Editing Lotus Esprit (section)

=={{anchor|S1}}S1 (1976)==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Lotus Esprit S1
| image = 1976 Lotus Esprit.jpg
| caption = 
| manufacturer =
| aka =
| production = June 1976–1978<br>718 produced
| model_years =
| assembly =
| designer = [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Italdesign Giugiaro]]<ref name="ajovalo.net">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajovalo.net/muotoilijat.htm |title=Designer|access-date=8 February 2012|work=ajovalo.net}}</ref>
| class =
| body_style =
| layout =
| platform =
| related =
| engine = {{cvt|1973|cc|L|1|disp=flip}} ''[[Lotus 907|type 907]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
| transmission = 5-speed ''[[Citroën]] C35'' [[Manual transmission|manual]]
| propulsion =
| wheelbase = {{convert|2438|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4260|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1861|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1111|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|900|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor =
| successor =
| sp = uk
}}

The Esprit was launched in October 1975 at the [[Paris Motor Show]] and entered production in June 1976, replacing the Europa in the Lotus model lineup. These first cars became known as "'''Series 1'''" (or '''S1''') Esprits. The wedge-shaped fibreglass body was mounted on a steel [[backbone chassis]]. Power was from the {{convert|1973|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}} [[Lotus 907]] [[Straight-four engine|four-cylinder engine]] that was rated at {{cvt|160|hp|kW PS|0}} in European trim and {{cvt|140|hp|kW PS|0}} in US/Federal trim. The engine was mounted longitudinally behind the passengers and drove the rear wheels through a [[Citroën]] C35 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] transaxle also used in the [[Citroën SM|SM]] and [[Maserati Merak]]. Rear brakes were mounted inboard, following contemporary racing practice. The Series 1 embodied Lotus' ''performance through light weight'' mantra, weighing less than {{convert|1000|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.

Front suspension consisted of upper A-arms and lower lateral links triangulated by the anti-roll bar. Rear suspension consisted of tapering box-section trailing arms and lower lateral links. The half-shafts had no provision for plunge and handled some of the lateral forces. There were coil-over shock absorbers and disc brakes at all four corners. Steering was by an unassisted rack and pinion.

[[File:LotusEsprit2011n2.JPG|thumb|The S1 Esprit used the tail-lights from the [[Fiat X1/9]] ]]

While the S1 Esprit was lauded for its handling and was said to have the best steering of any Esprit, it was generally regarded as being under-powered, especially in markets such as the United States where the engine was stifled by emission controls. Lotus' claim of acceleration from {{convert|0-97|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}} in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of {{convert|138|mph|kph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} may have been optimistic, as actual road tests revealed a 0-60&nbsp;mph acceleration time of 8 seconds and a top speed of about {{convert|133|mph|kph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name="lotusespritworld.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/S1_ClassicalCar.html|title=Lotus Esprit S1|access-date=17 December 2007|work=lotusespritworld.com}}</ref>

[[File:James Bond Submarine Car from "The Spy Who Loved Me".JPG|thumb|left|Very early Lotus Esprits were used in the [[Roger Moore]]<ref>The only actor to play "007" in ''seven'' canonical 'Bond'-films, and seven times in a row, no less.</ref> era [[James Bond]] film [[The Spy Who Loved Me (film)|''The Spy Who Loved Me'']] ]]

The S1 Esprit was distinguished from later Esprits by its snow-shovel style front air dam, [[Fiat X1/9]]-sourced taillights, absence of body-side ducting, and Wolfrace alloy wheels. Inside the car, the S1 Esprit had a one-piece instrument cluster with green-faced [[Magneti Marelli|Veglia]] gauges. The S1 is rare in the present day, mostly due to drivetrain problems.<ref name=bezahlbar>{{cite magazine | magazine = Motor Klassik | publisher = Motor Presse Stuttgart | location = Stuttgart, Germany | issn = 0177-8862 | language = de | title = 12 bezahlbare Sportwagen | trans-title = 12 affordable sports cars | last = Beyl | first = Tobias | page = 23 | ref = MK0717 | date = July 2017 }}</ref>

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