LOTUS ESPRIT V8 COUPE 1996-2001 Review
Good Points
- Cheaper and more economical than other real supercars
- Great vintage styling
- Exceptional handling and dynamics
Bad Points
- Expensive to run
Engines
Initially, the Esprits were only available with a 4-cylinder 2.0-litre engine. Not too exciting by supercar standards, but the 240bhp made it a worthy contender. In 1996 a new V8 350bhp engine was introduced.
Performance & Economy
The car has grown during the years. Initially it was quite rough and unrefined. Having undergone countless redesigns and improvements, the mid-90s Esprit is an accomplished car with all the necessary characteristics that a supercar should possess.
It is rarely taken too seriously because of its 4-cylinder engine, however, if you consider 240bhp, 5.1 seconds to 60mph and 164mph max speed, it is good as it is. Of course, it lacks the aggressive purring of a Ferrari. This is why people demanded a V8 and eventually the Lotus succumbed to the pressure.
The V8 unit was introduced in 1996. Although it didn’t add a lot in terms of acceleration and top speed (4.5 seconds from zero to 60mph and 175mph max speed), the car was already accepted as a proper supercar and it sounded much better.
Compared to a Ferrari with similar dynamics, the Lotus Esprit fares better in terms of economy. The Italian monster can never do better than 15mpg. The Esprit delivers 22mpg with a 4-cylinder engine and 21mpg with the V8, making it as accessible a supercar than it possibly can.
The Lotus Esprit is a pop idol having been featured in films like The Spy Who Loved Me and Pretty Woman. Getting one might be much cheaper than buying a Ferrari, but when it comes to maintenance and repair costs, the supercars don’t differ too much.
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Introduction
The Lotus Esprit has been around for 28 years. Despite its steady selling price, only 10,000 units have been made. This has made the Esprit one of the rarest supercars available at a reasonable price. Some may question whether the Esprit is actually a supercar, but we think it is, even when it comes with the smaller 4-cylinder engine.
Exterior & Interior
The original wedge-shaped Lotus Esprit was designed by Italdesign in mid 1970s. It featured excessively angular lines and an aggressive front end.
Since 1976 it has undergone several redesigns, the most substantial of which happened in 1987 and was carried out by the famous Peter Stevens, the creator of the McLaren F1 road car and the MG XPower supercar. The Esprit received a rounded shape, a more sophisticated rear end and an impressive front spoiler. A consecutive redesign happened in 1993 and was lead by Julian Thompson. Visually the car didn’t change a lot. The Lotus of the 1990s is mostly famous for featuring power steering for the first time and introducing a long-awaited V8 engine.
The Esprit is a beautiful car and it is designed to look like a proper supercar. It was in the same league with Ferraris and Venturis and still remains a coveted purchase for supercar enthusiasts.
The cabin design hasn’t changed a lot since early 1980s. It is great quality and features some really interesting shapes. The Esprit is in a time-warp, but you don’t really mind it because it takes your breath away… quite literary because it takes a lot of effort to get inside. The car is very low so you just have to take a leap of faith and hope you land in a correct position. Once you’re in you can appreciate the vintage design and the comfort, which is a balance between sporty style and ease of use (with a bias towards the former).
Drive
It’s a fine-tuned and balanced car with superb handling and dizzying acceleration. The sporty suspension may be rather hard, but it still provides the basic comfort for everyday use. The car is very confident at high speeds and capable of taking high-speed corners with grace and dignity. What makes it awkward around the city is the huge low front spoiler. The Lotus doesn’t do speed bumps so be careful!
Faults & Repairs
The Lotus Esprit is not a reliable car. After all it’s just a toy. The turbo booster is a very fragile part and it will have to be repaired or replaced sooner or later. Other problem spots include the suspension and steering system. Lotuses can only be serviced by knowledgeable specialists. No DIY servicing or run of the mill mechanics should be used on the Esprit, if you do, you will pay the price at a later date.
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