So much power, so much style

Twin turbochargers and a V8 engine, 355PS (260kW) and 175mph (274km/h) — the Esprit V8 has all the right supercar credentials and then some. Low, wide, and sleek, the Esprit is the absolute epitome of the mid-engined supercar. Other-worldly acceleration and crowd-pulling styling are only a part of the Esprit V8 and V8GT impressive repertoire of talents. Exhilarating handling and phenomenal levels of roadholding are also in the package, together with high levels of refinement and luxury appointments.

The Esprit V8 offers the complete supercar experience — exhilerating all-round performance blending seamlessly with comfort and luxury. There's no more stylish way to enjoy the thrill of the open road.

Engineered with a Passion

There is simply no mistaking the stunning, sweeping lines of the Lotus Esprit. A true thoroughbred, its looks are unsurpassed, its pedigree unquestioned, its sheer beauty unequalled. The Esprit is much more than a mere car. It is the experience of perfect balance meeting exquisite design and engineering, it is phenomenal power, absolute control and devastating performance. The Esprit remains a truly exceptional road-going racecar.

At the heart of the Esprit beats one of the most advanced powerplants in production today. Innovative design has created an efficient, compact and lightweight engine that easily pumps out 100hp per litre in standard road form. Racing versions are currently producing over 550hp with very few changes from the standard road engine.

The Esprit V8 is an extremely refined and responsive supercar, designed to meet all our customers' requirements, offering an exciting blend of power, chassis performance and pure driving satisfaction.

The Esprit V8 is powered by the Lotus designed 3.5 litre twin turbocharged V8 engine. The product of thoughtful design, the engine is efficient, compact and lightweight — weighing less than 220kg complete with all ancillaries. With up to 350 bhp (260 kW) at 6500 rpm available, the Esprit V8 accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62mph) in 4.9 seconds, 0-160km/h in 10.3 seconds (0-100mph in 10.54 seconds) before reaching a certified top speed of 280km/h (175 mph). A wide torque band with a peak of 400 Nm (295 ft.lb.) at 4250 rpm assures an incredibly smooth power delivery and an effortless but rapid acceleration in all five gears.

What the papers say...

'In short it feels as a Lotus should: precise, progressive, benign and massively quick. A bend approaches; brake, blip and downshift in one easy movement, point the nose precisely and feed in the power as the exit opens up. This is a mighty quick car, 175mph and 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds, but even in the rain that soaked the latter part of our test it proved hugely grippy and almost laughably controllable. If the back end steps out under an excess of power, a flick of the quick steering and it's straight back in. Lovely.' car

Esprit Production Figures
1976-2004

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Engine Type: 90-degree V8, longitudinal, mid-mounted, with twin Allied Signal T25 turbochargers.
Capacity: 3506cc.
Construction: All aluminium.
Maximum power: 355PS (260kW) at 6500rpm.
Maximum torque: 295lb ft (400Nm) at 4250rpm.

Performance Maximum speed: V8— 175mph (282km/h) 0-60mph: 4.8secs. 0-100km/h: 4.9secs. 0-100mph: 10.3secs. 0-160km/h: 10.3secs.

Fuel consumption           mpg      (l/100km) Urban:         14.1       (20.0). Extra urban:  30.4      (9.3). Combined:   21.2      (13.3).

Transmission
Manual five-speed transaxle driving the rear wheels.

Ratios
First: 3.36 to one.
Second: 2.06 to one.
Third: 1.38 to one.
Fourth: 1.04 to one.
Fifth: 0.76 to one
Reverse: 3.55 to one.
Final drive: 3.89 to one.

Body
GRP/kevlar composite.

Chassis
Fabricated sheet steel and round tube backbone chassis hot dip galvanised.

Suspension
Front: double-wishbones, single coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar.
Rear: upper and lower transverse links, box section radius arms, telescopic dampers with coil springs.
Steering Rack and pinion, power-assisted.

Wheels
OZ Racing six-spoke monobloc alloy
Front: 8.5Jx17
Rear: 10.0Jx18

Tyres:
Dunlop SP Sport 9000
Front: 235/40 ZR17
Rear: 285/35 ZR18

Brakes
Front Disc 296mm
Rear Disc 300mm
Front Caliper Brembo 4 Pot
Rear Caliper Brembo 2 Pot

Vital statistics
Wheelbase: 95.3in (2420mm).
Front track: 59.8in (1520mm).
Rear track: 59.8in (1520mm).
Overall length: 170.2in (4369mm).
Overall width: 74.1in (1883mm) excluding mirrors.
Overall height: 45.3in (1150mm).
Ground clearance: 4.1in (105mm).
Fuel tank capacity: 15.4gal (70.0 litres).
Fuel grade: 95 RON minimum.
Unladen weight: V8 ÿ 3040lb (1380kg).

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