The new Lotus Esprit will offer a more “authentic” driving experience than the Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren MP4-12C, according to CEO Dany Bahar.The new V8 supercar is penciled in for a spring 2013 launch, making it the first of five new Lotuses showcased at last year’s Paris motor show to enter production.

Bahar claims the Lotus Esprit will “have the character and emotion” that he says the McLaren lacks. He also revealed that the rolling chassis was now complete and fully running prototypes would be ready by November. Development of the car will take place at the Nürburging and Idiada (Spain) circuits, as well as at Lotus’s Hethel headquarters, where work on a new test track is almost complete.

The Esprit will also be the first Lotus to use the firm’s new V8 engine, which could produce as much as 570bhp. Bahar said the Lotus V8 is 80kg lighter and 40 per cent smaller than the Toyota-sourced V8 originally destined for the Esprit.