Description
Lotus began delivering the Esprit in 1976 and the final examples of the 10, 500 units built didn't roll out of the production halls until 28 years later in 2003. Its height of 1. 12 metres and Giorgetto Giugiaro-penned wedge shape seemed a bit extreme at the time, however, its looks have proven to be timeless still turning heads 45 years later. Most Esprits were fitted with 4-cylinder engines with a 2 or 2. 2-litre displacement but, from 1996, the Esprit GT could also be ordered with the newly developed 3. 5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and approximately 1, 500 people availed themselves of this opportunity. The GT utilised Lotus' own Type 918 all-aluminium 90° V8 with 4-valves per cylinder, a flat-plane crankshaft and twin turbochargers. This unit was a real success as it was comparatively light yet was capable of generating a potential 500bhp although an output of 350bhp was selected in the interests of durability and reliability. Performance is remarkable with 60mph arriving in 4 seconds and the Esprit's slippery profile enabling a genuine 175 mph, the equal of many contemporary 'supercars'.
Full details to follow.
