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Which Esprit!
Once you know you want an Esprit
(that's easy),
Which Models for you? — there's been a few!
The Lotus Esprit first went on sale in 1976 badged as the S1 with a 2-litre, 4 cylinder, 156bhp, mid-mounted engine. 25 years later the Lotus Esprit V8 2002 now has a 3.5-litre, 8 cylinder, twin-turbo, 350bhp engine. Over the intervening year there have been many evolutions of the Esprit, but only one major change in 1987 where the basic look of the Esprit was soften by designer Peter Stevens. This is why people group the Esprit into two different groups, Giugiaro (G Car) or Stevens (S Car).
Giorgetto Giugiaro was the man behind the original design of the Esprit (with the help of Colin Chapman and Lotus stylist Oliver Winterbottom) and was based on a lengthened Europa chassis with GRP (plastic) body and a mid-mounted Lotus engine. The Giugiaro Esprit was updated four times in the next 10 years (1976-1987), from S1 — S2 — S2.2 — S3 and finally the turbo Esprit.
The first major alterations to the Giugiaro Esprit outline occurred in October 1987, after around 4,700 Esprits had rolled of the Lotus production line. The brief was that 'A more modern and sophisticated shape was required, but with no need for change to the basic mechanicals'. This challenge was met by Peter Stevens, Colin Spooner and Ken Sears, who did such a great job, it has remained unchanged 15 years later, with only bumper and wing updates really changing the overall look of the Esprit. The Stevens Esprit model ran from 1987-1993 as NA (normally aspirated) — Turbo — Turbo HC and SE.
In 1993 Lotus designer Julian Thomson went to work on the next revamp of the Esprit, badged the S4. With Vauxhall now owning Lotus, their parts bin was set to, with a major update to the interior and only minor changes to the exterior. The mechanicals remain as those in the SE, still with a 4-cylinder 2.2 litre turbocharged and intercooled engine making 264bhp. Minor exterior changes included new front and rear bumpers, front spoiler, indicators, roof mounted aerial, side scoop and Vauxhall door handles. Most eye-catching was the new rear wing, raised to aid visibility. This evolution ran from 1993 to 2001 as the S4 — S4S — Sport 300 — V8 — GT3 — Sport 350 — V8-GT — V8-SE.
The latest rethink was released in 2002 by current Lotus designer Russell Carr, referred to as the 'Facelift Esprit'. Again no changes were made to the mechanicals of the V8, and the exterior only receiving new rear lights and the Sport 350 front spoiler. A few interior updates were made, but the basis of the update was to reduce the Esprit to one full spec model at a reduced price, making the Esprit a more attractive option against other marquees.
I'll now take you through all the Esprit models, giving you a little information to help you decide which ones for you. More detail information can be found under Esprit Models once you have an ideal what might make it onto your drive. Remember once you've bought it, you'll have to run it, check out my guide to running an Esprit to help you miss the many cash pitfall of Esprit ownership. Good Luck.
Esprit S1 — 1976-1977
The first Esprit wasn't as fast as first though and suffers from quite a few mechanical problems. Good condition examples are rare and are more likely to be show cars at a premium price. Not the best bet for a useable car, more for the classic enthusiast.
Current Price: £3–8,000
Availability Rating: ••
Relability Rating: ••Esprit S2 — 1976-1977
The S2 has a few updates over the S1 which makes it a little more reliable, but still really for the classic enthusiast.
Current Price: £3–7,000
Availability Rating: •••
Relability Rating: •••Esprit JPS — 1978-1979
Basically the John Player Special edition is an S2 with extra trim, only 147 made and a few copies around, so make sure it's an origninal if you buy one. Still a few about and has the expected premium over the basic S2.
Current Price: £5,000+
Availability Rating: •
Relability Rating: •••Esprit S2.2 — 1980-1981
One of the rarest Esprits, it's an S2 with the new larger 2.2 litre engine. You'll be lucky to find one in good condition and if you do you'll be paying for it. More a car for collectors than a driving car. If you've got one, unlikely you'll be seeing another.
Current Price: £4,000+
Availability Rating: •
Relability Rating: •••Esprit S3 — 1981-1987
The S3 is the best bet for a first time Esprit Owners who are after a G-car. Has the Turbo running gear but without the stress of the extra bhp. Still quite a few about, despite a production run of just 767. Still watch out for high mileage examples, engine rebuilds are common.
Current Price: £5,000+
Availability Rating: ••••••
Relability Rating: ••••••Esprit Essex — 1980-1981
The Essex was the first Esprit Turbo and had a limited production run. Same spec as Turbo, but with all the options and special paint job. Not many around, another collectors car. Essex have a dry sump which needs special care, beware!
Current Price: £12,000+
Availability Rating: ••
Relability Rating: ••••Esprit Turbo — 1980-1987
The markets full of Turbo's, some in good condition. Long run over many years, without to many updates. Running 210bhp and very quick for a 1980's car. Better off with an S3 unless you need the power (or drive one first).
Current Price: £6,000+
Availability Rating: ••••••
Relability Rating: ••••Esprit Turbo HC — 1986-1987
The last of the G-cars, Same a Turbo but with a High Compression Engine. Running at 215bhp and has a few mechanical upgrates over the turbo, but visually the same. Look out for the little hc on the rear wing.
Current Price: £8,000+
Availability Rating: ••••
Relability Rating: •••••Esprit NA — 1987-1989
Same as the S3, but with the new body and interior. Mechanical updates included a new gearbox, worth the premium over the G-car, Quite a few on the market and as the S3 is more reliable bet than it's Turbo brother. . Very early models don't have the colour-coded spoilers and scopes.
Current Price: £6,000+
Availability Rating: ••••••
Relability Rating: •••••••Esprit Turbo — 1987-1990
As above, but with a turbo. Visual differences are the Glass-Back and lights in the front spoiler. A lot quicker than the NA but could be more trouble. Very early models don't have the colour-coded spoilers and scopes.
Current Price: £7,000+
Availability Rating: •••••••
Relability Rating: ••••••Esprit SE — 1989-1992
Special Equipment Esprit was a huge improvement over the Turbo. With a new intercooled 264bhp engine it was the fast Esprit ever. There wasn't much left on the options list either. comes with A/C, leather, sunroof, walnut dash and wing. ABS from 1991. Best buy for a budget S-car.
Current Price: £9,000+
Availability Rating: •••••••••
Relability Rating: ••••••Esprit SE highwing — 1992-1993
Minor updates from the SE, with larger cabin space and wider openings for the doors. Loses the Glass-Back and gains a new high mounted wing (not a popular addition). ABS is standard, the last of the SE's
Current Price: £11,000+
Availability Rating: •••••
Relability Rating: ••••••Esprit Sport 300 — 1993
A Stripped out racer based on the SE racer the X180R. Running 300bhp, reduced weight and stiffen body. Very expensive and Very rare. All models have a numbered plack to show authenication. One of the best Esprit's made, and the widest tyres ever. A monster, not for the faint hearted.
Current Price: £23,000+
Availability Rating: •
Relability Rating: ••••••Esprit S4 — 1993-1996
An SE in new clothes, Updated exterior and interior, using many Vauxhall parts. Same mechanicals as the SE, but now with power-steering. New mid-mounted wing gives it its own identity.
Current Price: £12,000+
Availability Rating: •••••••
Relability Rating: •••••••Esprit S4S — 1995-1996
The fastest and most reliable 4-cylinder Esprit, with upgraded turbo and ecu. As S4, but with more power (280bhp), a new body kit and wrap around wing. Split-rim OZ stand out.
Current Price: £16,000+
Availability Rating: ••••••
Relability Rating: •••••••Esprit V8 — 1996-1998
The Esprit at last gets a V8 with twin-turbochargers and 350bhp. Early models as S4S, with same body and wheels. Trouble with Engine and clutch. Not the best V8, some ok, some bad. Save up for a post 1998 model, and you'll get a better interior and a sorted engine and clutch.
Current Price: £17,000+
Availability Rating: ••••••••
Relability Rating: •••••Esprit GT3 — 1996-1998
The Drivers Esprit. A stripped out, light-weight Esprit with a 2.0-litre turbo engine (240bhp). A large options list included a wing and AC. The best handling Esprit and a lot cheaper than the V8. Built to open the market up for Lotus's Supercar. A good second hand buy.
Current Price: £15,000+
Availability Rating: •••••••
Relability Rating: ••••••••Esprit V8-GT — 1998-2001
Taking over from the GT3, but now with a V8. Light on options and weight, also £10,000 cheaper than the fully loaded SE. Most people added the wing as an option, so difficult to tell apart from the more expensive V8-SE.
Current Price: £19,000+
Availability Rating: •••••••••
Relability Rating: ••••••••Esprit V8-SE — 1998-2001
Top-of-the-range model with a full spec, including AC and a higher wrap around wing. Expensive against the GT. Relability more sorted than ever, but won't match your Ford. Better to save cash and get a winged V8-GT (most people did).
Current Price: £20,000+
Availability Rating: •••••••
Relability Rating: ••••••••Esprit Sport 350 — 1999
Special Edition V8 with a production run of only 50 and a £64,995 price tag. Stripped out body with light-weight wheels saved 80kg. Upgraded Brakes (AP's), re-mapped ECU and lots of real carbon fibre, including GT look wing. The Ultimate Esprit (so far).
Current Price: £25,000
Availability Rating: •••
Relability Rating: ••••••••Esprit V8 2002 — 2002+
The latest Esprit, New wheels, and Ferrari looking rear lights make the visual difference. Gets 350 front spoiler and brakes. Only Esprit currently marketed, fully loaded with a V8-GT price tag. Good value compared to the previous to models.
Current Price: £30,000
Availability Rating: ••••••••••
Relability Rating: ••••••••
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