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Lotus Esprit

Giugiaro's wedge grew from a 140 hp US S1 into a 350 hp twin-turbo V8.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 38 sources

Also called

  • G CarEnthusiast shorthand for Esprits with Giorgetto Giugiaro's original design.3
  • S CarLabel for the softer body introduced by Peter Stevens in 1987.3
  • JPSBritain's nickname for the S2 Commemorative edition, after its gold-on-black Lotus Grand Prix colors.4
  • X180The rounded Peter Stevens redesign became commonly known by its internal project code.1

At a glance

0200400
140–350 hpPower
0510
4.1–8 s0–60 mph
0150300
200–282 km/hTop speed
0200400
176–400 N·mTorque
07501,500
898–1,391 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1210111213

Engine
2.0–2.2 L I4 (907/912/910/910S/920); 3.5 L twin-turbo flat-plane V8 (918)125
Layout
Longitudinal mid-engine, rear-wheel drive1
Gearbox
5-speed manual: Citroën C35 or Renault UN-1, depending on version1
Built at
Hethel, Norfolk, United Kingdom1
Units built
10,675 cars, 1976–20041

The story

Colin Chapman's move upmarket took shape as Giugiaro's Europa replacement: a fiberglass wedge on a steel backbone chassis, with the engine behind the seats.125

1972: Project M70 makes its Turin debut19721975: Paris launch; production follows in 197619751978: S2 arrives; black and gold celebrates F119781980: Essex brings the first factory turbo19801987: Peter Stevens rounds off the wedge19871989: SE chargecooling unlocks 280 hp19891993: S4 adds steering assist; Sport 300 lands19931996: A 350 hp V8 with a flat-plane crank19962004: Final Editions close the Hethel line2004 Lotus Europa: 1966–1975Lotus EuropaLotus Esprit S1 (S1): 1976–1978S1Lotus Esprit S2 (S2): 1978–1981S2Lotus Esprit S2.2 (S2.2): 1980–1981Lotus Esprit S3 (S3): 1981–1987S3Lotus Esprit (Stevens) (X180): 1987–1993X180Lotus Esprit S4 / S4s (S4): 1993–1996S4Lotus Esprit V8 (82): 1996–200482 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones123512142223
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1966–1975Lotus Europa
1976–1978Lotus Esprit S1 (S1)
1978–1981Lotus Esprit S2 (S2)
1980–1981Lotus Esprit S2.2 (S2.2)
1981–1987Lotus Esprit S3 (S3)
1987–1993Lotus Esprit (Stevens) (X180)
1993–1996Lotus Esprit S4 / S4s (S4)
1996–2004Lotus Esprit V8 (82)
1972Project M70 makes its Turin debut
1975Paris launch; production follows in 1976
1978S2 arrives; black and gold celebrates F1
1980Essex brings the first factory turbo
1987Peter Stevens rounds off the wedge
1989SE chargecooling unlocks 280 hp
1993S4 adds steering assist; Sport 300 lands
1996A 350 hp V8 with a flat-plane crank
2004Final Editions close the Hethel line
  1. 1972

    Project M70 makes its Turin debut

    Giugiaro's silver M70 concept appears at Turin on a heavily modified Europa Twin-Cam chassis.2

  2. 1975

    Paris launch; production follows in 1976

    The S1 launches in October at Paris; production starts in June 1976 with a fiberglass body and steel backbone chassis.1

  3. 1978

    S2 arrives; black and gold celebrates F1

    The S2 gains cooling and trim revisions; a black-and-gold World Champion edition honors Lotus's Formula 1 success.2

  4. 1980

    Essex brings the first factory turbo

    The Essex Turbo's dry-sump 910 makes 210 hp and 271 Nm. The S2.2 gains the 2.2-liter 912, 217 Nm and a galvanized chassis.1

  5. 1987

    Peter Stevens rounds off the wedge

    Stevens' rounded X180 body gets a roomier cabin, resin-injected panels and Kevlar reinforcement; torsional rigidity rises 22%.1

  6. 1989

    SE chargecooling unlocks 280 hp

    The SE's 910S adds chargecooling and multi-point injection: 264 hp, or 280 hp on overboost, with 0–60 mph in 4.7 seconds.1

  7. 1993

    S4 adds steering assist; Sport 300 lands

    Julian Thomson's S4 makes power steering standard; the Sport 300 enters production with 300 hp, a reinforced chassis and AP Racing brakes.678

  8. 1996

    A 350 hp V8 with a flat-plane crank

    At Geneva, the Esprit gains Lotus's own 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8: 350 hp, 400 Nm and a flat-plane crankshaft.257

  9. 2004

    Final Editions close the Hethel line

    After Russell Carr's 2002 facelift adds round taillights, the last of 82 hand-built Final Editions leaves Hethel in 2004.259

Every generation

  • Lotus Europa
    Lotus Europa1966–1975
  • Lotus Esprit S1
    S11976–1978
  • Lotus Esprit S2
    S21978–1981
  • Lotus Esprit S2.2
    S2.21980–1981
  • Lotus Esprit S3
    S31981–1987
  • Lotus Esprit (Stevens)
    X1801987–1993
  • Lotus Esprit S4 / S4s
    S41993–1996
  • Lotus Esprit V8
    821996–2004

Power over the years

From 140 hp to 350 hp in 20 years.

0100200300400 19751980198519901995 hp 1976 · 140 hp · US/Federal S1 (907)1976 · 160 hp · European S1 (907)1980 · 210 hp · Essex Turbo (910)1986 · 170 hp · Esprit HC, naturally aspirated1986 · 215 hp · Turbo HC / fuel-injected HCi1989 · 264 hp · SE (910S)1989 · 280 hp · SE overboost (910S)1991 · 285 hp · X180R road homologation1993 · 300 hp · Sport 3001994 · 300 hp · S4s, announced peak output1996 · 240 hp · GT3, 2.0-liter turbo1996 · 350 hp · V8 (918) 350 hp V8 (918) 140 hp US/Federal S1 (907)
123781415
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1976140US/Federal S1 (907)
1976160European S1 (907)
1980210Essex Turbo (910)
1986170Esprit HC, naturally aspirated
1986215Turbo HC / fuel-injected HCi
1989264SE (910S)
1989280SE overboost (910S)
1991285X180R road homologation
1993300Sport 300
1994300S4s, announced peak output
1996240GT3, 2.0-liter turbo
1996350V8 (918)

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    S1

    1976–1978

    160 hp

  • Standard

    S3 / Turbo Esprit / Turbo HC / HCi

    1981–1987

  • Standard

    Stevens NA / Turbo / S / SE / High Wing

    1987–1993

  • Performance

    S4 / S4s

    1993–1996

  • GT3

    Performance

    GT3

    1996–1999

  • Performance

    V8 / V8 GT / V8 SE / Final Edition

    1996–2004

    350 hp
  • World Championship Commemorative (JPS)

    Limited

    World Championship Commemorative (JPS)

    1978–1979

    160 hp

  • Limited

    Sport 350

    1999

    350 hp
  • Essex Turbo Esprit

    Limited

    Essex Turbo Esprit

    1980

    210 hp

    45 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Early Giugiaro bodies have crisp, straight-edged creases and a wedge profile.1
  • Stevens-bodied cars round off the edges and blend the bumpers into the body.5
  • Late cars still use pop-up headlights.1
  • Early cars show a black side seam strip; Stevens cars hide the joint beneath a body-color rib.20
  • From 2002, four round taillights give the rear a different signature.14

Year by year

  1. 1978

    S2 adds rear-quarter cooling ducts, Speedline wheels, an integrated chin spoiler and ribbed Rover SD1 taillights.1

  2. 1983

    US relaunch brings Investor's Special Edition: two-tone paint, matching bumpers, tinted roof and numbered door lettering.21

  3. 1988

    X180 rounds the body; US Limited Edition and non-US 40th Anniversary Turbos wear pearl-white paint, wheels and mirrors.58

  4. 1991 model year

    Indianapolis 25th Anniversary edition pairs British Racing Green with yellow stripes and yellow wheel centers.8

  5. 1998 model year

    GT3 gains a smaller gauge binnacle and a new center console; the V8 also receives a restyled interior.78

  6. 2002

    Round rear lights, multi-spoke OZ wheels and a Sport 350-style front lip arrive; the US 25th Anniversary adds center exhausts.79

Against its rivals

  • Porsche 911 Turbo S

    Esprit vs Porsche 911 Turbo S

    113–0 km/h braking lower is better

    Esprit50.3 m
    Porsche 911 Turbo S46 m
    11

Prices

Value today $55.0K–$95.0K102930

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$50K$100K$150K$200K 19901995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $55,000–$95,000 1991 · $126,000 · US X180R MSRP 2017 · $30,000 · 1983 Turbo Esprit, BaT2018 · $106,400 · 1977 Series I, just over 4,100 miles, Monterey2024 · $35,250 · 1985 Turbo Esprit S3, 71k km shown, BaT2025 · $35,750 · 1977 S1, 24k miles shown; total unknown, BaT2025 · $30,000 · 1995 S4S, 82k miles shown, BaT2025 · $56,368 · 2000 Sport 350, 25,605 miles; fees included, Bonhams|Cars Online2025 · $151,200 · 2000 V8, fewer than 5,765 miles, Miami2026 · $68,000 · 1977 S1, 48k miles shown, BaT2026 · $95,000 · 2004 V8 Final Edition, 22k miles, BaT2026 · $55,000 · 1983 Turbo Esprit, 60k miles shown, BaT2026 · $38,487 · Esprit S4, Bring A Trailer2026 · $77,987 · Esprit S4 V8, Bring A Trailer2026 · $34,777 · 1990 Turbo SE, 39k miles shown; total unknown, BaT $151.2K Miami, 2025
16101529303132333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1991Price when new$126,000US X180R MSRP
2017Auction sale$30,0001983 Turbo Esprit, BaT
2018Auction sale$106,4001977 Series I, just over 4,100 miles, Monterey
2024Auction sale$35,2501985 Turbo Esprit S3, 71k km shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$35,7501977 S1, 24k miles shown; total unknown, BaT
2025Auction sale$30,0001995 S4S, 82k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$56,3682000 Sport 350, 25,605 miles; fees included, Bonhams|Cars Online
2025Auction sale$151,2002000 V8, fewer than 5,765 miles, Miami
2026Auction sale$68,0001977 S1, 48k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$95,0002004 V8 Final Edition, 22k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$55,0001983 Turbo Esprit, 60k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$38,487Esprit S4, Bring A Trailer
2026Auction sale$77,987Esprit S4 V8, Bring A Trailer
2026Auction sale$34,7771990 Turbo SE, 39k miles shown; total unknown, BaT
2026Value today$55,000–$95,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Four wins in eight races, then Bundy's title”
    • “Le Mans in 1993, British GT title in 1994”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Lotus Esprit - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Lotus Esprit – James Bond's choice | Lotus Cars lotuscars.com
  3. Buying an Esprit lotusespritworld.com
  4. Esprit Models lotusespritworld.com
  5. Lotus Esprit: History, Generations, Specifications motortrend.com
  6. Buying an Esprit lotusespritworld.com
  7. Year by Year Esprit History lotusespritworld.com
  8. Esprit Models lotusespritworld.com
  9. Esprit Models lotusespritworld.com
  10. 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $68,000 on April 21, 2026 (Lot #238,842) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  11. 1998 Lotus Esprit V-8: About Darn Time caranddriver.com
  12. Buying an Esprit lotusespritworld.com
  13. Lotus Esprit V8 (2008) buying guide - Lotus Esprit V8 checkpoints | evo evo.co.uk
  14. Lotus Esprit – Origins and More lotusespritworld.com
  15. Lotus Esprit X180R Specifications — Type 105, X180R, Type 106 lotus-x180r.com
  16. 1978 Lotus Esprit Series I | London 2012 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  17. Esprit Models lotusespritworld.com
  18. Lotus Esprit S1 vs Essex Turbo vs Sport 300 vs S4S vs GT3 vs Sport 350 | evo evo.co.uk
  19. Esprit Models lotusespritworld.com
  20. Lotus Turn the Corner lotusespritworld.com
  21. Lotus Turbo Esprit Investors Special Edition lotusespritturbo.com
  22. Lotus Europa - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Lotus Esprit (1976-1987) review – from James Bond's icon to the Esprit Turbo | evo evo.co.uk
  24. Best Handling Imported Car of 1984 caranddriver.com
  25. Black Pearl? April 1996 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  26. Lotus Esprit X180R Racing Record, 1990-2000 lotus-x180r.com
  27. Wet Nellie - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  28. Lotus (video game series) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  29. No Reserve: 1983 Lotus Turbo Esprit for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $55,000 on October 11, 2026 (Lot #267,790) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 22k-Mile 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 Final Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $95,000 on May 9, 2026 (Lot #241,782) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1977 Lotus Esprit Series I | Monterey 2018 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  32. Lotus Esprit values: what S1 to V8 sell for at auction britishclassiccars.co.uk
  33. 1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $34,777 on January 13, 2026 (Lot #226,262) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $35,750 on November 6, 2025 (Lot #218,477) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 1995 Lotus Esprit S4S for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $30,000 on October 29, 2025 (Lot #217,211) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 2000 Lotus Esprit Sport 350 For Sale by Auction themarket.co.uk
  37. 2000 Lotus Esprit V8 | Miami 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  38. 1985 Lotus Turbo Esprit for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $35,250 on December 20, 2024 (Lot #174,865) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • lotuscars.com
  • lotusespritworld.com
  • motortrend.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • lotus-x180r.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • lotusespritturbo.com
  • motorsportmagazine.com
  • britishclassiccars.co.uk
  • themarket.co.uk

Photo credits

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