Lotus Esprit

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Lotus Esprit was produced for a total of twenty eight years, between nineteen seventy six and two thousand and four. The initial design based on the elongated Europe chassis was displayed to the public at the nineteen seventy two Motor Show in Turin. The name Esprit was in tradition with the E starting names, such as Elan, Elite, Europa and Elise. Over ten thousand of the sports cars were produced within its life time.

The production of the car began in nineteen seventy six after it was officially launched in late nineteen seventy five at the French Motor Show in Paris. The Series One as they became known was to replace the previous Europa models, which shared the same rear engine position. The S1 was generally known as a good handling car, yet lacked sufficient power. The car appeared on screen in the nineteen seventy seven film, The Spy Who Loved Me. The Series Two Esprit was born out of improvements to the initial first series model, with air intakes, new lights, spoilers, alloy wheels and changes to the gauges and dashboard.

The Series Three, or S3, began in nineteen eighty and sported an enlarged two point two litre engine as was found in the rare series 2.2 model. The third series was equipped with new alloy wheels as well as improved interior space. Nineteen eighty seven witnessed the new rounded styling of the Peter Stevens designed version. The V8 Esprit was introduced in nineteen ninety six, equipped with a three point five twin turbo engine which was capable of zero to sixty in less than five seconds and produced three hundred and fifty horse power. Production of the Esprit was ceased in two thousand and four, although it is believed the model could see a comeback in two thousand and ten or two thousand and eleven.