Picture Of

Lotus Cars Esprit

Lotus Cars Press Release
The Lotus Esprit Cars is Colin Chapman's latest exotic 2 litre, mid-engined, two seat, high performance sports car incorporating many design features proven by a Team that designed and built the racing cars which, to date, have won more Formula One Grand Prix than any other motor vehicle manufacturer and has done so in less time than its principal competitor.

The Lotus Esprit Cars design and development programme has included wind tunnel testing at each stage to ensure maximum aerodynamic efficiency and stability. The Lotus Cars Esprit is powered by the highly successful 16 valve 2 litre, Lotus 907 engine which has set new standards of efficiency, power out-put and endurance. The five speed gearbox is designed to match the engine torque and vehicle weight, the installation of which follows current Formula One design practice giving optimum weight distribution. The gear change mechanism is both quick and precise.

The Lotus Esprit Cars, the body and interior of which was styled by Europe's leading stylist, Giorgetto Giugiaro, is manufactured utilising the very latest Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (G.F.R.P.) technology and incorporates many of the safety features proven in the successful Lotus Cars Elite which, in 1975, was awarded Europe's most coveted safety award, the Don Safety Trophy.

The luxurious interior is upholstered in washable fabric giving maximum comfort, warmth in Winter and coolness in Summer, Fitted head restraints and deep comfortable semi-reclining seats give the driver and passenger superb comfort and minimum fatigue. Command and information services are grouped within a three panel console, the left hand panel provides lighting control, the central panel houses the environmental controls. The electric windows are housed the central tunnel accessible to both driver and passenger. Twin fuel tanks give the Esprit a total capacity of 15 gallons and a crusing range of approximately 450 miles. A total luggage capacity of 7 cu.ft. is provided in the front and rear compartments.

Four powerful headlamps are fully retractable for aerodynamic efficiency and can be instantly raised electrically at the touch of a button. The large laminated windscreen permits superb vision and is swept by a Lotus Cars designed pantograph singe wiper system to give clear vision in the poorest weather conditions.

The primary safety design ensures that acceleration, handling and braking performance give a totally controllable vehicle under all conditions.

The secondary safety encompasses the structural design of body and chassis to afford the occupants a wide margin of protection in the event of a collision. The phenomenal impact qualities of glass fibre reinforced plastic (G.F.R.P.) plus the integral "safety cell" structure within the body shell of the Lotus Cars Esprit set new standards of passenger security.

The Lotus Cars Esprit, encompassing STYLE, PERFORMANCE and SAFETY with ECONOMY, truly represents TODAY'S CAR designed for TOMORROW.