The Lotus Esprit Sport 350 Sports Car

 An evaluation of the Lotus Esprit Sport 350 Sports car, covering development, features that are important, and technical data of this the 20 sixth item in the Lotus range.

With this Article, I provide a nostalgic look at the Lotus Esprit Sport 350, 1 of an elite group of classic automobiles, which was constructed during the season 1999.

The Esprit Sport 350 was released, in 1999, during the NEC Motor Show in Birmingham.

It was conceived as an effort to drive on the coattails of the Sport 300 as well as the Esprit V8, because of their Lotus 918, 3.5 litre, V8, twin turbocharged motor, by using Garrett T25 Turbos, and also with multipoint fuel injection.

It'd a 0 60 mph time of 4.3 secs, a 0 100 mph time of 9.9 secs, along with a top velocity of 175 mph.

With changes to the engine management process, the lower end torque may be enhanced.

It was the most intense Esprit supercar, becoming both street going and ideal for the track.

The title Sport 350 arrived, not surprisingly, from the reality that the motor developed 350 bhp.

Nevertheless, with the growth of strict emission management laws in the US, Lotus was fairly restricted in what it can further realize, in phrases of overall performance, from the Sport 350. By now, the Esprit was in its twilight years.

The actual advantages for the automobile will come from a racing orientated suspension set up, wider magnesium wheels, significantly better braking system, a carbon fibre back wing, along with a sports inside with little bucket seats.

Though Lotus targeted a production run of just fifty equipment to keep the product extraordinary, in the long run, just forty seven were in fact constructed.

In addition, a limited edition aluminium plaque was installed to the bottom part of the windscreen what about the centre of the dashboard, whilst reddish camshaft covers replaced the prior sky blue version.

Strangely enough, with many that strength on tap, it was never equipped with a small slip differential.

Externally, it are different from the 1998 Esprit V8 GT and SE variants as follows:

A freshly styled front end

Fitting a substantial carbon fibre rear wing that was supported by aluminium uprights

Special silver color for the body

A bronze grille mesh in the reduced body openings

The low face spoiler was created even deeper so it was nearly touching the ground

Both front side and side air vents have been emphasised in blue

Huge "Sport 350" emblems had been positioned smartly on each door as well as on the roof By connecting OZ Racing Crono Magnesio alloy wheels, this will improve grip as well as help lessen weight.

In addition, these 5 spoke alloys had been known to be probably the lightest road wheels it had been feasible to purchase.

Rigidity was raised by stiffening the suspension and including motor bracing.

It was equipped with a Kelsey Hayes anti lock braking mechanism.

In addition, to enhance the stopping power, it got bigger 2 piece, 320 mm, AP Racing disc brakes throughout the round, that were vented as well as drilled.

For those needing a far more definitive exhaust note, there was an optional sports fumes.

The dashboard was made totally of carbon fibre to minimise bodyweight.

Right now that the entire weight had been cut down by around eighty kg, the Sport 350 was probably the highest performing Esprit to day, with a sale price which was a tiny proportion under £65,000.

These mass cost savings contributed to it becoming the very first Esprit to break the ten second screen for the 0 100 mph time.