Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Lotus Etna - the Esprit successor that wasn't meant to be

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on July 30, 2025

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Robin Adams - Courtesy Broad Arrow Auctions

16

Ital Design

5

Archiv

10

Robin Adams - Courtesy Broad Arrow Auctions

16

Ital Design

5

Archiv

10

Lotus Etna (1984) - three-quarter view shows the relatively smooth plastic parts

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - born as an immobile concept car, now drivable

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - rear view in running condition

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - the windshield wiper is missing today

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - the four exhaust tips were still missing on the prototype

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - large Lotus lettering at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - flat coupé with space for two people

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - View into the cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - View of the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - the interior today

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - one of two 909 V8 prototype engines

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - flat front, this would not have been possible without folding headlights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - integrated front bumper

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - prototype-specific wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - designer lettering on the flank

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - Type lettering at the rear no longer original

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - only 114 cm high two-seater coupé

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - flat front with folding headlights

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - Silhouette

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - rear view

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - futuristic cockpit for the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - the 909 V8 light-alloy engine with 32 valves and four overhead camshafts

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - the official press photo from Lotus

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - View into the cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Etna (1984) - Power and torque curve of the V8 engine 909

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Esprit S3 (1982) - wedge-shaped coupé

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Esprit Turbo (1984) - with optional glass roof

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Esprit S3 (1982) - more clearly shaped bumpers compared to its predecessors

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo (1981) - the four-cylinder turbo engine 907

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo (1982) - How the turbo engine works

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lotus Excel (1984) - next to the Lotus Esprit S3

You have only

1 out of 31

images seen in high resolution

Summary

In 1984, Lotus presented a possible successor to the Esprit called the Etna, which, with its newly developed V8 engine and aerodynamically optimized shape, was supposed to run at almost 300 km/h and give the super sports car elite a run for their money. But it remained a prototype. This article tells the story of the one-off from the beginning to the present day.

This article contains the following chapters

A successor for the Esprit
Engine from Tony Rudd
Design by Giorgetto Giugiaro
Built by Giovanni Forneri
Shown in Birmingham, Turin and Geneva
Mothballed and not pursued further
Completed long after the first presentation

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In 1972, the first prototype of the Lotus Esprit caused a sensation at the Turin Motor Show, and three years later, the production version of the sports car designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro was presented at the Paris Motor Show. After 12 years, it therefore seemed only natural to consider building a successor to the Esprit. The Lotus Etna was presented as a "concept car" at the Birminham Motor Show in November 1984. Once again, they had worked with Giugiaro on the design, but technically the Etna differed significantly from the Esprit. Instead of a central beam chassis, the Etna was to be built in monocoque construction. A new manufacturing process called VARI (Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection) was developed for this purpose. Synthetic resin was injected into a honeycomb structure, while carbon fibers and Kevlar were used for particularly stressed areas.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: