Well, we had to expect it. With everyone from Maserati to Aston Martin to Porsche producing a four-door, the Lotus Eterne was a smart gambit on the current fad for four-door supercar sedans that look like coupes.

The Lotus Eterne concept is a study in what would happen if Lotus entered that market. Using the same 5.0L 620 horsepower V8 as the Esprit, the Eterne not only hits 60 mph in 4 seconds but can be had with the KERS regenerative braking system and an automatic transmission.

With an estimated price of  $195,000 only the well-heeled few can afford this car. Normally, cursing might be fun when directed at that crowd, but if they’re keeping Lotus afloat by buying this car, we wish them well.

Gallery: Lotus Eterne Concept

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar noted that the current Elise has been on sale for nearly 15 years, and we couldn’t but help wonder if it really needs replacing. In our minds, the Elise could go for another 15 and still look timeless, like the Citroen DS or Acura NSX.

According to Bahar, the current Elise must evolve into something more in line with Lotus’ anticipated customer base. The bare-bones roadster thrills are out, and the new geometric styling regime is in, along with a 320 horsepower 2.0L Toyota four-cylinder engine. A 6 speed manual and a (gasp) paddle shift automatic are available, with the car tipping the scales at 2,409 pounds – light by today’s standards, but nearly 500 lbs more than a current Elise, for the hefty price of $55,000.

If this car will help save Lotus, then so be it, but deep in our hearts, the one true Elise will always be the one that made you trip and fall whenever you tried to enter or exit the car.

Gallery: Lotus Elise Concept

The original Lotus Elan was an icon, a two-seat, four-cylinder roadster that weighed 1,400 pounds and was the inspiration for the Mazda Miata. The new one couldn’t be more different.

Styled in the same vein as the new Esprit, the supercharged 4.0L V6 makes 450 horsepower and an optional hybrid system help rocket the Elan to a 193 mph top speed and a mid-3 second 0-60 time.

The 2+2 configuration suggests that this car might replace the Evora, which seats 4, although the $118,500 price tag is quite a bit more than the current Evora’s sticker.

Gallery: Lotus Elan

Lotus unveiled an entirely new product range today, with 5 new cars that mark a complete 180 for the brand. The most significant product for the company will be their Esprit flagship, which will set the tone for future cars as they prepare to do battle with Italy’s best.

With a 5.0L V8 displacing 620 horsepower, the Esprit can hit 205 mph and accelerate to 60 mph in an estimated 3.5 seconds. The Esprit will also offer a KERS system, similar to Formula 1 cars, that captures kinetic energy under braking and allows the driver to hit a button for an electronic overboost.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

Gallery: Lotus Esprit

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Some may say it looks a little like a Corvette Convertible, regardless, there’s no denying the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta is classically beautiful. With just 80 models being built, the SA Aperta is ultra-exclusive (they made five times as many Enzos) and celebrates 80 years of Pininfarina design. The name itself honors the design house – in particular Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina.

Incredibly despite the chop-top roof, Ferrari claims the weight gain is “negligible,” retaining the 599 coupe’s incredible driving dynamics and chassis rigidity. But there’s more than just a drop-top to this Ferrari, with a windscreen that’s been chopped, a lowered suspension and the rollbars that seem to flow out of the design of the seats.

Power comes from the same engine found in the 599 GTO, with 670-hp on tap from Ferrari’s incredible 6.0-liter V12 engine.

Put your bib on and prepare to drool through the Gallery below.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

Inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC series cars, as well as the Italian automaker’s GT4 race cars, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale brings much of the former two models’ racing capability to the street.

With an extra 10-hp over the GranTurismo S model, the 4.7-liter V8 makes 450-hp and 376 ft-lbs of torque, allowing for an even quicker 0-62 mph blast of just 4.6 seconds. However, it’s not the added power that makes the biggest difference, but the reduced curb weight of 243 lbs for a more reasonable total of 3,902 lbs. Some of that weight reduction is the result of Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, removed rear seats and carbon fiber racing seats (in some markets).

Yet another contributing factor to the car’s speed is an upgraded transmission with shift times that have been reduced to just 60 milliseconds.

While a street car, this lighter and faster GranTurismo is also perfect for the track with a special Race mode that reduces the stability control program’s interference, increases the exhaust note and activates the fastest shift times. Activating Race model will cause the car to automatically downshift two gears, while holding the paddle down during aggressive driving will also allow for a dual down-shift. Plus, regardless of whether the driver chooses Race, Normal or Sport, the Stradale’s throttle sensitivity is increased over the standard car.

The GranTurismo MC Stradale is the first Maserati to have just two seats since the MC12 and is also the first Maserati road car to exceed 300 km/h (186-mph) with a top speed of 301 km/h. It will go on sale in the first quarter of 2011.

GALLERY: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Official release after the jump:

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MINI’s Scooter E Concept is the polar opposite from the brand’s other Pairs debut, the Countryman WRC, but it represents an important new direction, with MINI focusing on “mobility” as well as cars.

The MINI Scooter E is all-electric, with an electric motor in each wheel hooked up to a lithium-ion battery. A smartphone can be used as a key, which also allows the new MINI Connect social networking tool to be utilized (hopefully not while riding the scooter). The Scooter is available in single or two seat configurations and can be hooked up to any power source to recharge its batteries. Sure beats a Vespa on coolness factor alone.

Gallery: MINI Scooter E

BMW let the public catch a glimpse of their 6 Series Concept, a car that’s been widely previewed online in advance of its debut. Although it’s been labeled a “design study”, you can be sure that 95% of what’s shown here will make it to the showrooms.

Technical details are scarce, but BMW touts full LED headlights and an all-new iDrive system as big innovations. Expect turbocharged 6 and 8 cylinder engines, as well as BMW’s EfficientDynamics mild hybrid system to appear in Bavaria’s flagship coupe.

Hit the jump for more details

Gallery: BMW 6 Series Concept

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MINI‘s long awaited WRC entry debuted at the Paris Auto Show Thursday as the MINI Countryman WRC, flanked by rally heroes such as David Richards (founder of Prodrive) and Jean Todt, president of the FIA, flanked the car as it revved its engine for all to hear.

The sounds of a rally-built 4-cylinder filled the halls as assembled media rushed to get photos of the newest WRC entry. The Countryman WRC is loaded with the best in motorsports equipment –  a 6-speed sequential gearbox, Ohlins dampers, AP Racing brakes and a turbocharged engine. The Countryman may not seem like an obvious choice, but the extra suspension travel should make it a better rally car than its two-door brethren. Look for the Countryman WRC factory team in 2011, with privateer teams able to buy the car shortly after.

Hit the jump for the official specs

Gallery: MINI Countryman WRC

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Ford’s new challenger for the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship, the all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car, made its first global public appearance at the Paris Motor Show today.

The Fiesta RS WRC will make its competition debut in Rally Sweden, the opening round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship, on 10 – 13 February. Ford has been tight lipped regarding details of the car, but we do know that it has a 1.6L Ecoboost engine and will not be driven by Ken Block.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta WRC

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