Vehicle Description
Chassis No. SCCDC082X2HA10412
Having established their reputation of building some of the finest
sports and racing cars noted for their superb handling
characteristics, Lotus would continue to innovate when designing
their new Esprit model. A successor to the Europa, work began in
1971 with Colin Chapman meeting with designer Giorgetto Giugiaro
before the production model was launched in 1975 at the Paris Motor
Show. Using Giugiaro's polygonal "folded paper" design with pop-up
headlights, the Series 1 featured a wedge-shaped design that would
remain an inspiration for future models offered across the
two-decade production run.
Arriving in 1994, the Series 4 Lotus Esprit would bring a redesign
courtesy of Julian Thomson which included a new rear spoiler and
for the first time ever, power steering. Initially produced
exclusively with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, in 1996 Lotus
would launch the Esprit V8 before the model would receive its final
styling updates by future head of Lotus Design Russell Carr for
2002.
In addition to styling changes, 2002 would mark a quarter-century
of production for the Esprit, celebrated by Lotus with this
commemorative 25th Anniversary Edition with just 100 special
examples available for the North American market. Incorporating the
same round taillight design found on the Elise S2, aggressive
fender flares were paired with staggered 17-inch front and 18-inch
rear wheels to provide a sporty exterior styling. Powered by a
'Type 918' 3.5-liter V8 engine developed by Lotus with
twin-turbochargers to produce 350 horsepower, this Esprit features
a five-speed manual transmission to reach a claimed top speed of
175 miles per hour. This vehicle, one of only 100 special 25th
Anniversary Edition examples, is offered showing a mere 1,685 miles
at the time of cataloging. Delivered new to Smith Lotus in San Luis
Obispo, CA, this Lotus features a beautiful Arctic Silver Metallic
over black leather specification. Among the most collectible of all
Esprit models, this example has now emerged from the long-term, 17
year stewardship of its most recent owner. Benefitting from both
remarkably low mileage and rarity, this already collectible Lotus
must surely be one of the finest examples to become available in
recent memory.