Regulations? It was detuned because the stock Renault UN-1 gearbox was not rated to handle more than 350 Tq and would grenade if abused at higher power levels. As it is, you have to drive them nicely at their 350 hp power level or you will have problems. Wont stop me from getting one at some point though. And I will order Derek Bell's UN1 upgrade on the same day. :-)
Check out the Audi transaxle upgrades, common swap for GT40 kitcars, but people have adapted for use in Lotus V8 swaps. Also the Porsche transaxle is probably more common, but a pricier option.
I hate the transmission. Every time I get on it I worry about snapping the input shaft. The shifting is also... Hit or miss. Good when its good... Horrible when its not. I suggest the transmission they used in the GT1. They are cheap enough used. Actually costing what the kit does and that kit honestly is a bandaid.
That Lotus is my dream car i know they had problems with the transmission and that's why they detuned the engine. but I wouldn't kick it out of my garage. I'd drive that thing religiously on Sundays every Sunday. Gosh i love that thing.
_I owned exactly this car (in beautiful Nautilus blue)_ .. _and then unfortunately had to sell it (due to knee problems)._ _For me, the ESPRIT V8 is still one of the most beautiful cars around._
It had to be detuned because the gearbox is rated to 295ft-lbs, so the V8 twin turbo was detuned to 350hp/295ft-lbs. The engine shares a lot of design with the LT5 that Lotus designed for GM's Corvette ZR-1, however, obviously there are some distinct differences. It's a cool engine.
Middle dash buttons are for the windows, not the mirrors; sure that was an error. In 96 they did not 'switch' to an 8, they continued to sell the four-cylinder in England.
it was detuned because the torque would have reduced the serviceable life of the Renault 25 gearbox - the only gearbox that could fit in that chassis, which perhaps explains why they didn't go for a much stronger Audi unit.
I loved this car, and so wanted one , but I found on test driving it that, being 6’4”, I struggled to get comfortable in the space. My head was bent sideways to fit....crazy. That pissed me off more than anything. But what a great car, pre-owned, if you can sit in comfortably.
Exactly. There are a ton of upgrades for them. These days, I’m sure you can find an adapter plate to master it to most of the popular high end trans as well. Hell, I bet there’s a t54 mag adapter plate for these at this point. If not, somebody could definitely make one.
That car looks factory fresh yet it is almost 20 years old. No doubt it is cleaned and maintained but for a car made by a manufacturer with a reputation for unreliability it looks in very good condition.
On the key ring, in addition to the fob, there was a anti theft engine disabler... you should have spoken about that. I have never seen one like it in the United States, other than mine. But mine was imported with the car
I am not going to say I love it... Or one of my favorite.. Because it's the ultimate#1 on my list forever... I can say forever because we are moving towards toy cars (the electric one)
I didn't actually get a chance to drive this car other than when I made this video, in which it was around 70-80 degrees outside. It didn't really have any problems with me.
A pristine example. I, too, was expecting a drive, but I get it that the owner wouldn't let you do that. His or her loss! Lotus' genius has been frustrated in North America for a very long time. I hope they find a way to make a "Super Elise" by 2020 with an MSRP around $90000. It would have a twin turbo V-6, 400+ bhp, 0-60 mph in the high 3 second range, a carbon ceramic brake option and be so light that it did not need power steering - wet curb weight around 1000 kg. Stick with the extruded / epoxy bonded aluminum chassis & cheapo fiberglass, to avoid the outrageous carbon fiber "tax." Get back to what made drivers fall in love with you, Lotus!
@@jch7891 I recently got my deposit back on a 4 cylinder Emira. It would be better named the Ephemera, 'cause I don't think anyone is going to be driving one anytime soon. The Emira is cool, but too heavy for my taste.
Vauxhall indicator and wiper stalks, and Peugeot switchgear in the middle of the dash. Lotus would weigh these items from the big manufacturers and fit the lightest of them!
Advice: the details are boring unless you’re charismatic like Doug demuro You need to drive the car and have confidence. I’ll be honest I’m surprised someone watched it, try and create a sup or something
That's a beautiful example. However, reviews describing what a viewer can actually see for themselves are, frankly, painful. ". . . finished in a gloss black paint . . ." Really. Are you sure ? Etc.
I noticed that too. It was whatever in the late 80s to early 90s but Jesus this is the 2000 model and they still couldn't get a nicer steering wheel from a newer car. After all this thing was redesigned at one point by the same guy that designed the mclaren F1 if I'm not mistaken
I have an 03' Black on Black, and dude you didnt even move it an inch!! What is the point of a car that in this video is just a pair of seats, some speakers, lights, oh and some waterproof storage for whatever else you need CAMPING in a car, vs Driving it ;)
A nice review of the car's features, but the audio and video out of sync, with the audio being ahead of the video by about 16 seconds. Annoying. Next time, drive the car!
Nice looking car on the exterior. The interior looks like Euro-crap quality. Way overpriced. I would pull the drivetrain and install a Ford 5.0 Coyote and a ZF transaxle...
Seriously, watch some of the other car videos her on UA-cam and learn from their narration. Nice car, bad narration... bad pace, nothing at all special about your review, commentary or pitch. Who cares about all the controls... TELL US SOMETHING were interested in... what do YOU think about the car?
plastic parts from old Opels/Vauxhaul - miserable Renault Gearbox - entire body is plastic = an accident with a modern VW Beetle would most probably kill you. Great piece of British engineering
one of my favorite super cars of all time!
Regulations? It was detuned because the stock Renault UN-1 gearbox was not rated to handle more than 350 Tq and would grenade if abused at higher power levels. As it is, you have to drive them nicely at their 350 hp power level or you will have problems.
Wont stop me from getting one at some point though. And I will order Derek Bell's UN1 upgrade on the same day. :-)
Check out the Audi transaxle upgrades, common swap for GT40 kitcars, but people have adapted for use in Lotus V8 swaps. Also the Porsche transaxle is probably more common, but a pricier option.
I hate the transmission. Every time I get on it I worry about snapping the input shaft. The shifting is also... Hit or miss. Good when its good... Horrible when its not. I suggest the transmission they used in the GT1. They are cheap enough used. Actually costing what the kit does and that kit honestly is a bandaid.
Hey Butch, did you ever get one? I really want one of these.
One of the best looking cars ever made.Beautiful.👍👍👍👍
That Lotus is my dream car i know they had problems with the transmission and that's why they detuned the engine. but I wouldn't kick it out of my garage. I'd drive that thing religiously on Sundays every Sunday.
Gosh i love that thing.
This over any modern mid-engined supercar!
_I owned exactly this car (in beautiful Nautilus blue)_ .. _and then unfortunately had to sell it (due to knee problems)._
_For me, the ESPRIT V8 is still one of the most beautiful cars around._
Yes! My all time favourite!! Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo!!! I absolutely love this car!!!😍
Your channel is called 'Test Drive Blogs' but you never drove the damn thing.
TheTallMan35 are you serious he never drove the car?? Well...guess whose not watching the entire video...THIS GUY!!
Ok I was like what the hell he didn't drive it.
I don't think he is old enough to drive yet :-)
I see he changed the name of his channel. 🤔
Still a very stunning looking car even after all these years! Black makes it look even better I think...
The alpine radio isn't aftermarket. They come with it.
@Brian Coble...exactly, the Alpine stereos are factory installed, just like Lamborghini.
It had to be detuned because the gearbox is rated to 295ft-lbs, so the V8 twin turbo was detuned to 350hp/295ft-lbs. The engine shares a lot of design with the LT5 that Lotus designed for GM's Corvette ZR-1, however, obviously there are some distinct differences. It's a cool engine.
How much power can it be tuned for
Middle dash buttons are for the windows, not the mirrors; sure that was an error. In 96 they did not 'switch' to an 8, they continued to sell the four-cylinder in England.
it was detuned because the torque would have reduced the serviceable life of the Renault 25 gearbox - the only gearbox that could fit in that chassis, which perhaps explains why they didn't go for a much stronger Audi unit.
I loved this car, and so wanted one , but I found on test driving it that, being 6’4”, I struggled to get comfortable in the space. My head was bent sideways to fit....crazy. That pissed me off more than anything. But what a great car, pre-owned, if you can sit in comfortably.
I feel like I just had a car pitched to me by a 15 year old car salesman with no drivers license.
Could not be bothered to pronounce words properly.
Gorgeous, I still wanna see raised and rally edition.
Negative, it was detuned so it wouldn't shred it's fragile sourced Renault transmission. A great car still!
Exactly. There are a ton of upgrades for them. These days, I’m sure you can find an adapter plate to master it to most of the popular high end trans as well. Hell, I bet there’s a t54 mag adapter plate for these at this point. If not, somebody could definitely make one.
One good looking ride
was für eine schönheit
Best looking car.
That car looks factory fresh yet it is almost 20 years old. No doubt it is cleaned and maintained but for a car made by a manufacturer with a reputation for unreliability it looks in very good condition.
Dude, where did you got it? Because this very rare car
On the key ring, in addition to the fob, there was a anti theft engine disabler... you should have spoken about that. I have never seen one like it in the United States, other than mine. But mine was imported with the car
I am not going to say I love it... Or one of my favorite..
Because it's the ultimate#1 on my list forever...
I can say forever because we are moving towards toy cars (the electric one)
I love this car! Wow!!!
I think you are cloning Saabkyle04 voice. Don't do it because it sounds weird.
The robot tone is brutal Bra.....
Very nice & clean! Any prob's with running in the summer & high heat (rad. running high temp.)? I have '98 V8. Enjoy, Enjoy!
I didn't actually get a chance to drive this car other than when I made this video, in which it was around 70-80 degrees outside. It didn't really have any problems with me.
Beautiful 🖤
Alpine radio is stock, right?
Sad none said anything in 4 years lmao
A pristine example. I, too, was expecting a drive, but I get it that the owner wouldn't let you do that. His or her loss! Lotus' genius has been frustrated in North America for a very long time. I hope they find a way to make a "Super Elise" by 2020 with an MSRP around $90000. It would have a twin turbo V-6, 400+ bhp, 0-60 mph in the high 3 second range, a carbon ceramic brake option and be so light that it did not need power steering - wet curb weight around 1000 kg. Stick with the extruded / epoxy bonded aluminum chassis & cheapo fiberglass, to avoid the outrageous carbon fiber "tax." Get back to what made drivers fall in love with you, Lotus!
Yeah we got now Lotus Emira, as you have predicted
@@jch7891 I recently got my deposit back on a 4 cylinder Emira. It would be better named the Ephemera, 'cause I don't think anyone is going to be driving one anytime soon.
The Emira is cool, but too heavy for my taste.
I've seen this and think about The movie Pretty Woman...was that the same models?
Such a nice car
Beautifull and it’s black
that is beatiful
Vauxhall indicator and wiper stalks, and Peugeot switchgear in the middle of the dash.
Lotus would weigh these items from the big manufacturers and fit the lightest of them!
Wow, push the clutch in to start.
I think you need to hold the camera a bit closer.... just cant see what it is you are filming
Definitely needed to start and rev that engine
Advice: the details are boring unless you’re charismatic like Doug demuro
You need to drive the car and have confidence. I’ll be honest I’m surprised someone watched it, try and create a sup or something
Talk like a robot.
Has my 1992 Lotus elan turbo steering wheel
The Esprit was detuned due to the outsourced transmission being to fragile to handle the horsepower the engine could output so it was detuned.
My dream car
Need for speed 2 SE 😎 👍
like +1 😀
I want to hear this guys voice describing human anatomy on a high school sex ed video lol.
Why didn't he drive it wasn't he insured?
That's a beautiful example. However, reviews describing what a viewer can actually see for themselves are, frankly, painful.
". . . finished in a gloss black paint . . ." Really. Are you sure ? Etc.
You talk too fast...you need to mellow out pal...try to relax take your time talking...sounds like youre going of a script
Coz he is reading off a script ...
That is exactly how our neighbor with M.S. talked. Stumbling over his words is how I describe it.
i understood it perfectly.
THat's it?!? Only a brief walkaround??
I loved that car until I found out I dont fit in it and I'm only 6'2" inwhich it is not shaq size
Three spoke wheel would have made that interior
No way those must be ae86 tail lights. haha.
i get bad dreams from opel/vauxhall if i see the buttons and handles in this car, even the key is from opel/vauxhall
Haha. 2000 model year LOtus and they still use third gen firebird steering wheels.
I noticed that too. It was whatever in the late 80s to early 90s but Jesus this is the 2000 model and they still couldn't get a nicer steering wheel from a newer car. After all this thing was redesigned at one point by the same guy that designed the mclaren F1 if I'm not mistaken
Still looks much better anyway than the a fourth gen wheel they could have used, and certainly doesn’t look out of place.
I have an 03' Black on Black, and dude you didnt even move it an inch!! What is the point of a car that in this video is just a pair of seats, some speakers, lights, oh and some waterproof storage for whatever else you need CAMPING in a car, vs Driving it ;)
Needs subtitles
Peças de opel astra
needs more low
I have always like the stance of these stock, looks tough.
+James King I think hes talking about low end torque
Maybe you could speak a tiiinyyyyyy bit faster at some points
I'm assuming this is your dad's
you have some high expectations for my dad lol. I work... at a classic car dealership (that I mentioned at the end of the video).
A nice review of the car's features, but the audio and video out of sync, with the audio being ahead of the video by about 16 seconds. Annoying. Next time, drive the car!
Mumble mumble
I thought it was a bloody test drive man! I waisted my time.
ブラックならインテリアは茶色でしょ
No driving
Bruh, you never view any car
Nice looking car on the exterior. The interior looks like Euro-crap quality. Way overpriced. I would pull the drivetrain and install a Ford 5.0 Coyote and a ZF transaxle...
Seriously, watch some of the other car videos her on UA-cam and learn from their narration. Nice car, bad narration... bad pace, nothing at all special about your review, commentary or pitch. Who cares about all the controls... TELL US SOMETHING were interested in... what do YOU think about the car?
plastic parts from old Opels/Vauxhaul - miserable Renault Gearbox - entire body is plastic = an accident with a modern VW Beetle would most probably kill you. Great piece of British engineering
fibreglass body is stronger than steel in an accident - it destroys itself absorbing all the energy instead of transferring it to you.....
SM - spoken like a true crash test Dummy
The body panels are fiberglass but the chassis is steel.
Nice try.
Boring