Lotus Esprit

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Development began in mid-1971 when Tony Rudd proposed Project M70. Oliver Winterbottom arranged a meeting between Colin Chapman and Giugiaro, suggesting the Maserati Boomerang as inspiration. After Chapman initially halted the project due to poor wind-tunnel results on a scale model, Giugiaro built a full-size mock-up on a modified Europa chassis known as 'the Silver Car.' Its positive reception at the 1972 Turin Auto Show convinced Chapman to proceed. A second functional prototype, registered 'IDGG 01' and called 'the Red Car,' was developed alongside mechanical systems that remained incomplete at the car's official announcement. The Esprit launched in October 1975 at the Paris Motor Show, debuting with a fibreglass body on a steel backbone chassis.

In Their Own Story

The first Series 1 Esprits entered production in June 1976, powered by the 1,973 cc Lotus 907 four-cylinder engine. European trim delivered 160 hp, while US/Federal trim was restricted to 140 hp due to emission controls. These early models featured a snow-shovel style front air dam and Fiat X1/9-sourced taillights. While praised for having the best steering of any Esprit, they were often considered under-powered in the US, with actual road tests showing a 0-60 mph time of 8 seconds rather than the claimed 6.8. In 1978, the Series 2 arrived with new intake ducts behind the rear quarter windows and Rover SD1 taillights. A special Commemorative Edition in black and gold John Player & Sons livery was produced to mark a Formula 1 victory, though reliable estimates suggest only 149 were built rather than the claimed 300.

Reader's Guide

The S2 evolved into the S2.2 in May 1980 with a 2.2 L Type 912 engine increasing torque to 217 N⋅m, featuring a galvanised chassis but no structural revisions. Later that year, the Essex Turbo Esprit launched as the first factory turbocharged model, wearing blue, red, and chrome livery. It utilized a dry sump Type 910 engine producing 213 PS and 6.1-second 0-60 mph acceleration, with only 45 units built. In April 1981, the Series 3 and Turbo Esprit debuted on a common chassis. The S3 gained larger bumpers and more headroom, while the Turbo retained the Essex aerodynamic kit. From 1994, designer Julian Thomson introduced the rounded Series 4, which became the longest-lived variant until 2004, receiving final updates by Russell Carr in 2002.

Did You Know?

• The Esprit's backbone chassis was later adapted to carry the body of the DeLorean car.
• Only 88 S2.2 models were produced during its thirteen-month production span, making them extremely rare.
• The Essex Turbo Esprit featured a roof-mounted Panasonic stereo and scarlet leather interior.
• From 1996, the Esprit received a Lotus in-house designed V8 engine, unlike other British cars that used the Rover V8.
• The Esprit was one of the last cars made with pop-up headlights, sharing this trait only with the 5th generation Chevrolet Corvette.