EDMUNDS.COM 2004 LOTUS ESPRIT
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
The Lotus Esprit may not be as easy to live with as an Acura NSX or Porsche 911, but it''s not as common, either.
Pros
Sharp steering, exclusivity, fighter-jet acceleration.
Cons
Dated chassis, minimal outward visibility, cramped cockpit.
What''s New for 2004
No changes for the Esprit.
Overview
Introduction:
The Lotus Esprit. Most Americans know what it is, though this is probably due more to its brief appearance in The Spy Who Loved Me than any sort of advertising or automotive reviews. It''s amazing what happens to a car''s awareness factor when you equip it with rockets and a submarine periscope. One of the more evergreen cars around, its basic shape and chassis design have been around since it debuted in 1975. For the majority of its life, a four-cylinder engine took up residence amidships. Obviously, a four-banger isn''t exactly synonymous with supercar performance, so Lotus finally managed to replace it with a twin-turbo V8 in 1997. This all-aluminum 3.5-liter V8 generates 350 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque. And while the engine doesn''t sound nearly as exotic as a Ferrari''s V8 (the turbos and flat-plane crankshaft conspire to keep the engine note rather dull), the V8 does provide ample forward thrust. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph takes less than 5 seconds. Driven at eighth-tenths, the car is a lot of fun. But if you have to hustle it at ten-tenths, it becomes somewhat unsettled. The Esprit''s aging chassis and suspension design are the culprits. Newer cars like the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Ferrari 360 Modena and Porsche 911 all offer similar or better levels of performance while still managing to provide a more refined ride on city streets. Another problem with the Esprit V8 is its interior. Drivers over 6 feet tall will feel claustrophobic once inside. The narrow seats can be comfortable for long durations, but the narrow footwells leave little room for the driver''s left leg. Outward visibility is particularly poor, and the rearview and outside mirrors are virtually useless. Discriminating pedestrians will go berserk when they spot an Esprit V8, and they often guess at a sticker price twice that of reality. In fact, pricing is in line with other top-performance cars such as the NSX and Dodge Viper. Given the fact that so few Esprit V8s are on the road, exclusivity is a guarantee. And it is unquestionably the fastest model in the car''s long history, but if practicality and reliability are important considerations for you, we would recommend shopping the competition.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Esprit comes in only one style. The only options available are a sunroof and custom paint. It comes standard with a hand-finished leather interior, air conditioning, power windows, central locking, tinted glass, electronically operated fuel filler flap, power-operated and heated remote outside mirrors and a Premium Alpine AM/FM/CD sound system. To give it flashy looks, Lotus fits the Esprit with OZ Racing Wheels wrapped in Dunlop SP9000 Tires (17 inches in front, 18 inches in the back).
Powertrains and Performance:
Like most of its exotic counterparts, the Esprit delivers on its promising looks. A 3.5-liter V8 boosted by two Garret water-cooled turbochargers cranks out 350 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Lotus claims this mill accelerates the Esprit from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
Safety:
Lotus shields the driver and passenger with a Kevlar-reinforced passenger safety cell, Kevlar being the same material used in military body armor. Other safety features include driver and passenger front airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), three-point retractable safety belts, delayed interior safety lighting, remote keyless entry and an immobilizer and alarm. Crash test scores aren''t available.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
The Lotus'' focus is on aerodynamics and engine capacity. These attributes work against passenger room and practicality. A cramped footwell and poor visibility top the list of negatives.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Blistering acceleration is the Esprit''s most formidable trait. Though it has sharp handling, its aging design can''t keep up with newer competitors like the Corvette Z06 and Ferrari 360 Modena.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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