Esprit Number Four

 

My fourth and last Esprit was a limited edition Sport 350 V8.  The V8 started production in 1996 and has now ceased. The first cars where called the V8, then in 1999 Lotus produced 50 Sport 350s.  After that, the V8 changed to two models, the SE and the GT.  Finally, a 2002 model was produced to mark the end of the marque.

 

Limited Edition

 

As I said, only 50 Sport 350s where made. They were lighter by 80kg than the standard V8, and had the following differences:

 

Blue Cam Covers Instead of Red

Lightened Body

Carbon Fibre Rear Wing

Carbon Fibre Dash

OZ Magnesium Wheels

Remapped ECU Giving Higher Torque in 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gear

AP Racing Brakes

 

About 50 Cars

 

Of the 50 cars made, 8 went to the United States (they have a slightly different spec). Of the 42 remaining,  7 went to Europe.  That leaves 35 in the UK. Of these, only one was made in blue, and that was mine.  The rest were silver, with 3 black and 2 white ones.

 

The Sport 350 manages 0 to 60 in about 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of about 180 mph.  Power is 350 bhp and torque is 295 lb/ft

 

 

© 2009 Adrian Mugridge