The new Lotus Esprit is due in 2012 and might use a Toyota powerplant, continuing Lotus and Toyota’s relationship in powertrain sharing. While the Elise and Exige use Toyota’s 1.8-liter I-4 and the Evora uses Toyota’s 3.5-liter V-6, expect the Esprit to use something more along the lines of the Lexus LF-A’s 500-hp V-10.

The original Lotus Esprit was available with everything from a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine to a twin-turbo V-8 at the end of its life. It seems Lotus is coming out swinging with the next Esprit due in 2012 by possibly offering the [unlaunched] Lexus LF-A’s 500-hp V-10.

Lotus’ flagship supercar would compete directly with the Audi R8 5.2 FSI and its Italian cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo. Using the V-10 would certainly raise Lotus’ profile from the maker of some wicked street-legal track monsters into the realm of true supercars.