TO CELEBRATE 30 years of this performance car, Lotus has given the Esprit a facelift with wilder rear wing, classic wheels and updated interior to the old James Bond-Lotus. As Russell Carr, Chief of Design at Lotus, explains:

“The Lotus Esprit is an iconic design, a classic blend of traditional super car razor sharp edges combined with design elements that have evolved over three decades. Therefore decided not to change the car dramatically for 2002 as this would be changing the true spirit of the Esprit, a classic super car."

The Esprit V8 is powered by the 3.5 litre Lotus we know so well. The twin turbocharged V8 engine is producing 350 hp at 6500 rpm with racing versions currently producing over 550 hp with some changes from the standard road engine. A wide torque band with a peak of 400 Nm (295 ft.lb.) at 4250 rpm assures an incredibly smooth power delivery.

The new “crystal titanium” finish multi spoke OZ Racing alloy wheels hide powerful 4-pot calipers with an advanced Kelsey Hayes ABS system. The race specification calipers, pads and discs ensure that the Esprit stops as well as it goes.


FACTS
· 3.5 litre twin-turbo V8
· 353 bhp (260 kW) @ 6500 rpm
· 400 Nm @ 4250 rpm
· 5-speed manual transaxle
· Top speed 175 mph (280 km/h)
· 0-60 mph 4.8s 0-100 km/h 4.9s
· 0-100 mph 10.54s 0-160 km/h 10.3s
· 1380 kg
· On sale from the beginning of December 2001
· £49,995 RRP in the UK
· €69, 890 (before tax) in mainland Europe


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Even wilder rear-wing: 2002 Lotus Esprit with V8 beef behind the seats.