Lotus responds to name rumour

Lotus has responded to speculation about the name of its new mid-engined two-plus-two by reiterating that it will officially announce the new car’s title when it unveils the car at the London Motor Show.The company is believed to still be considering three names, one of which is understood to be “Ethos” (a name we reported that Lotus had registered in America), but senior company insiders indicate this moniker is not the strongest contender.The car will definitely have a name beginning with “E”, and it won’t share its name with any previous Lotus model. It definitely won’t be called Esprit, as that name is being reserved for the new range-topping, V8-engined supercar that’s due to launch in 2010.

Steve Cropley