The Lotus Exige, and its open-top Elise cousin, are the ultimate track toys.  The lightest production cars for sale in the U.S., they corner like no other street-legal car and boast 0 to 60 times of around 4 seconds.  They're nearly perfect cars.  Except for the lack of storage space.  And sound insulation. And cupholders. And a glovebox. And a heater (well, you can buy one with a heater or air conditioning, but not both).  And…well…any creature comforts at all. 

If you're looking for a high-performance daily driver, no matter how much you may admire the Lotus, you've had to look elsewhere.  Until now.

The U.K.'s Telegraph reports, "Lotus, the British car manufacturer, has introduced its first new car in a decade."  Known simply as "Project Eagle," the car will get an official name at the British Motor Show next week.  It's a Lotus all the way, with a top speed electronically limited to 160 mph and a 0 to 60 time around five seconds. 

But this Lotus, according to Jalopnik, offers "a more grown-up spin on the Lotus design theme."  It provides seating for four (at least technically.  Jalopnik notes "those back seats seem to be designed with kids in mind and adults for very short trips.)

"Amenities previously thought frivolous on the Elise/Exige," are standard on the new car, according to Autoblog.  These include "storage bins, cup holders, blue LED lighting, air conditioning, traction control, tire pressure monitoring and an Alpine stereo with a seven-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity and iPod connections." 

AutoCar calls it "far classier and more comfortable than anything Lotus has done before."  Lotus's minimalist interiors have become famous for their poor fit and finish, but AutoCar says "Lotus is determined to convey longevity and class in the Eagle interior."

Pricing has not been announced, but Lotus has said that production will be limited to 2,000 cars per year. 

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