your friend is a true motoring LEGEND then! Lotus cars are incredible and being involved must have been great. At least three cars in my dream garage are Lotus cars: this incredible Esprit V8, the series 1 Exige and the legendary Lotus Carlton!
The problems with these cars are well known. One owner who reckoned he had bought the second V8 out of the factory to be sold in the UK said he had had two new gearboxes, four new clutches, twelve (!) catalytic converters, a new radiator, and at just under 33,000 miles a new engine. This must have cost him much more than the original purchase price of the car.
Has it ever broken down on you? Used to have 2 TVR Griffiths V8s, one was extemely problematical and expensive to maintain, the other never let me down. These cars weigh 1050 Kgms which is 300 kilos lighter than the Lotus Esprit.
A truly STUNNING car and definitely one of the cars that would go in my dream car garage! You have the true ULTIMATE of Esprit V8s with its different lights and much nicer interior, such a cool motor. So your Esprit V8 on paper actually has a lower top speed than the other car i`d have in my dream garage? That car is a Lotus Carlton that had a stated top speed of 177mph but i`ve heard that if a certain procedure was followed then over 180mph was possible! Another car that would be in my dream garage would be a series 1 Lotus Exige, such a perfect little road racecar that you can use without drinking gallons and gallons of fuel or doing insanely illegal road speeds that could lead to the local HMP. Lotus will always be one of the coolest car brands of all time.
Have always liked Esprit's, including the V8. A shame that the true performance potential of the car though couldn't be realized as the gearbox limited the power to 350bhp.
Detuned from 500 bhp because the gearbox would not take that amount of power. Apparently LOTUS stands for; Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious and some of these have been very unreliable whilst others have been fairly ok.
@@bodhiapurva3887 🥱the “Lots of trouble” trope is no more applicable to Lotus than to many other cars of the era. There’s nothing complicated about them and a well-maintained Lotus will be very reliable.
@@pashakdescilly7517 The Renault 25 was introduced in 1984, the Esprit in 1976. The gearbox from the 25 was a modified box from the 16 TX with 5 speed.
No, the internals were made for Lotus, not Renault. It's strong enough. Around a handful cases of a blown gearbox is not many compared to Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini and the rest, and is not many at all. And the V8 has very low performing turbos because of heat. If any meaningful power is going to be extracted, you need chargecooling that it did not have, contrary to the 4 pots. Renault improved the gearbox many times over the production years, always to Lotus specifications. The gearbox can be made stronger with the kits readily available. No worries. Let's get these unproportionate stories out of the internet, as anyone without real knowledge can and will write all sorts of things. It's so tireing to be reading people comments when most people don't know in reality what's there and how and why. The later ecu was 380 hp and was a hi-torque chip. Nearly everything changed over the years, stronger center chassis, reinforcements to front and rear + around gearmaster. 4 improvements to gearchange, stronger outer box, stronger much improved cylinderhead, and the V8 engines weaknesses can be dealt with today. They went from mini brakes, to huge ventilated multipiston front and rear. From non-abs to abs and to a well functioning abs. Gearmaster in 3 versions, gear cable management in 3 versions, hubdesign in two versions on newer cars, more oil coolers, and a huge cooling system compared to the early cars, also including bigger sump. The cam belt system was also improved much on 4 pots. Airbag on later cars. Weight raised over the years, but still low compared to competitors. All vents ets are fully functional, and those also improved from gen to gen. Fans were also made better but became more fragile to rain ingress. Wheels grew from small to 17" x 8,5" front and 18" x 10" rear, and Sport300 used 10,5 rear on 17" and 8,5 x 16" front with 315 rubber rear. A HUGE difference n grip. The suspension was revised several times and always improved. The setup went from adti-dive to pro-dive and then back to anti-dive. Even after production end, Lotus still developed many parts for the Esprits. I know, I use them. Instrumentation went from simple and a bit fragile, to better more complete, bust still smallish, to bigger, but fragile, and to bigger and better, and then the late V8 with the smaller binnacle with a lot of lamps instead. Seating could be had in various versions and widths. Wireing became MUCH better from Steven cars onwards. Especially on chargecooler cars onwards. The bodywork also improved and became much stronger and stiffer from Stevens models onwards. Lotus' patented VARI injection moulding is very good, apart from gaps between panels. The GT3 was called lighter but were mostly built with same equipment and weighs the same, just a 2Liter engine instead of 2,2. My 4 pot chargecooler puts out 330 hp and 415Nm on a test bench persistently and weighs 1120 kilo with coolant, battery and oil, but no fuel, and with no overboost, as it's got constant boost. I know, I weighed it. Jeremy Clarksons unknowledgable stupid saying Lotus - lots of trouble, usually serious, have been repeated very unjustly. Esprits are quite extreme cars and perform likewise. Keep them well, and they drive well, as with anything else. So let's put an end to all this crap that's been repeated out there all these years. Nearly 30 years of constant development did raise the bars all over the line. And sorry, but most car reviewers out there are about as knowledgable about these cars as a lamp post, more so internet reviewers, who rarely know anything, and will just repeat errors made by others earlier. Kind regards.
@@SportsandGT Yes, loads, but haven’t tried them in ages. I got the head unit in 1997 when i ordered my previous Esprit V8 GT and swapped it into this car a few years later. I just listen to the engine these days though.
Along with the C5 Corvette the late Esprits were the last cars to be built with pop-up headlamps. It is a well-loved feature of sports cars of the 70s-90s. But clearly not to everyone’s taste.
I’m 6’6” (1.98m) with long legs. I have modified my S3 by adding a spacer behind the steering wheel which gives room for my left leg/knee to operate the clutch. I’d probably need to do the same for all Esprit variants.
@@SportsandGT I understand, I'm tall too!...Listen, please, can I ask you specifically how you managed to make exactly the changes you told me to be more comfortable?...Because I've been looking for a "Lotus Esprit Final Edition" for a few years from 2004, and I would also like to be comfortable driving. I'm waiting for you.... Thank you!
@@MarioRossi-xo6im I did a video on it but it’s an earlier Esprit - How to get a tall driver into a Lotus Esprit ua-cam.com/video/ISp7_H9_tSI/v-deo.html
Still looks gorgeous today.
Certainly does
One of my faforites cars ever. This v8. With the s4/s and sport 350/s...
@@sebastiandrylla all good choices
That blue Esprit has a plaque signed by my friend Morris Dowton - who worked at Lotus for 38 years and was Head of Manufacturing.
Yes, on top of the glove box. Something of a landmark car.
your friend is a true motoring LEGEND then! Lotus cars are incredible and being involved must have been great. At least three cars in my dream garage are Lotus cars: this incredible Esprit V8, the series 1 Exige and the legendary Lotus Carlton!
The problems with these cars are well known. One owner who reckoned he had bought the second V8 out of the factory to be sold in the UK said he had had two new gearboxes, four new clutches, twelve (!) catalytic converters, a new radiator, and at just under 33,000 miles a new engine. This must have cost him much more than the original purchase price of the car.
One ot ny favorite
I can see why. Thanks for watching.
That V8 sound of intoxicating bliss. 😎👍
Yes a great sound.
Great video. Makes me want an Esprit again. I owned a 1990 turbo for a few years. Loved it. But I also learned a lot about car maintenance 😀
Thank you. If you’ve seen some of my other Esprit videos you’ll see I’m learning a lot too! 😂
How reliable was your Esprit?
Always loved the Esprit incredible video on them and especially the V8! Gotta get me one!
Thanks - something special for sure
Nice! I've got a 98 Azure Blue Esprit V8. Love it!
Great. Looks like you’ve got a few other nice cars too!👍🏼 Thanks for watching.
@SportsandGT I have a bit of a car collecting problem 😂😂😂
@investfourmore a nice problem to have
Has it ever broken down on you? Used to have 2 TVR Griffiths V8s, one was extemely problematical and expensive to maintain, the other never let me down. These cars weigh 1050 Kgms which is 300 kilos lighter than the Lotus Esprit.
A truly STUNNING car and definitely one of the cars that would go in my dream car garage! You have the true ULTIMATE of Esprit V8s with its different lights and much nicer interior, such a cool motor. So your Esprit V8 on paper actually has a lower top speed than the other car i`d have in my dream garage? That car is a Lotus Carlton that had a stated top speed of 177mph but i`ve heard that if a certain procedure was followed then over 180mph was possible! Another car that would be in my dream garage would be a series 1 Lotus Exige, such a perfect little road racecar that you can use without drinking gallons and gallons of fuel or doing insanely illegal road speeds that could lead to the local HMP. Lotus will always be one of the coolest car brands of all time.
Thanks for watching and for your comments - yes the V8 was a great car, as was the Carlton. Not a bad two car line up eh?
Lotus evolution moves at a glacial pace. Lucky for them they got it right from the start
Why fix what isn’t broken?
That silver one is one of 49 Sport 350s, you refer to it as "an early one"... :)
Did I say early or earlier V8? Anyway, I hadn't spotted that it was a 350 at that point - I certainly did later.
Great video. How tall are you?
Thank you - 6'6" - does it show in the video?
Great video!
Thank you
Have always liked Esprit's, including the V8. A shame that the true performance potential of the car though couldn't be realized as the gearbox limited the power to 350bhp.
Yes it could have been pretty epic. I’m guessing various regulations stopped the engine being used in anything else afterwards.
Sold my MY1999 V8Gt recently… gorgeous to look at but I just wasn’t driving it sadly. Ordered Emira instead 😛
I’d love an Emira but my wallet wouldn’t!
How much you get for the Esprit?
you shoulda kept the Esprit!
While other people dream of Lambo's. I dream of Lotus.
Great stuff. Lotus shows way more good taste!
Hoped you’d look at the S1 Elise too, same colour as mine 😂
I did take a quick look and chatted to the owner - who was almost as tall as me and managed to fit in and drive it. Another time maybe.
Lovely video. I always wanted one of these since pretty woman came out. How tall are you?
Thanks. I’m 6’6” - long legs rather than body
Detuned from 500 bhp because the gearbox would not take that amount of power. Apparently LOTUS stands for; Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious and some of these have been very unreliable whilst others have been fairly ok.
@@bodhiapurva3887 🥱the “Lots of trouble” trope is no more applicable to Lotus than to many other cars of the era. There’s nothing complicated about them and a well-maintained Lotus will be very reliable.
The old Renault 16 TX gearbox was to weak even for the detuned V8.
If only they’d found a gearbox and chassis strong enough for the full 500 beans - it would be a Ferrari-beater.
Officially it's a Renault 25 gearbox. They say an Audi/Porsche box wouldn't fit, but I bet a little chassis alteration would be ok.
@@pashakdescilly7517 sad that no one has tried
@@pashakdescilly7517 The Renault 25 was introduced in 1984, the Esprit in 1976. The gearbox from the 25 was a modified box from the 16 TX with 5 speed.
No, the internals were made for Lotus, not Renault. It's strong enough. Around a handful cases of a blown gearbox is not many compared to Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini and the rest, and is not many at all. And the V8 has very low performing turbos because of heat. If any meaningful power is going to be extracted, you need chargecooling that it did not have, contrary to the 4 pots. Renault improved the gearbox many times over the production years, always to Lotus specifications.
The gearbox can be made stronger with the kits readily available. No worries. Let's get these unproportionate stories out of the internet, as anyone without real knowledge can and will write all sorts of things. It's so tireing to be reading people comments when most people don't know in reality what's there and how and why. The later ecu was 380 hp and was a hi-torque chip.
Nearly everything changed over the years, stronger center chassis, reinforcements to front and rear + around gearmaster. 4 improvements to gearchange, stronger outer box, stronger much improved cylinderhead, and the V8 engines weaknesses can be dealt with today. They went from mini brakes, to huge ventilated multipiston front and rear. From non-abs to abs and to a well functioning abs. Gearmaster in 3 versions, gear cable management in 3 versions, hubdesign in two versions on newer cars, more oil coolers, and a huge cooling system compared to the early cars, also including bigger sump. The cam belt system was also improved much on 4 pots. Airbag on later cars. Weight raised over the years, but still low compared to competitors. All vents ets are fully functional, and those also improved from gen to gen. Fans were also made better but became more fragile to rain ingress. Wheels grew from small to 17" x 8,5" front and 18" x 10" rear, and Sport300 used 10,5 rear on 17" and 8,5 x 16" front with 315 rubber rear. A HUGE difference n grip. The suspension was revised several times and always improved. The setup went from adti-dive to pro-dive and then back to anti-dive. Even after production end, Lotus still developed many parts for the Esprits. I know, I use them. Instrumentation went from simple and a bit fragile, to better more complete, bust still smallish, to bigger, but fragile, and to bigger and better, and then the late V8 with the smaller binnacle with a lot of lamps instead. Seating could be had in various versions and widths. Wireing became MUCH better from Steven cars onwards. Especially on chargecooler cars onwards. The bodywork also improved and became much stronger and stiffer from Stevens models onwards. Lotus' patented VARI injection moulding is very good, apart from gaps between panels. The GT3 was called lighter but were mostly built with same equipment and weighs the same, just a 2Liter engine instead of 2,2. My 4 pot chargecooler puts out 330 hp and 415Nm on a test bench persistently and weighs 1120 kilo with coolant, battery and oil, but no fuel, and with no overboost, as it's got constant boost. I know, I weighed it. Jeremy Clarksons unknowledgable stupid saying Lotus - lots of trouble, usually serious, have been repeated very unjustly. Esprits are quite extreme cars and perform likewise. Keep them well, and they drive well, as with anything else. So let's put an end to all this crap that's been repeated out there all these years. Nearly 30 years of constant development did raise the bars all over the line. And sorry, but most car reviewers out there are about as knowledgable about these cars as a lamp post, more so internet reviewers, who rarely know anything, and will just repeat errors made by others earlier.
Kind regards.
LoL, my V8 has a minidisc player as well.
Cool. Do you still have any discs?
@@SportsandGT Yes, loads, but haven’t tried them in ages. I got the head unit in 1997 when i ordered my previous Esprit V8 GT and swapped it into this car a few years later. I just listen to the engine these days though.
@@floatingonairandwater that’s what I do but probably for a different reason - keeping my fingers crossed!
I think the last esprit looks like a mk2 mr2
Is that good or bad? 🤔
In my opinion good and bad, still a good looking car but not as distinctive as something a bit special I like an early one if that makes sense
@@alexpanting4177 yep, I know exactly what you mean
pop up headlights ruin it wtf do that?????? just mame fixed if i was rich id pay modify that
Along with the C5 Corvette the late Esprits were the last cars to be built with pop-up headlamps. It is a well-loved feature of sports cars of the 70s-90s. But clearly not to everyone’s taste.
The pop up headlights are what make the car shine imo
@@rickyjohnston1247 I agree of course
HI!
Were you able to drive with your knee touching the steering wheel??..
A curiosity please, how tall are you?..
Bye!
I’m 6’6” (1.98m) with long legs. I have modified my S3 by adding a spacer behind the steering wheel which gives room for my left leg/knee to operate the clutch. I’d probably need to do the same for all Esprit variants.
@@SportsandGT
I understand, I'm tall too!...Listen, please, can I ask you specifically how you managed to make exactly the changes you told me to be more comfortable?...Because I've been looking for a "Lotus Esprit Final Edition" for a few years from 2004, and I would also like to be comfortable driving.
I'm waiting for you....
Thank you!
@@MarioRossi-xo6im I did a video on it but it’s an earlier Esprit - How to get a tall driver into a Lotus Esprit
ua-cam.com/video/ISp7_H9_tSI/v-deo.html
@@SportsandGT
Hi!
Woow!
Many thanks!
@@MarioRossi-xo6im you’re welcome