2012 Lamborghini Supercar Jota Murcielago

The first clear pictures with the all-new 2012 Lamborghini Murcielago have surfed over the web today, a supercar that will be probably named “Jota” and will replace the current Murcielago. The car will go on sale early next year and will be priced at over £300,000.

We all know Lamborghini Murciélago, has been racing around since 2002 and as its time for it to take a rest, and let its successor take onto the track. Lamborghini engineers appear to be just ready with the replacement of the mighty supercar. Taking its first learning steps in the cold weather on a VW/Audi test track somewhere in Scandinavia, the next supercar was caught test-driving by the spy photographers.

2012 Lamborghini Jota Murcielago

It might have been blisteringly cold at Volkswagen/Audi’s secret test location in northern Scandinavia, but the prototype car in question was red hot: It’s the replacement for Lamborghini’s mighty Murciélago. Rumored to be called the Jota (the name of a one-off development Lamborghini from 1970), the latest Lamborghini supercar is sure to be the greatest yet from Sant’Agata Bolognese.

2012 Lamborghini Jota Murcielago

The 2012 Lamborghini Jota Murcielago is powered by a 7.0L V12 engine that is able to deliver between 700 and 720 HP and will take this supercar to an amazing top speed of 362 km/h! The new Lambo will feature a bespoke carbon composite chassis with an aggressive and dynamic bodywork and will come with an unusually light four wheel drive system.

2012 Lamborghini Jota Murcielago

Sources indicate that this new Lambo will weight less than 1,500 kg which will probably result in a breathtaking acceleration. Since the power to weight ratio will be in the region of 470 HP per 1,000 kg the car will probably accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds.

The 2012 Lamborghini Jota Murcielago won’t feature a DSG transmission because it would be too complex and too expensive to engineer but it will come with a sequential seven speed manual with a seven speed paddle shift as standard.

2012 Lamborghini Jota Murcielago

It is also expected that a dual-clutch transmission may be used to transfer power to the four wheels of the new Lambo. Another rumour soaring around is regarding the new all-wheel drive system from Swedish supplier Haldex. Newfound lightness will come via an aluminum/carbon-fiber version of the aluminum space frame from the Audi R8, replacing the current Murciélago’s steel chassis. Other weight savings will be achieved through the use of lightweight body panels; but instead of extensive use of carbon fiber as originally thought, Lamborghini’s partnership with aircraft builder Boeing has apparently led to research into other composites that yield a better cost/benefit ratio than carbon fiber. Lamborghini’s goal going forward is that every new car tips the scales about 200 lb. less than the car it replaces.

2011 Lotus Esprit Sports Car will be a wholly different Beast powered by a 4.4 liter V8 engine

2011 Lotus Esprit Sports Car

The guys over at AutoCar have caught the upcoming Lotus Esprit testing in cold-snowy weather of Sweden. After running some DVLA records and matching the license plate, AutoCar has learned that the prototype is powered by a 4.4 liter V8 engine. Lotus sources have previously said that BMW may be the supplier for Lotus’ 2011 Esprit.It’s possible that the new Lotus Esprit will carry the 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 engine from the new BMW X6, but will most likely be tuned to develop 500 horsepower.Currently the 4.4 liter twin-turbo from V8 produces 400 horsepower. The engine is also expected to be used in other BMW models including the X5 and the 7-Series. Lotus engineers will most probably re-work the engine management to reach numbers closer the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911 Turbo.

According to Lotus insiders, the next-gen Elise will arrive sometime in early 2011 followed by an all-new V8-powered Esprit in 2012...............................2011 Lotus Esprit Sports Car

The 2011 Elise will likely be built upon an evolved version of the current model’s extruded-aluminium underpinnings and continue the same formula that’s made the pint-sized sportscar a track day fave, but the Esprit will be a wholly different beast.
While the new Elise is all but locked in, the Esprit project is very much dependent on whether Lotus can sell enough Evoras to fund it. The timeline for the Esprit is also at the mercy of the global economic situation, with Lotus likely to delay the Esprit and forge ahead with a far less costly drop-top Evora if the recession persists much longer.
If it launches on time, the Esprit could be Lotus’ best hope of gaining a much larger share of the sports car market.

There are speculations stating that the 500bhp V10 powerplant can be the source of power for the Lotus Esprit, which will be released in 2012...............................2011 Lotus Esprit Sports Car

The engine is currently being used in the Lexus LF-A, a car that has not yet been launched itself. Being connected with the Japanese carmaker Toyota, Lotus has access to its entire range of parts and components, as well as powerplants from the Lexus line. This points to the likelihood of an Esprit flagship, costing more than ?100,000, equipped with the compact 8500rpm V10 unit (to rival the Lamborghini Gallardo), including a less expensive variant equipped with the 5-liter, 417bhp V8 from the Lexus IS-F and an entry-level model coming with a Lotus-tuned direct-injection Toyota V6 unit that can come up with 300bhp.

Although a V8 or a V10 unit would definitely boost the profile of Lotus, there is also a possibility of an Eco Esprit. Lotus is moving forwards with more efficient products with lightweight engineering and its keen interest in alternative fuels and hybrid solutions. This is also underline by its partnership with the electric car manufacturer Tesla...............................2011 Lotus Esprit Sports Car

The Esprit was inspired by the larger bonded and extruded aluminum chassis of the recently launched Evora, the rear section of which have been developed to accommodate both transversely and longitudinally fitted engines. Although the Lotus has shown that it can develop a new model in a short time (the Evora, for example, was developed in 27 months), the work on the Esprit will only reach its maximum when the Evora is being swept out of showrooms in the UK, Europe and US. It is the Malaysians who are funding the Evora project, with the persuasion of Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley.