December 2023 Featured Car

Lotus Essex Turbo Esprit

The Esprit Turbo’s appealing exterior is, like the plush interior, the work of Giorgio Giugiaro at Ital Design – Giugiaro being, of course, the stylist of the Esprit S2. From February 1980 to April 1981, a limited-edition Turbo was designated the Essex Commemorative Lotus Esprit Turbo, also known as the Type 82, and was only available in its sponsor’s livery of blue, red, and silver. The intro of this model elevated the Esprit into the supercar league.

The 15-inch diameter, 3-piece alloy wheels are 7-inch-wide up front and 9 inches at the back. Standard are Goodyear elliptical-sidewall, low-profile NCTs, 195/60VR15 front and 235/60VR15 rear. Bodyshell changes include large wrap-around front and rear bumpers, a full-width fronts spoiler for better air flow to the larger radiator/oil cooler and improved aerodynamics and a redesigned tailgate area to provide direct cooling airflow.

A distinctive rear spoiler which incorporates tail lamp and registration plate housings is used to balance the car and give high speed stability. NACA ducts have been molded into the sills to provide cooling air into the engine compartment – which because of the redesigned chassis offers better access – because of the lack of turbulence beneath the car.

Air conditioning controls are now situated in a center console panel and all switchgear is backlit when main and side lights are illuminated. A National Panasonic stereo cassette radio unit is a standard feature of the Esprit Turbo and built into the roof of the car – two speakers being in the bulkhead behind the driver and passenger and two in the facia below the windscreen pillars. The seats have revised foam foundations and new head restraints while the standard interior trim is “fine tone” ruche stitched leather.

Giugiaro has retained the Esprit’s basic cockpit configuration though several detailed changes have been make including an instrument panel which now boasts a turbo boost gauge and speedometer running up to 170mph. The current Esprit five-speed gearbox has been retained and is attached to the engine block by a new alloy bell housing, while power is transmitted via a new clutch with increased capacity to the wheels via plunging constant velocity joint driveshaft.

The four-cylinder aluminum engine provides a manufacturer’s claimed 210bhp at 6250 rpm and 200 lb ft of torque at 4500 rpm. A Garrett T3 turbocharger which is mounted downstream of the twin Dellorto carburetor supplies boost up to 8 psi and the engine operates on a 7.5:1 compression ratio. Maximum speeds in the various gears are 41.2 mph for first 62mph for second 91.1mph for third, 123.5mph for fourth and an inviting 152 mph for fifth. Acceleration figures – supplied by Lotus – 0-60 in 5.55secs while standing quarter-mile is offered in 14.4secs (98mph).