1985model Lotus Esprit S3

The 1960s… In stark contrast to major corporations like Mercedes-Benz, which systematically entered races to showcase the appeal of their production cars, Lotus, a small-scale constructor specializing in formula cars, took an entirely opposite approach. The company would occasionally produce road cars, funded by the financial success gained through racing achievements. As a result, a select group of enthusiasts of that era had the rare opportunity to own a Lotus that could legally drive on public roads, experiencing an unparalleled driving sensation.

With such a rare and unique origin story, every time I encounter a vintage Lotus today, I cannot help but marvel, “How did they ever manage to mass-produce this car back then?”

Classic Lotus Esprits, with their distinctive structures derived from formula cars and an aura of uniqueness, have now become an endangered species.

Esprit S1 (1976-1978) Production Volume: 994 units
Esprit S2 (1978-1982) Production Volume: 1,149 units
Esprit S3 (1982-1988) Production Volume: 3,041 units

Despite these production numbers, nearly half a century has passed since the Esprit’s debut. As of 2025, even in the UK, the number of registered (Licensed) Esprits stands at only 330, with another 374 recorded as off-road (SORN). The number of surviving examples is dwindling rapidly.

(*Excerpted from the UK website “How Many Left”)
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/lotus_esprit

Naturally, encountering a vintage Lotus that has been meticulously maintained and restored to its original condition provides an experience distinctly different from that of touching other production cars. It allows one to travel back in time and experience the aesthetic of a bygone era in the most tangible way. Driving a vintage Lotus Esprit is perhaps the purest means of engaging with the essence of Colin Chapman’s philosophy—encapsulating the engineering, design, and driving feel of 1970s-80s Britain.

Now, let’s delve into the fascinating story behind the birth of the exotic Esprit.

The Birth of the Lotus Esprit

In the early 1970s, Colin Chapman made a bold decision to break away from the niche lightweight sports cars Lotus had been producing, such as the Elan and Europa. He aimed to step into the realm of more exotic and daring super sports cars.

In 1971, Chapman met Giorgetto Giugiaro at the Geneva Motor Show, leading to the decision to bring him on as the designer for Lotus’ new model. Giugiaro’s Italdesign unveiled a concept car in November 1972, marking the birth of what would become a new Lotus icon.

With its sharp styling, featuring flat glass extending even to the front windshield, Giugiaro’s design was a masterclass in angular aesthetics. The concept received widespread acclaim, making a sensational debut. Initially, the prototype was built on a Maserati chassis. However, Giugiaro later requested Lotus to provide components from the Europa, leading to the use of Lotus’ own DOHC 16-valve Type 907 engine in the final production model.

Upon seeing Giugiaro’s sketches, Chapman immediately gave the green light for mass production. By September 1975, a production prototype was completed, and in October of the same year, the near-finalized Esprit was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. It was hailed as “the most exciting and attractive British sports car since the Jaguar E-Type.”

The production model was officially launched in 1976. The aluminum body of the concept car was replaced with FRP, using Lotus’ signature hand-laid fiberglass construction, as seen in previous models like the Elan. The chassis featured a welded steel backbone subframe, a Lotus specialty.

Unlike the Europa, where the rear portion of the frame split into a Y-shape to accommodate the engine, the Esprit’s frame adopted a new hybrid structure. At the front of the engine compartment, a tubular space frame was integrated, while the rear half combined a backbone and tubular frame. This innovative approach allowed for a blend of rigidity and lightweight construction, creating the signature Lotus driving experience.

Evolution of the Esprit: S2 and S3

In 1978, the Esprit received its first major update with the introduction of the S2.

Key exterior changes included the addition of a front spoiler, black-painted side sills, air intakes on the rear quarter panels for improved engine cooling, and new four-spoke Speedline wheels, wider at the rear (7J front, 7.5J rear). The rear lights were replaced with larger units sourced from the Rover 3500. The interior also received enhancements, including a transition from rocker-arm switches to sliding-type controls for a more refined feel.

To address engine overheating issues, additional fans were installed in the rear wheel wells. The silencers and tailpipes were also upgraded to aluminum, though the engine itself remained largely unchanged.

However, significant structural modifications were made to the chassis. The rear brakes were moved outboard, requiring additional pipes beneath the transmission. The lower control arms were relocated from the transmission to the frame, while independent upper control arms replaced the previous driveshaft-mounted setup. This change detached the transmission from the chassis, allowing the engine and transmission to be fully floating-mounted.

The transmission was borrowed from the Citroën SM, as in the S1, but with revised final drive ratios in the S2. The front brake discs were enlarged to 10.5 inches, and the outboard-mounted rear brakes improved maintenance accessibility.

From the S2 onward, the wheels were sourced from Mahle BBS, with 7J 195/60VR15 tires at the front and 8J 235/60VR15 at the rear. These changes solidified the Esprit’s iconic 1980s exotic styling.

The Esprit S3 and Further Refinements

Despite widespread praise for its handling, demand for more power persisted. In May 1980, Lotus introduced the Type 912 engine, which was essentially a naturally aspirated version of the turbocharged Type 910.

The 2,173cc DOHC inline-four, managed by twin Dell’Orto DHLA45E carburetors, featured a bore and stroke of 95.28mm × 76.20mm, a compression ratio of 9.4, and produced 163 hp at 6,500 rpm with 23.0 kgm of torque at 5,000 rpm in its UK specification.

In April 1981, Lotus took another step forward with a major update, leading to the debut of the Esprit S3. This model featured the naturally aspirated Type 912 engine paired with the chassis developed for the Turbo Esprit.

The S3 inherited the redesigned chassis from the Turbo Esprit, further refining its structure. This iteration separated the transmission from the frame entirely, adopting a fully floating engine and transmission mount system.

With the S3, Lotus introduced what became known as the “new design” Esprit, marking a shift in the car’s aesthetic direction. The S3 was the final version designed by Giugiaro, and with its improved aerodynamics and refined details, it is considered by many to be the most complete and well-balanced Giugiaro Esprit.

Today, as the number of surviving examples dwindles, collectors worldwide are increasingly seeking out these last iterations of Giugiaro’s masterpiece, recognizing them as some of the most desirable classic Lotus models ever built.