GT5 Transcripts/Lotus Esprit

The Lotus Esprit debuted in 1976 as an evolved model of the Europa. The car styling was handled by Italdesign (then being lead by G. Giugiaro) but still utilizes the traditional Lotus technique of putting a plastic body on a reinforced steel plate backbone frame. Its engine is a Lotus-tuned Ford inline-4 that was eventually expanded from a 2.0L/158 HP initial displacement to a 2.2L/161 HP in the Series 2 model.

In the 80's, more power was required for the Esprit to keep up with its rivals but there was no more room to increase displacement; so a Garrett turbocharger was installed. This was the Esprit Turbo that made its debut in 1980, with maximum output increased to 207 HP. It became 212 HP in 1986 with increased boost pressure. In 1981, the chassis of the NA models was unified with the chassis of the Turbo model, and evolved into the Series III.

In 1987, exterior changes were made to the body of the Esprit, updating the design of the Giugiaro to a self-designed, modernized style. The first turbo model to sport this new look was the Turbo HC.

The Esprit continued to evolve into the 90s with other improvements such as a fuel injection intake, but its power reached a plateau by the middle of the decade. This prompted Lotus to replace the engine with a 3.5L V8 Twin Turbo; the V8GT and the V8SE. Both of these versions can generate over 345 HP even though the GT weighs 55 kg less than the luxurious SE. In 1999, the limited edition Sports 350 model for racing homologation was released to the public. This was one of the lightest models to date, weighing in at only 1300 kg.