Lotus Esprit (1976–1987)

The Lotus Esprit S1 through S3 represents Colin Chapman vision of an affordable mid-engined supercar. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and launched at the 1975 Turin Motor Show, the Esprit caused a sensation. The 907 and later 910 twin-cam engines provided adequate performance in normally aspirated form, while the Turbo Esprit launched in 1980 offered genuine supercar performance. The Esprit achieved international fame through its appearance in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. The glass-fibre body is rust-free but requires attention to the steel backbone chassis underneath. The Lotus Esprit Club and specialist suppliers ensure good parts availability for all variants.

Available body styles: Coupe. Produced from 1976 to 1987.

What to check before buying

Based on 2 reported fault cases, the most important pre-purchase checks for the Esprit are:

• Lotus Esprit 907/910 engine oil leak from cam cover ✅ Known fix available
• Lotus Esprit Turbo wastegate actuator failure ✅ Known fix available

Is the Esprit reliable?

Of the 2 fault cases recorded for the Lotus Esprit on MyCarFault, 100% have a verified fix. Regular maintenance, correct service intervals and addressing known weak points early significantly extends the life of these vehicles.