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1976 LOTUS ESPRIT S1 engines:

"Although they looked fast, the very first Esprits were very under-powered. Horsepower of the Lotus Type 907 engine was a meager 160hp. In the early 1980's a turbocharger was added to the Type 910. This improved performance to 210hp @ 6,500rpm and 200ft/lbs torque at 4250rpm. 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, top speed was 140+ mph." from "Esprit Fact File"

The S1 had a 130bhp 2.0 litre engine design by Lotus attached to a Citroen gearbox. The S1 was replaced by the S2 in 1978, with only a few external & internal changes. The S2 was followed in 1980 by the S2.2, which was basically an S2 with a 2.2 litre engine instead of a 2.0 litre.

The Turbo Esprit (it's proper title), was to run until 1987 with only minor changes made, carrying a 2.2 litre turbocharged engine and making 210 bhp. It was one of the quickest cars on the road, capable of over 150mph, leaving Ferrari and Porsche in it's shadow. In 1981 after the success of the Turbo Esprit, Lotus launched the Esprit S3, which used the new turbo chassis, but carried an un-turbocharged engine and lost the body kit. This is called an NA for normally aspirated, basically meaning no turbo. The S3 also ran until 1987.
All data courtesy of Lotus Esprit World.com

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Updated 05.05.05