Specifications
| Engine | In-line 4-cylinder,2174cc |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
| Body Work | Coupe |
| Colour | Calypso Red |
| Interior | Beige |
| Trim | Leather |
| Wheels | Alloy Cast |
| Brakes | Discs |
Description
The Giorgetto Giugiaro styled Esprit was Colin Chapman's first serious attempt at building a supercar capable of taking on the likes of Porsche and Ferrari. First unveiled as a concept car at the Turin Motor Show in 1972, it would be another four years before the first customers took delivery and the Esprit received a considerable publicity boost thank to the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me", with Roger Moore taking to the sea in one that became a submarine.
The turbo version was first seen in 1980's 'Essex Esprit', a special edition model named for its association with Essex petroleum, a major sponsor of the Lotus F1 team at the time. Its engine, known as the Type 910, retained the 2.2-litre capacity of the naturally-aspirated car but utilised a dry sump and generated some 157kW.
1981 saw the debut of Esprit Series 3 and with it the turbo became a regular production car, though it reverted to a wet sump configuration. Although it looked every inch the futuristic Italian-styled supercar both inside and out, the Esprit remained true to Lotus' philosophy of building lightweight cars with small-capacity engines and handling inspired by the racetrack.
