The Lotus Esprit 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In 1980 the first factory turbocharged Lotus, the Essex Esprit was built, and these special editions were superseded by a production turbo car.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.

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 (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.

The refinements of the Turbo Esprit were carried on to its naturally aspirated sister, making the Esprit S3 a car that had much appeal to those who wanted a driving experience without a turbocharger. The S3 can be distinguished from a turbo by its smaller air dam, lack of ducting on the sills, and rear end without the ducktail spoiler as well as different, mesh lined intake fins.