Elon Musk Buys Bond Movie Lotus Esprit Sub with the Intent to Make it Functional!

If the fact that the white Lotus Esprit submersible from the 1977 James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me was a mere non-functioning prop bugged you, well, we have news for your; Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, was confirmed as having purchased it with the intent to make it work like people thought it would, through the use of a Tesla-sourced electric powertrain (and other necessary innovations).

Musk told USA Today that he too was disappointed that the Esprit in question was a mere prop, wanting to do something about it, and thus, as Jalopnik reported earlier this week, he was the one who paid the $866,000 price reached during the auctioning off. He was rewarded once for thinking a Lotus would work well with an electric powertrain, so perhaps he can do it again, though this task is a little bit more daunting.

The satisfaction one can reap from its success is proportional, though, and he will be able to share it with all those who know the vehicle from the movie, but is aware of the truth (it could be driven underwater, but only by a scuba diver with special gear).

If Musk wants to win international praise, then he has to ensure the interior is dry and pressurized when underwater and have working retractable wheels, as well as fins that pop out, but aren’t there when you drive on the road for… obvious width reasons.

By Andrei Nedelea

Photo Credits: Tim Scott Courtesy of RM Auctions

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

Lotus Evora Sports Racer is Loaded to the Gills with Features, UK Prices Start at £57,900

What do you do when you’re not having the best time in your (patchy, anyway) history and your new owner has put your new car program on ice? That’s an easy one: you simply roll out a “special” edition of one of your existing models.
The above applies to Lotus that has just launched the “Sports Racer” edition of its Evora mid-engine coupe. So, what is so special about this Evora that makes Lotus claim it’s aimed to serious drivers (sic) that want to get "incredibly excited"?

Lotus Evora Sports Racer is Loaded to the Gills with Features, UK Prices Start at £57,900

What do you do when you’re not having the best time in your (patchy, anyway) history and your new owner has put your new car program on ice? That’s an easy one: you simply roll out a “special” edition of one of your existing models.
The above applies to Lotus that has just launched the “Sports Racer” edition of its Evora mid-engine coupe. So, what is so special about this Evora that makes Lotus claim it’s aimed to serious drivers (sic) that want to get "incredibly excited"?

Lotus Sues Former CEO Dany Bahar for Allegedly Renting Properties, Taking Helicopter Trips and More

When Dany Bahar left Ferrari in 2009 to become Lotus’ new CEO, he knew his main task would be to turn the cash-burning British sports car maker, which at the time was owned by Proton, around.
It took him one year to show the world how he would do it: by launching five new models, including a new Esprit, by 2015 and returning Lotus to profitability by 2014.

Oh Kimi…Raikkonen Feels “Not Much Really” After Winning Abu Dhabi F1 GP

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight, said American actress and comedienne Phyllis Diller who passed away last August. Kimi Raikkonen has his way with curves, especially those in a Formula 1 track, and in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he set the record straight.
He still won’t smile, though. Not even after claiming victory in Sunday's race leading Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel.
Not even when he beat them driving a Lotus, a car that may be the surprise of the season, but surely doesn’t come close to the prancing horse, never mind the reigning champion’s car.

Lotus Group CEO Reportedly Seeking New Owner for the British Sports Car maker

For the past couple of months, there were rumors circulating that Proton wanted to get rid of its loss-making Lotus unit selling it to either Genii Capital or SAIC. Then, on January 16, the Malaysian carmaker announced that DRB-Hicom had acquired the government's 42.7 percent stake in the company.
Analysts hailed this movement as a win-win situation for both parties. They obviously didn't factor in Lotus CEO Danny Bahar who, according to a report from The Sunday Times citing unnamed sources, is looking for a partner to join him in bidding for a buy-out of the British automaker.

Lotus Plans New Elise

British sports car maker Lotus actually makes more money consulting other companies and refining their models than selling their own cars! but good news is coming out of factory that we are going to see at least two new models, apart from Evora coupe and convertible, in the next few years. There will be a new version of the lovely Elise in 2011 and also the mighty Espirit will be revived for 2012.

Land Rover Freelander 2

The 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 model range, on sale in the UK from the end of September 2010, benefits from a new 2.2-litre diesel engine available with either 150PS or 190PS outputs, a new look exterior plus interior alterations including new instrument dials and a new Premium Pack option.
Land Rover's new turbo diesel engine is available in the 4WD TD4 150PS model featuring a manual transmission and intelligent Stop/Start technology as standard (an automatic gearbox without Stop/Start is available as a cost option), or the new SD4 model delivering 190PS (available in automatic transmission only).

This new engine is quieter, more efficient and both derivatives have 20Nm more torque than the outgoing engine. This means the 2011 Freelander 2 offers improved engine response and more mid-range strength for towing. CO2 emissions have been significantly reduced to 165g/km and 185g/km respectively with corresponding fuel economy benefits.
However, despite reductions in consumption and emissions, there has been no compromise in performance. The flagship 190PS Land Rover Freelander SD4 accelerates from rest to 60mph in 8.7 seconds with an increased top speed of 118mph. The Land Rover Freelander 150PS TD4 manual and automatic versions match the performance of their predecessors.
As well as being upgraded from EU4 to EU5, both versions have a new variable geometry turbocharger and have been extensively re-calibrated to deliver new levels of power, meet emissions regulations and reduce CO2 emissions. They are fitted with a catalysed diesel particulate filter as standard and are now compatible with 10 per cent biodiesel rather than 5 per cent.

As an addition to the Land Rover Freelander 2 range, Land Rover will also offer customers a 2WD derivative, available in the UK from January 2011. This will be called the Land Rover Freelander 2 eD4 and it will be the most efficient Land Rover ever produced, with fuel consumption of 47.2mpg combined, and CO2 emissions of just 158g/km.
"The new Land Rover Freelander 2 eD4 moves Land Rover into the hugely popular and fiercely contested two wheel-drive SUV market," said Land Rover managing director Phil Popham. "The European market for two-wheel drive SUVs represents 23 percent of the segment and we intend to compete strongly here.
"A 2WD option is just one way in which we are developing our vehicles' efficiency whilst adding to the Land Rover range and expanding our appeal to a broader group of customers. We will continue to make the 'world's finest all-terrain vehicles' for those customers who require 4WD but will also now offer an alternative."
This groundbreaking Land Rover Freelander 2 eD4 is powered by the new 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, delivering 150PS. It is only available with a six-speed manual transmission featuring Stop/Start technology as standard.
The exterior of the latest Land Rover Freelander 2 gets a new look for 2011. Marked out by a new front bumper assembly incorporating new front fog lap bezels, a new front grille finish, improved headlights and tail lamps, new full width tailgate appliqué and new 18- or 19-inch alloy wheel styles. There are three new colour schemes for 2011 Kosrae Green, Baltic Blue and Fuji White.
Inside the cabin, Land Rover's design team have revised the instrument dials, and there are four new seat styles with the option of a Premium Pack that includes Windsor Leather upholstery, an 8/6 way electric seat, plus premium carpet mats and covered centre stowage.

Lotus plans new Elise and Espirit

British sports car maker Lotus actually makes more money consulting other companies and refining their models than selling their own cars! but good news is coming out of factory that we are going to see at least two new models, apart from Evora coupe and convertible, in the next few years. There will be a new version of the lovely Elise in 2011 and also the mighty Espirit will be revived for 2012.

According to the insiders, the new Elise will be a development of the current car

rather than a totally new model based on the Evora. And that’s good because Elise is known for its agile character and to mix it up with the heavier slower Evora can ruin its reputation. The new Espirit project however, that is still in a cloud of skepticism, because of the financial difficulties and fears that the market won’t embrace a mid-engine British sporty firm enough for Lotus to make some money out of it!

If however it makes it to the production you can expect it to launch after the Evora convertible. That’s 2012. Unlike the Elise , Espirit will share many parts with the Evora, But it will definitely use a V8 engine because it is a Espirit! Lotus has reportedly lowered its expectations for next year’s production, from 8000 to around 5000 units and also some of their contracts have been cancelled due to the credit crunch. What we can do is to keep our fingers crossed for the new cars to come to life!