Lotus Esprit

Lotus designed the Type 918 as a compact engine; the complete unit weighed about 220 kg, helping it fit within the existing Esprit architecture.

The 1996 Esprit V8 received Lotus's own Type 918 engine, a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V8 producing about 350 hp and 400 Nm.

The early Esprit S1 weighed about 898 kg, reflecting Colin Chapman's emphasis on low mass.

The Esprit combined a lightweight glass-fibre-reinforced body with the steel backbone chassis characteristic of Lotus road cars of the era.

The early Esprit S1 used a mid-mounted 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed gearbox.

The production Lotus Esprit entered manufacture in 1976 after the concept design had been shown earlier in the decade.

After years of Giugiaro's wedge styling, the Esprit was comprehensively restyled by Peter Stevens in 1987 while retaining the model's recognizable proportions.

The original Esprit body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, developing the wedge shape shown by the 1972 concept.

In 1980 the Esprit range gained a 2.2-litre Turbo version that significantly increased the model's performance.

According to Lotus Heritage, Colin Chapman's personal 1981 Turbo Esprit was the first Esprit fitted with power steering; Margaret Thatcher also drove the car during a visit to Lotus.