Lotus might just be dusting off a legendary name from its past, sparking rumors of an Esprit revival. The company quietly filed a fresh trademark for the iconic badge in late October, covering everything from actual cars to toys and games under the EUIPO. Trademarks alone don’t guarantee a comeback, sure, but the timing? Suspiciously perfect. Next year marks half a century since the Esprit first hit the scene, and Lotus isn’t the type to let a milestone like that slide unnoticed.
This wasn’t just any car. For nearly three decades, the Esprit was the heart and soul of Lotus—a mid-engine beast that started with a humble four-cylinder and later morphed into a fire-breathing twin-turbo V8. Few nameplates in the brand’s history stuck around so long or left such a mark, making this move feel more like a nod to legacy than some random paperwork shuffle.
So what’s the play here? Lotus could slap the Esprit badge on something already in the stable, maybe a slick limited-edition Emira dripping with retro flair. After all, that car’s the last gasp of Lotus’s gasoline era—fitting to dress it up for the occasion. Or maybe they’re eyeing the Evija, their electric halo car, for a tribute wrapped in classic colors.
But let’s not rule out something bigger. Whispers suggest the Emira might soon get a plug-in hybrid punch, and if Lotus is feeling spicy, they could resurrect the Esprit name for a wild, juiced-up variant. Hybrids are all the rage now, and a high-voltage Esprit could turn heads without betraying its roots.
Then again, Lotus might go full surprise. Their lineup’s a mixed bag these days—hyper-exclusive Evija, the everyday(ish) Emira, plus the Eletre SUV and electric Eveya sedan. A fresh sports car somewhere in the middle, maybe even fully electric, wearing the Esprit badge? Now that would be a power move, threading the needle between old-school thrills and the brand’s electric future.
For now, the trademark’s just a placeholder, a “hands-off” sign on a name they’re not ready to lose. But with the Esprit’s 50th looming? Nobody’s buying that this is just about protecting merch. Something’s brewing, and enthusiasts are already buzzing.
Source
Shawn Henry