Some cars are in movies because they look cool, but some cars, like the Lotus Esprit are not only cool, but are engineering masterpieces. Being driven by James Bond or being the car of choice by handsome prostitute solicitor / Beverly Wilshire resident financier Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman”, is one thing, but the sheer engineering that Lotus came up with when you look at the details, will make you ask, "Why? How? Is that even possible?". And that's why the Esprit V8 TT is a future classic.
My fondest childhood memories revolve around car shopping with my parents. One of the most special occasions was when I was face to face with my first dream car - a pre-owned Series 1 Esprit, like the one in “The Spy Who Loved Me”. Since that moment, Lotus has always made my heart pitter patter.
Fast forward to 2002, when I went to Manhattan Motorcars in NYC, the ultimate fantasy playground for sports cars new and old and RARE, for the first time. This place is unreal. I remember seeing a 25th Anniversary Edition Esprit V8 & that image never left my mind.
The Esprit V8 came out in '96, using an evolution of Giorgetto Giugaro wedge shaped design from the 70s. Julian Thomson designed the Esprit V8 to be beautiful, but the motor is the true efficient masterpiece. Internally called the Type 918, the physically small motor utilizes a flat plane crankshaft 8 cylinder motor (i.e. sounds brilliant), snapping on two Garrett turbochargers that were so efficient, Lotus didn't need an intercooler! Unheard of! Unreal! Insane!
The motor was capable of close to 500hp, but was detuned to 350hp due to transmission durability. Lotus designed the V8 Motor to be the same size as the 4 cylinder that they had used since the 70s. But the 8 was smaller than the 4! Which allowed Lotus to enlarge the rear trunk space. The idea was to make an engine modular, meaning that the engine's architecture could be utilized on a 4 cylinder motor or even a naturally aspirated 10 cylinder.
The Esprit V8 was as light as a buttercup - coming in south of 2900lbs. The rear wing is aggressive, but is so period correct. The red V8 Twin Turbo motor is packaged neatly behind the driver seats. The car is the epitome of British craftsmanship. Similar to a custom suit from Saville Row, the Lotus is form fitting, has the right silhouette, ages gracefully, and makes you feel like a million bucks.
The V8 TT was built from '96 to '04, but my favorite is the 25th Anniversary Esprit V8, designed by Michael Carr in ‘02, adding round tail lights & an aluminum mesh rear diffuser.
Production of the Esprit ended in February of 2004, after 10,675 Esprits were made in its 28 year lifespan. Every single one contained Lotus' founder Colin Chapmans’ principle, valuing lightweight over everything.
The Esprit may be a bargain now, but will become future classic because it draws on characteristics of a forgotten time that valued subtlety, innovation, craftsmanship, lightness, balance, mechanical rawness, an analog feel, and overall agility.
“Simplify, then add lightness.”
Colin Chapman