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Lotus Esprit: Difference between revisions
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The Esprit was launched at the 1975 Paris and London auto shows and went into production in | The Esprit was launched at the 1975 Paris and London auto shows and went into production in | ||
June 1976. These first Esprits eventually became known as '''S1''' (or Series 1) Esprits. These | June 1976. These first Esprits eventually became known as '''S1''' (or Series 1) Esprits. These fiberglass bodied cars were initially powered by the Lotus 907 4 cylinder engine previously used in the [[Jensen Healey]]. The engine displaced 2.0 liters, produced 160 bhp in European trim (140 bhp in US/Federal trim), and was mounted longitudinally behind the passengers (similar to the Lotus Europa). The transaxle was a 5 speed unit previously used in the [[Citroën SM]] and [[Maserati Merak]]; it also featured inboard rear brakes as was racing practice at the time. The series 1 embodied Lotus’ performance through light weight mantra, weighing under 1000 kg. The car gained some fame through its appearance in the James Bond film ''The Spy Who Loved Me'' (1977) where it converted into a submarine. | ||
The original Esprit was lauded for its handling and is said to have the best steering of any Esprit. However, it was generally regarded as lacking power, especially in markets such as the | The original Esprit was lauded for its handling and is said to have the best steering of any Esprit. However, it was generally regarded as lacking power, especially in markets such as the U.S. where the engine was downrated for emissions purposes, and Lotus’ claim of 0-60 in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 138 mph may be thought of as optimistic. Actual road test times indicate a top speed of around 133 mph and 0-60 in 8 seconds. [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/S1_ClassicalCar.html] | ||
The S1 Esprit can be distinguished from later Esprits by a shovel-style front air dam, [[Fiat X1/9]] taillights, lack of bodyside ducting, and Wolfrace alloy wheels. Inside the car, the most obvious indication of a S1 Esprit is a one-piece Veglia instrument cluster. | The S1 Esprit can be distinguished from later Esprits by a shovel-style front air dam, [[Fiat X1/9]] taillights, lack of bodyside ducting, and Wolfrace alloy wheels. Inside the car, the most obvious indication of a S1 Esprit is a one-piece Veglia instrument cluster. | ||
===S2=== | ===S2=== | ||
A series of improvements made to the Esprit during its initial run culminated in the '''S2''' (or Series 2) Esprit. The most obvious of these changes are intake and cooling duct "ears" located behind the rear quarter window, [[Rover SD1]] taillights and an integrated front spoiler. S2 Esprits also used 14" Speedline alloy wheels designed specifically for Lotus. Other changes included relocating the battery from above the right side fuel tank (under the rear quarter window) to the rear of the car, adding an access door to the engine cover and replacing the Veglia instrument cluster with individual gauges made by Smiths and a different style of switches. | A series of improvements made to the Esprit during its initial run culminated in the '''S2''' (or Series 2) Esprit. The most obvious of these changes are intake and cooling duct "ears" located behind the rear quarter window, [[Rover SD1]] taillights and an integrated front spoiler. S2 Esprits also used 14" Speedline alloy wheels designed specifically for Lotus. Other changes included relocating the battery from above the right side fuel tank (under the rear quarter window) to the rear of the car, adding an access door to the engine cover and replacing the Veglia instrument cluster with individual gauges made by Smiths and a different style of switches. | ||
During this era, a claimed (but improbable) 100 Special Edition cars were made to commemorate Lotus’ racing victories, commonly known as the John Player Special ('''JPS''') among collectors after Lotus’ racing sponsor at the time. | During this era, a claimed (but improbable) 100 Special Edition cars were made to commemorate Lotus’ racing victories, commonly known as the John Player Special ('''JPS''') among collectors after Lotus’ racing sponsor at the time. | ||
The '''S2.2''' was produced as a stopgap model in | The '''S2.2''' was produced as a stopgap model in 1980, identical to the S2 but with an enlarged (2.2 liter) type 912 engine used. This kept horsepower the same, but bumped up torque to 160 lb ft. from 140. These cars are extremely rare even among Esprits and only 88 are thought to have been produced. [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EHistory/Production_Figures.html] | ||
==The Turbo (1980)== | ==The Turbo (1980)== | ||
In 1980 the first factory [[turbocharged]] Lotus, the Essex Esprit was built, and these special editions were superseded by a production turbo car. The new turbocharged engine was known as the 910 type, and produced 210 horsepower, with an impressive 200 lb ft. of torque. 0-60 mph could be achieved in the low 5 second range, with a top speed of over 150 mph. | In 1980 the first factory [[turbocharged]] Lotus, the Essex Esprit was built, and these special editions were superseded by a production turbo car. The new turbocharged engine was known as the 910 type, and produced 210 horsepower, with an impressive 200 lb ft. of torque. 0-60 mph could be achieved in the low 5 second range, with a top speed of over 150 mph. | ||
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These performance improvements were coupled to a revamping and strengthening of the rear suspension, where an upper link was added to alleviate strain on the halfshafts, along with brake improvements (with the front suspension upgraded again in 1985) Turbo cars are recognized by an aerodynamic body kit with a ducktail spoiler and boxy bumpers, with more and larger ducts all around. Essex cars were delivered in a special livery, and Essex cars (and early turbos) possessed 3 piece compomotive wheels and [[dry sump]] oiling. | These performance improvements were coupled to a revamping and strengthening of the rear suspension, where an upper link was added to alleviate strain on the halfshafts, along with brake improvements (with the front suspension upgraded again in 1985) Turbo cars are recognized by an aerodynamic body kit with a ducktail spoiler and boxy bumpers, with more and larger ducts all around. Essex cars were delivered in a special livery, and Essex cars (and early turbos) possessed 3 piece compomotive wheels and [[dry sump]] oiling. | ||
In | In 1981 the Esprit (two Esprits actually) was again used in a Bond film, ''For Your Eyes Only''. | ||
The [[Giugiaro]] designed Esprit’s final incarnation, the turbo '''HC''', was produced in 1986. Higher compression (from 7.5:1 to 8:1) yielded 215 hp and 220 lb ft. of torque. Lotus created the '''HCi''', with [[Bosch]] [[jetronic]] [[fuel injection]], for markets with high emissions standards such as the US. Creating this amount of power from only 2.2 liters continued the Esprit tradition of remarkable specific output. [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/87TurboHC_Fastlane.html] | The [[Giugiaro]] designed Esprit’s final incarnation, the turbo '''HC''', was produced in 1986. Higher compression (from 7.5:1 to 8:1) yielded 215 hp and 220 lb ft. of torque. Lotus created the '''HCi''', with [[Bosch]] [[jetronic]] [[fuel injection]], for markets with high emissions standards such as the US. Creating this amount of power from only 2.2 liters continued the Esprit tradition of remarkable specific output. [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/87TurboHC_Fastlane.html] |
Revision as of 01:18, 17 February 2007
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