1980 Lotus Esprit

The Giorgetto Giugiaro-styled Esprit was Colin Chapman's first serious attempt at building a sports car that could compete with the likes of Ferrari and Porsche. It was originally unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1972 as a concept car. It was another four years before customers were taking delivery of the production version. In 1977, the Esprit received considerable publicity thanks to the James Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me', with Roger Moore proving the car could handle just as well under water. The car had futuristic Italian supercar styling coupled with Lotus' philosophy of building lightweight sports cars with small-capacity engines. Codenamed project M72, the Esprit Turbo was developed in the late 1970s and given the new type number 82 when launched in February 1980. It was powered by a totally redesigned 16-valve four-cylinder engine with dry-sump lubrication and a Garrett AiResearch turbocharger mounted behind the cylinder block. The Esprit Turbo's engine offered 210 horsepower and was capable of achieving 150 mph top speed. Ital Design's styling was completely revamped, with side skirts featuring NACA-type ducts, front and rear spoilers, black louvers over the engine bay, and new 15-inch wheels by BBS (early cars used three-piece Compomotive rims).

Lotus released a limited edition version in order to promote the new model. It was finished in metallic blue with red/silver stripes of its then major sponsor in Formula One, Essex Petroleum. It was given air conditioning and a roof-mounted Panasonic stereo system.

Partly due to the looming recession in Britain, sales were initially poor. Orders for the Esprit Turbo picked up in 1981, helped no doubt by its starring role in another James Bond flick, 'For Your Eyes Only'.

By the time the original Turbo ceased production in 1987 a total of 3,155 had been made.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2016