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The Lotus Esprit V8 sports car

A review of the Lotus Esprit V8 sports car, covering the development, important features and technical data of this 25th model in the Lotus range.

In this article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Lotus Esprit V8, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 1996 to 1997.

The Lotus Esprit V8

After years of much thought from the mid-1980s, Lotus finally decided to install a V8 engine in the Esprit’s mid-engined chassis, along with a new interior, improved clutch, improved gearshift, and a modified rear wing that now it was mounted higher.

The Lotus Esprit V8 sports car was launched in March 1996 at the Geneva Motor Show and was seen as the replacement for the Esprit 4 Series and the Sport 300.

The need for such a change was rooted in new, stricter emission control regulations in the US, the result of which would almost certainly have prevented the existing 4-cylinder Turbo variant from complying.

It was powered by a 3.5-liter, 32-valve, V8, all-aluminum, twin-turbo Lotus engine using Garrett T25 / 60 turbos.

This engine, developed by Lotus, was designated the Lotus 918 and produced 350 bhp, with a top speed of 175 mph, a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds, and a 0-100 mph time of 10.1 seconds.

This was a huge improvement over the 4-cylinder Turbo, putting it right up there with its arc rivals, the Ferrari F355 and Porsche 996.

The 918 engine originally developed 500 hp, but was out of tune to 350 hp to avoid damage to the Renault transmission links, which could not cope with such power.

It was equipped with the same Renault five-speed gearbox as before, but no charge cooler (intercooler) was added.

It retained the same ABS braking system, sported even larger wheels, and proudly displayed a V8 insignia next to the taillights.

The wood and leather interior was replaced by a more minimalist approach, including the use of buttons within a redesigned center console.

However, it still retained, from previous models, a necessary struggle to get in or out of the car.

Rear vision was still poor due to the size of the rear wing.

In late 1997, the V8 model was presented in two slightly different specification formats, called Special Equipment (SE) and GT models.

The performance of each remained largely unchanged, and both featured a redesigned interior.

However, the SE variant was offered with more luxurious appointments.

The Lotus Esprit V8 GT

In October 1997, the Lotus Esprit V8 GT sports car was unveiled at the London Motor Show.

It was powered by the same engine and offered the same impressive performance as the V8, but without some of the more luxurious accessories, such as leather seats and air conditioning.

As a result, its weight was reduced by roughly 50kg and the price dropped by around £ 10,000, making it more attractive at just under £ 50,000.

There were a number of changes to this variant, including:

  • A racing clutch was added for easier clutch handling.
  • The gearbox selection mechanism was modified to make it quieter and more precise.
  • Anti-lock braking system checked.
  • The rear wing was removed
  • The leather seats were replaced by GT3 composite racing seats.

The Lotus Esprit GT3

Also in October 1997, the sports car Lotus Esprit GT3 was introduced as an entry-level Esprit, and the luxurious accessories present on the V8 variant were removed.

It was powered by the same turbocharged, charge-cooled, 2-liter, 4-cylinder Lotus 920 engine that had been used in previous models destined for the Italian market.

It developed 240 bhp at 6250 rpm and 216 ft / lbs of torque at 3750 rpm, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds, a 0-100 mph time of 12.9 seconds, and a top speed of 162 mph.

Some of the features of the 1997 GT3 include:

  • There was no rear-mounted aerodynamic profile.
  • The “GT3” badge was placed along the bottom of the doors.
  • The seats come from the Sport 300
  • It used the same lightweight ABS braking system as the V8
  • It was equipped with the Delco multipoint fuel injection system.

This marked the end of the Lotus Esprit V8

Perhaps this walk down memory lane could have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:

Which Lotus sports car is your favorite?

However, if this question still remains unanswered, I will review, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Lotus sports cars that were featured in the memorable era spanning from 1952 to 1996.

I hope you will join me on my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane.”

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