One to Buy: 102,000km from new 1994 Lotus Esprit Sport 300 (SOLD)
Of all the Esprits built between 1976 and 2004, the Sport 300 ranks as arguably the most highly regarded.
Conceived as a road-going derivative of the 1992 IMSA Supercar Championship-winning X180R, the Sport 300 also served as a homologation special for a GT class racing Esprit that would debut at the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1992, the Sport 300 was equipped with an array of enhanced equipment to maximise its on-track performance.
In addition to the most powerful turbocharged engine ever fitted to an Esprit, the Sport 300 featured uprated suspension and brakes, a custom aero kit, brawny wheelarch extensions and massive three-piece OZ Racing wheels. The interior was pared down and bucket seats installed.
As a result of its simplified interior plus a lighter, stiffer bodyshell (a result of extensive use of composite materials), 80kg was shaved from the kerb weight of a standard Turbo SE.
Although originally outlawed from sale in the USA, thanks to the 25-Year Import Rule that exempts vehicles that did not meet Federal regulations, at least one of the 64 Sport 300s built has made it across the Atlantic and is now offered for sale with Autosport Designs in Huntington Station, New York.
Configured in the trademark Sport 300 colour of Camel Yellow, this particular example has covered 102,000km from new and comes with a fully documented service history.
Reprinted below is Autosport Design’s description for this extremely rare Lotus homologation special:
Camel Yellow (after the Camel cigarettes - sponsored Lotus F1 cars of the period) with Black leather interior and Black carpeting, 2,174cc twin-cam 16-valve turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 302 bhp, 5-speed manual gearbox, 102,000 kilometers/63,000 miles from new. Limited edition, 1 of 64 in total, manufactured by Lotus Cars, exceptional condition throughout, full service and ownership histories.
This extremely rare Sport 300 is a lightweight, high-performance, road-going version of the Esprit X180R American SCCA Championship winning race cars and widely regarded as the best Esprit ever produced. Manufactured in a limited edition of only 64 in total, it was a rare and a very expensive commodity at the time, $37,000 more than a standard Esprit S4 and only $18,500 less than a Ferrari 348 TB.
Powered by a 2,174cc twin-cam 16-valve turbocharged 4-cylinder engine as in the Esprit S4, but with hybrid Garrett T3/T4 turbocharger being fed air through a more efficient intercooler, the engine sported larger inlet valves with polished cylinder head ports which, when combined with recalibrated engine management, a little more boost the Sport produced 302 bhp at 6,400 rpm and 287 lb.ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. 0-60 acceleration in 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 169 mph.
Cosmetically, the Sport 300 had a new front air dam with integral brake cooling ducts, extended wheel arches and a new rear wing. Extensive use of composites in its construction shaved about 175 lbs. from the Esprit S4's 3000 lb. weight.
The suspension was essentially a road going version of X180R racers. Torsional stiffness was improved through the use of an engine bay cross-brace as well as a modified front cross-member and subframe. The Sport 300 received stiffer springs and shock absorbers, the hub carriers were modified, an adjustable rear sway-bar link on the rear suspension added and the suspension geometry received updated settings.
Road grip and stopping power was achieved by the use of massive OZ Racing 3-piece wheels, 8.5x16” at the front and 10.5x17”at the rear. Braking comes from 4-piston AP Racing calipers mated to 327mm ventilated discs at the front and 280mm discs at the rear supplemented by its anti-lock system.
With pin-sharp handling, race bred responses and more power, the Sport 300 has become the 'Holy Grail' amongst Lotus Esprit enthusiasts. With only 64 ever built, the Sport 300 is regarded by all concerned as “The best Esprit ever”, they are very rarely found on the open market, especially here in the United States.
This Lotus Esprit Sport 300 has been mechanically serviced and sorted throughout and comes complete with all books, documentation and service records from new.
