1993 Lotus Esprit

*1993 Lotus Esprit SE*® Although companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini are credited with the invention of the âwedgeâ supercar, the Lotus Esprit was right there alongside them. Launched at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, the Giugiaro-designed car put Lotus on the map for many, and the carâs popularity skyrocketed with its appearance in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me where it played a dual role as a getaway car and a submarine. The Esprit went through numerous redesigns over its near 40 year history, with the version built between 1988 and 1994 - known as the X180- one of the best. This 1993 Esprit SE is a beautiful two-owner car that was originally sold at Park Place Ltd when new, and stayed with the original owner until 2009, when he sold it to a friend.® Finished in Calypso Red, this Esprit shows just 27,804 miles and has been kept in excellent condition throughout. The âSEâ stands for Special Equipment which included a new engine known as the â910Sâ as well as a unique front fascia with improved cooling, an updated wing and new, more aerodynamic side view mirrors. Sitting on a set of staggered 5-spoke wheels, this Esprit has a purposeful, sporty look, yet offers the option of open-air motoring thanks to a removable fiberglass roof panel.® The interior is wrapped in biscuit leather and is exactly what you would expect from Lotus of the era - simple yet luxurious. The two bucket seats offer reasonable bolstering, and the large center console - also leather wrapped - makes for a great place to rest your arm on longer drives. Slide into the driverâs seat and you are met by a 4-spoke airbag steering wheel that frames a cluster of VDO gauges with a centrally mounted boost gauge. The only aftermarket modification is a modern Pioneer stereo head unit and both air conditioning and power windows are fitted as standard.® Powering the Esprit SE is a 2.2-liter DOHC turbocharged inline-4 from Lotusâs new â910Sâ engine family. Thanks to a Lotus-Delco multi-point fuel injection system and an air-to-air intercooler, the engine was rated at 264 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Today, that may not sound like a supercar power figure, but considering the Esprit tips the scales at just 2,800 lbs, it meant 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed in excess of 160 mph. This power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Lotusâs strength has always been its handling and this car is no exception - with minimal modifications, this generation Esprit was competing in the IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Championship and winning against far more powerful Porsche 964 Turbos and Corvettes, thanks to its ability to carry impressive speed all around the track.® Over this generation Espritâs 6 year run, less than 1,700 were produced worldwide making this a truly rare car. That this example comes from lifelong local ownership and has been cared for by two friends from new, makes it particularly interesting and unique. For the enthu