Lotus Esprit: de Britse Ferrari voor een prikkie

In 1975, at the Salon van Parijs, Lotus caused quite a stir as they unveiled their new GT Esprit. Designed by Giugiaro, the car's aesthetic was characterized by sleek, straight lines. Technically, it was quite surprising, featuring a plastic body, delicate suspension, and a pure Lotus four-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower, all packed into a weight of less than a ton.

The initial test of the Esprit garnered unanimous praise, despite its somewhat modest performance based on the chassis features. However, Lotus quickly rectified this issue in 1978, just two years after its production began, by increasing the engine size to 2.2 liters. While the power remained the same, the torque was improved. Despite its capabilities, the Esprit did not attract as many customers as the Ferrari 308 or the Porsche 911. Therefore, Lotus decided to introduce the Turbo version (210 horsepower), which also offered enhanced reliability.

Over the years, the Esprit underwent constant improvements, adapting its style to each new era and increasing its power continuously. By 1989, the car boasted an impressive 268 horsepower, and there was even a limited series with nearly 300 horsepower, such as the X180R and the latest S4S versions. However, the most significant news came in 1996 when Lotus released the V8 version equipped with a self-developed 3.5-liter engine and two turbochargers. With its 350 horsepower and incredible torque, the Esprit V8 proved to be a formidable alternative to traditional German and Italian sports cars.

On February 20, 2004, Lotus built its last Esprit. Despite its iconic design, impressive performance, and appearances in movies like James Bond's submarine car, the value of the Esprit remained relatively low in the second-hand market. Unless it's an original model or a few limited editions, the majority of Esprit models are available for a relatively affordable price, starting at around €35,000. If you've always wanted to receive the latest automotive advice or find the article interesting, sign up today for free via email, just like over 300,000 car enthusiasts who already do so.

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