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The childbirth(delivery) of LOTUS ESPRIT , was not without pain. Presented
to the salon of Turin in 1972, under shape of a Prototype, she(it) was thrown(launched) officially only three years later, and began has to be delivered that in 1976. Indeed, the crisis of the petroleum had already go on the rampage with the other builders.LOTUS presented ESPRIT as his(its,her) first model of great tourism, and also as the most expensive of the products to produces her(it). Previously, with the
ÉLITE, EUROPE, ELAN and SEVEN, COLIN CHAPMAN had produce models of pure and hard sportswomen, remarkable when has them road qualities, and their exceptional report weight performance, but misers in refinements and comfort.This time LOTUS, aimed higher, in the point to invest(surround) heavily to build his own
engine. It was a question of one 2 liters in double trees has cams before commanded(ordered) by belt notched and 16 air valves of 160Cv, coupled has one limps with origin CITROEN-MASERATI ( SM and MERAK ), compact and functional joining(assembly), of a very brilliant return for time.It was a question, regrettably only of one 4 cylinders, this engine was certainly everything has make has its place under the bonnet, JENSEN HALLET, as well as SUNBEAM-TALBOT-LOTUS, that it will propel (in version 2,2 liters) afterward.
Refinement was doubtless missing to compete with the Flat six , or of V8 Ferrari or Lamborghini, appreciably more expensive, it is real: a little less of 160.000F against a little no more of 120.000F in 1978.
Level body, on the other hand,the design was resolved
LOTUS 72 of formula 1 has to transpose into the bodies of the GT tremendous shape in corner(place) appeared with the revolutionary. For that purpose, it decided to align as much as possible the line of the bonnet is that of the windscreen, that - this being tilted has 19 ° on the prototype of Turin which, as the conceived MASERATI BOOMERANG according to the same principle, made sensation. But afterward should be raised has 24.5 ° on standard models for the imperatives of ratification.About the road holding, less sharp than the other products LOTUS, behavior has of the being a little sacrificed on the altar of the comfort, it does not there stay less than this automobile has an excellent behavior, being CHAPMAN even an excellent pilot, luxury did not completely distort(completely alter) philosophy house: make simple, light, and not very dearly (in that case third epitaph was not respected).
appeared in 1978 on S2, in the black bottom of box and spoiler integrated.In 1980, S2 receives one 2.2 liters atmospheric. Launch of a limited series
" ESSEX PETROLEUM " (Sponsor of LOTUS in F1) has turbo engine of 215Ch prefiguring series 3 ( S3 ).In 1981, appearance of
S3, big bumper, bigger back fires, paster(spoiler) and in the big bottom of box on turbo.Presentation of the
series 4 ( S4 ) restyling in 1987.Presentation of
the ESPRIT V8 (3.5litres 260Ch 282km / hour).
