What is the Lotus Esprit?
The Esprit is a two-seat, mid-engined sports coupe and one of Lotus’s best-known nameplates. Its low, wedge-shaped body was designed by Italian stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro and gave the car a distinctive angular look. The compact layout reflects Lotus’s focus on purposeful sports cars.
The Esprit came from the Chapman-era Lotus, a British maker with roots in racing and engineering-led sports cars. Later versions softened the original sharp lines while keeping the mid-engined coupe format.
Esprit generations
The S3, Type 85, ran from 1981 to 1987. The X180 followed from 1987 to 1993, with a rounder take on the wedge shape. The S4 ran from 1993 to 2004 and continued the shift toward smoother styling. The Esprit name dates back earlier than the S3.
Engines and fuel consumption
The listed Esprit versions use petrol engines from 2.2 to 3.5 litres. The UK VCA figure gives a lowest consumption of 12.5 L/100 km on the NEDC test. The US EPA figure is 12.4 L/100 km, with a best combined rating of 19 MPG.
The UK and US figures use different procedures: NEDC in Europe and the EPA test in the United States. The consumption figures are not directly comparable.
Where was the Esprit sold?
The Esprit appears in UK VCA figures from 2000 to 2004 and US EPA figures from 1984 to 2004. The nameplate’s history began before the years covered by those market figures.
Questions and answers
What kind of car is the Lotus Esprit?
It is a two-seat, mid-engined sports coupe known for its wedge-shaped design.
Which Esprit generations are listed?
The S3 ran from 1981 to 1987, the X180 from 1987 to 1993, and the S4 from 1993 to 2004.
What engines are listed for the Esprit?
The listed petrol engines range from 2.2 to 3.5 litres.
What is the Esprit’s official fuel consumption?
The lowest listed UK figure is 12.5 L/100 km on NEDC. The US EPA listing gives 12.4 L/100 km and a best combined rating of 19 MPG.
