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Lotus Esprit: Difference between revisions
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|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Production | | Production | ||
| | | 1976 - 2004 | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Class | | Class | ||
| | | [[Supercar]] | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Body Style | | Body Style | ||
| | | 2 door, 2-seat [[MR layout|Mid-Engined]] [[Coupe]] | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Length | | Length | ||
| | | 4415 mm | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Width | | Width | ||
| | | 1885 mm | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; | |- style="vertical-align:top; | ||
| Height | | Height | ||
| | | 1150 mm | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Wheelbase | | Wheelbase | ||
| | | 2420 mm | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Weight | | Weight | ||
| | | 1380 kg | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Transmission | | Transmission | ||
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|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Engine | | Engine | ||
| | | 3.5L Turbo V8 DOHC | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Power | | Power | ||
| | | 349 bhp@6500 rpm/40.80 kgf.m@4250 rpm (V8) | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| Similar | | Similar | ||
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|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;" | ||
| Designer | | Designer | ||
| [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]<br>[[Peter Stevens]] | | [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]<br>[[Peter Stevens]]<br>[[Russell Carr]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
The '''Lotus Esprit''' was a [[sports car]] built by [[Lotus|Lotus]] from 1976 to 2004. The Silver [[Italdesign]] concept that eventually became the Esprit was unveiled at the [[Turin motor show]] in 1972, and was a development of a stretched [[Lotus Europa]] chassis. It is held to be among the first of designer [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]'s "folded paper" designs. Originally, the name Kiwi was proposed, but in keeping with the E naming format of Lotus tradition, the name was changed to Esprit. Historically it was able to match or better most of its contemporary rivals' performance in many areas, which included the [[Ferrari]] 308, 328, F355, and 360 Modena, as well as many [[Porsche]] sports cars in a production life that lasted nearly 30 years. | The '''Lotus Esprit''' was a [[sports car]] built by [[Lotus|Lotus]] from 1976 to 2004. The Silver [[Italdesign]] concept that eventually became the Esprit was unveiled at the [[Turin motor show]] in 1972, and was a development of a stretched [[Lotus Europa]] chassis. It is held to be among the first of designer [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]'s "folded paper" designs. Originally, the name Kiwi was proposed, but in keeping with the E naming format of Lotus tradition, the name was changed to Esprit. Historically it was able to match or better most of its contemporary rivals' performance in many areas, which included the [[Ferrari]] 308, 328, F355, and 360 Modena, as well as many [[Porsche]] sports cars in a production life that lasted nearly 30 years. | ||
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==The Turbo (1980)== | ==The Turbo (1980)== | ||
[[Image:Lotus esprit-essex-turbo-1980-2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Essex Esprit Turbo]] | |||
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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==The Peter Stevens redesign (1988)== | ==The Peter Stevens redesign (1988)== | ||
In | In 1987 a new version of the Esprit was introduced, incorporating rounder styling cues given by designer [[Peter Stevens (car designer)|Peter Stevens]] of [[McLaren F1]] fame. A new Lotus patented process was introduced to create the new body called the VARI (Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection) process, which offered more advantages than the previous hand laid process. [[kevlar|Kevlar]] reinforcement was added to the roof and sides for roll-over protection<ref>http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/VARI.html</ref>. This time the tail-lights were sourced from the [[Toyota AE86|Toyota Corolla Hatchback]]. Giugiaro is said to have liked the restyling, claiming it was perhaps too close to his original design. The Stevens styled cars retained the mechanical components of the previous High Compression Esprit and Turbo Esprit, but introduced a stronger [[Renault]] transaxle, which necessitated a move to outboard rear brakes. The North American Esprit Turbo retained the Citroen gearbox for 1988 MY only. The Esprit's Type 910 engine retained 215 bhp and 220 ft-lbs, but reduced its zero to sixty from 5.6 seconds to 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of over 145 mph. The exterior style changes were accompanied by a freshening of the interior, allowing a little more space for the occupants. The Stevens styled Esprit is often known by its project code of X180. The Stevens Esprit was in the short lived TV series "The Highwayman" in 1988 but it was only seen twice as the show was cancelled after only 10 episodes. | ||
The Esprit was again improved with the addition of a water to air intercooler known as the chargecooler producing the '''SE'''. Horsepower was | The Esprit was again improved with the addition of a water to air intercooler known as the chargecooler producing the '''SE'''. Horsepower was increased to 264 with 280 available on overboost, and zero to sixty times reduced to an amazing 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of over 160 mph. The chargecooled engine was known as the type 910 S. Modifications to the body kit are also noted. Again the Esprit continued to keep a small or nonexistent gap between itself and competition from rivals such as [[Ferrari]] and [[Porsche]]. | ||
Along with the SE, Lotus produced the little seen '''Esprit S''', a midrange turbocharged car offering fewer appointments and 228 hp, as well as the standard turbo still offering 215 hp. The N/A and turbo were cancelled after 1990, and the S in 1991. | Along with the SE, Lotus produced the little seen '''Esprit S''', a midrange turbocharged car offering fewer appointments and 228 hp, as well as the standard turbo still offering 215 hp. The N/A and turbo were cancelled after 1990, and the S in 1991. | ||
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==The V8 (1996)== | ==The V8 (1996)== | ||
[[Image:Lotusesprit1.jpg|right|thumb|250px]] | [[Image:Lotusesprit1.jpg|right|thumb|250px]] | ||
The '''Esprit V8''' used Lotus' self developed | The '''Esprit V8''' used Lotus' self developed all-aluminum, twin-turbocharged (Garrett T3/60 turbos) 90-degree V-8, Code-named Type 918, in front of the same [[Renault]] transmission as before with no Chargecooler. Derek Bell developed an uprated gearbox that overcame a lot of the gearbox problems with a much thicker single piece input shaft. The Type 918 engine was detuned from a possible 500 bhp to 350 bhp to prevent gearbox damage due to the fragility of the Renault transmission<ref>http://www.espritfactfile.com/Mod_Info.html#2004 Esprit</ref> . Zero to sixty miles per hour came in at 4.4 seconds with a top speed of 175 mph. Some examples of the engine are noted however to suffer from a leaking cylinder liner problem. | ||
Alongside V8 models was produced the '''GT3''', a turbocharged 4 cylinder car with a 2.0 liter chargecooled, turbocharged engine as used in Italian market cars previously. | Alongside V8 models was produced the '''GT3''', a turbocharged 4 cylinder car with a 2.0 liter chargecooled, turbocharged engine as used in Italian market cars previously. | ||
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In 1998 the V8 range was split into '''SE''' and '''GT''' specs, both cars with a much changed interior configuration, both offering similar performance with the SE being the more luxurious of the two. | In 1998 the V8 range was split into '''SE''' and '''GT''' specs, both cars with a much changed interior configuration, both offering similar performance with the SE being the more luxurious of the two. | ||
The ultimate incarnation of the Esprit came in 1999 with the '''Sport 350'''. Only 50 were made [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/350_topgear.html], each offering 350 horsepower (as per the name) and various chassis and braking improvements. By this time the Esprit could reach 60 | The ultimate incarnation of the Esprit came in 1999 with the '''Sport 350'''. Only 50 were made [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/350_topgear.html], each offering 350 horsepower (as per the name) and various chassis and braking improvements. By this time the Esprit could reach {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|-1|abbr=on}} in 4.3 seconds as well as reaching 0-100 in 9.9 seconds, and weighed 1300 kg as a result of their hand laid fiberglass bodies. | ||
Esprit production continued on until 2004, Lotus content on producing the Esprit with little development aside from minor cosmetic changes including a switch to 4 round taillights in 2002. Over 28 years a total of 10675 Esprits were produced. | Esprit production continued on until 2004, Lotus content on producing the Esprit with little development aside from minor cosmetic changes including a switch to 4 round taillights in 2002. Over 28 years a total of 10675 Esprits were produced. | ||
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As with many of their cars, Lotus used parts from other cars to cut down development costs. Esprits before 1993 have many [[British Leyland]] parts and after 1993 have many GM (Vauxhall, Opel) parts. G Esprits have Citroen gearboxes and S Esprits have Renault gearboxes [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/beginners.html]. The door handles come from [[Morris Marina]] and were kept until the S4 model in 1994 when instead [[General Motors Calibra|GM Calibra]] door handles were used [http://users.waymark.net/~bikechic/ESPRIT/history.html]. Early models used a Momo steering wheel, later had the same as the [[Pontiac Trans Am]]. Until 2002 it had rectangular [[Toyota]] rear lights from the 1985 [[Toyota AE86|Toyota Trueno/Sprinter]] and RWD [[Toyota Corolla]] Coupe, later replaced with the same round light as the Lotus Elise II. The aerial mount and whip on the S4 and V8 is the same as the [[General Motors Calibra|GM Calibra]] and [[Opel Tigra|Tigra]]. The side mirrors are from [[Citroën CX]]. Non SE foglamps from about 1989 are [[General Motors Astra|GM Astra]] mk1. The fan motors come from [[Ford Fiesta]] mk2. The alternator on the V8 models is a standard GM unit also found in the V6 [[General Motors Omega|GM Omega]] [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERunning/partprices.html]. The front suspension came from the [[Opel Ascona]]. | As with many of their cars, Lotus used parts from other cars to cut down development costs. Esprits before 1993 have many [[British Leyland]] parts and after 1993 have many GM (Vauxhall, Opel) parts. G Esprits have Citroen gearboxes and S Esprits have Renault gearboxes [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/beginners.html]. The door handles come from [[Morris Marina]] and were kept until the S4 model in 1994 when instead [[General Motors Calibra|GM Calibra]] door handles were used [http://users.waymark.net/~bikechic/ESPRIT/history.html]. Early models used a Momo steering wheel, later had the same as the [[Pontiac Trans Am]]. Until 2002 it had rectangular [[Toyota]] rear lights from the 1985 [[Toyota AE86|Toyota Trueno/Sprinter]] and RWD [[Toyota Corolla]] Coupe, later replaced with the same round light as the Lotus Elise II. The aerial mount and whip on the S4 and V8 is the same as the [[General Motors Calibra|GM Calibra]] and [[Opel Tigra|Tigra]]. The side mirrors are from [[Citroën CX]]. Non SE foglamps from about 1989 are [[General Motors Astra|GM Astra]] mk1. The fan motors come from [[Ford Fiesta]] mk2. The alternator on the V8 models is a standard GM unit also found in the V6 [[General Motors Omega|GM Omega]] [http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERunning/partprices.html]. The front suspension came from the [[Opel Ascona]]. | ||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Aston3.jpg | |||
Image:Espritpolice.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
==See Also== | |||
{{Lotus}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* [http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/ Lotus Esprit Turbo] | * [http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/ Lotus Esprit Turbo] | ||
* [http://www.all-car-photos.com/Lotus/Lotus-Esprit.php Lotus Esprit kit car] | * [http://www.all-car-photos.com/Lotus/Lotus-Esprit.php Lotus Esprit kit car] | ||
* [http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/11/james-bond-iconic-1976-lotus-esprit-up.html James Bond's Iconic 1976 Lotus Esprit up for Sale] | |||
[[Category:Lotus vehicles|Esprit]] | [[Category:Lotus vehicles|Esprit]] | ||
[[Category:Sports cars]] | [[Category:Sports cars]] | ||
[[Category:MR layout vehicles]] | [[Category:MR layout vehicles]] | ||
[[Category:James Bond Vehicles]] |