would be very surprised if the Lotus Elite will not enter production but Lotus has proved us wrong before.
One of the Elite's potential rivals is BMW's 6 series. The current model is very near the end of its production run and a new one is slated for 2011. To give us all an indication of where the German company is heading, this Concept 6 Series will be shown in Paris. The concept's design is a natural development of the Concept Gran Coupe displayed in Beijing earlier this year and the new 5 series on which the upcoming coupe and convertible will be based.

Enjoy the links:

2010 BMW Concept 6 Series - Images, Specifications and Information

2014 Lotus Elite - Images, Specifications and Information