One to Buy: 5000 mile Metallic Silver 2001 Lotus Esprit V8
Like other late 20th century automotive icons such as the Porsche 911, Lamborghini Countach and Aston Martin V8, the Lotus Esprit was good enough to warrant a remarkably long production run – in this case an astonishing 28 years from 1976 until 2004.
Although the addition of a turbocharged motor in 1980 was a major moment in the Esprit’s history, arguably the most significant development arrived relatively late into the car’s life when, in 1996, Lotus launched a V8 version complete with twin AiResearch turbochargers.
Famously, in GT1 trim the Esprit V8 had the speed to match McLaren’s seminal F1 GTR as evidenced by a famous pole position at the 1996 Nurburgring 4 Hours after having narrowly missed out on victory six weeks prior at the Silverstone 4 Hour event.
Ignoring GT and Sport 350 variants, only 1237 examples of the Esprit V8 road car were built between 1996 and 2004, a particularly fine example of which is currently on offer at the Autosport Designs showroom in Long Island, New York.
Signed off on February 6th 2001, the car was configured in classic Metallic Silver with Black leather upholstery and the optional glass roof. It was dispatched to Lotus main dealer, Auto Europe in Birmingham, Michigan, and was the eighth of 15 2001 Esprit V8s destined for the United States painted Metallic Silver.
In 2024 the Esprit was subject to a major overhaul and it is currently showing a little over 5000 miles on the odometer.
Reprinted below is Autosport Designs’ description:
Metallic Silver with Black Leather and Black carpeting
3.5 Liter Twin turbo V8 Engine
5 Speed manual gearbox
5,000 miles from New
In 1996, Lotus launched the Esprit V8. The car received Lotus' own Type 918 V8 engine, which was an all-aluminum 90 deg; DOHC 4 valves per cylinder with a flat-plane crankshaft and twin Garrett AiResearch T25/60 turbochargers.
The transaxle used was the same Renault unit as earlier Esprits, but upgraded by Lotus racing driver Derek Bell with a much thicker single piece input shaft. Despite having a modified transaxle, the Type 918 engine was detuned from a potential 500 hp in race spec to 350 hp at 6500 rpm and 295 lbs-ft of torque to prevent gearbox damage. Acceleration from 060 mph was achieved in just 4.4 seconds.
An immaculate and highly original Esprit V8 Twin Turbo. Delivered new to Auto Europe in Birmingham, MI with the optional Glass Roof. It has always been carefully used and enjoyed.
This Esprit benefits from recently (2024) having a major service by certified Lotus Dealership including Complete Timing Belt Service, New accessory belts, New water pump, New silicone coolant hose set, New spark plugs, New ignition wire set, New engine mounts, New air filters, oil service, coolant flush, brake fluid flush, New Tires, New hub bearings, New brake pads, New AC compressor, New AC receiver drier, AC charge, New fuel pumps and a new Battery.
One of only 1,237 total cars produced, one of 97 produced for 2001 MY and only one of 15 Metallic Silvers cars produced for MY 2001.
This Esprit V8 is accompanied with factory books, tools, spare, Lotus certificate of provenance and a clean Carfax report. All functions are working as originally intended by the factory when new. This Esprit V8 drives beautifully. It is a true modern classic and a pleasure to use for daily or occasional touring use.
