But for the 2003.5, and now 2004 iteration, its final run, Lotus has given the Esprit one last update to carry it to the end of production. Most notable of all changes is the four, circular rear tail lamps, a styling detail never seen on any prior Esprit borrowed from the smaller Elise and M250 concept car, the theoretical replacement for this elder statesman.
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| For it's final run, Lotus has given the Esprit one last update to carry it to the end of production. (Photo: Lotus) |
The exterior package is finished off with a set of OZ alloy wheels, shod in Z-rated rubber, leaving a wide footprint on the road. Set in black, the outrageous appearance of this British Ferrari fighter still draws attention from crowds and public. The shape may have been around the block a few times, but partially due to its rarity, only 36 2004 Esprits will be made, it still looks sensational.
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| OZ alloy wheels shod in Z-rated rubber finish off the Esprit's updated exterior package. (Photo: Lotus) |
For the longest time, the Esprit made a strong argument on behalf of the 4-cylinder engine. Upon introduction, the its super-high performance 2.2 liter inline four gave it a title that was both for better, but mostly for worse - it was the world's most powerful, but also most expensive 4-cylinder automobile. A short five years later saw the introduction of a turbocharger, whereupon overall performance seriously spiked.
While there was an inarguable improvement between the naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions, the Esprit dragged its heels in terms of performance, refinement and grunt as opposed to its six and eight cylinder opponents. Performance for the dollar, however, was definitely satisfied, with increases in power added year by year. In its final form, the most powerful 4-cylinder Esprit wrung 240 horsepower out of its diminutive displacement - more or less the same engine architecture it started with.