Editing Lotus Esprit (section)

=={{anchor|S2}}S2 (1978) and derivatives==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Esprit Series 2
| image = Lotus Esprit (1978) - 9576428835.jpg
| caption =
| manufacturer =
| aka =
| production = 1978–1982<br>1,149 produced
| model_years =
| assembly =
| designer =
| class =
| body_style =
| platform =
| related =
| layout =
| engine = {{unbulleted list
  | {{cvt|1973|cc|L|1|disp=flip}} ''[[Lotus 907|type 907]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
  | {{cvt|2174|cc|L|1|disp=flip}} ''[[Lotus 900 series#Type 912|type 912]]'' I4
  }}
| transmission = 5-speed ''Citroën C35'' manual
| propulsion =
| wheelbase = {{convert|2438|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4280|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1861|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1111|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|1050|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| sp = uk
| predecessor =
| successor =
}}

In 1978, the revised '''Series 2''' (or '''S2''') Esprit was introduced.<ref>[http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModels/S2.html Esprit S2] Retrieved from www.lotusespritworld.com on 16 January 2011</ref> External changes included intake and cooling ducts added behind the rear quarter windows; bigger, ribbed taillights, this time from the [[Rover SD1]], and a new front spoiler that was now integrated, folding rearward under the nose and so forming the start of the car's initially modest, thin black side-skirts.

S2 Esprits also had {{convert|14|in|mm|abbr=on|order=flip}} Speedline alloy wheels designed by Lotus. Other changes included relocating the battery from above the right side fuel tank under the rear quarter window to the rear of the car, adding an access door to the engine cover, installing wider seats and replacing the Veglia instrument cluster with individual gauges made by [[Smiths Group|Smiths]] and a new style of illuminated dashboard switches. Many switches and buttons came from the [[Morris Marina]].

A special edition model was released to commemorate Lotus' victory in the [[1978 Formula One season|1978 F1 World Championship]]. Wearing the black and gold livery of [[John Player & Sons]] ('''JPS'''), Lotus' F1 sponsor at the time, these cars were known as the '''Commemorative Edition''' Esprits as Lotus had stopped being sponsored by JPS. They were mechanically identical to the regular 2.0, with special seat and dash trim, smaller steering wheel and special plaque. According to Lotus a series of 300 were built, but it is likely the total was considerably lower.<ref name=Evo199>{{cite journal | journal = Evo | title = Black Gold | first = Dan | last = Prosser | number = 199 | date = September 2014 | page = 114 | publisher = Dennis Publishing | location = [[Wellingborough|Wellingborough, UK]] }}</ref> Lotus' production records are notoriously vague, but reliable estimates suggest that 149 Commemorative Esprit cars were made.<ref name="commemorative">{{cite web |url=http://www.king.igs.net/~nadb/jps.htm |title=JPS Commemorative Esprit On-line Register |access-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902092714/http://www.king.igs.net/~nadb/jps.htm |archive-date=2 September 2009 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

The '''S2.2''' was a stop-gap model introduced in May 1980 whose only major difference from the S2 was, as indicated in its model name, having a 2.2&nbsp;L [[Lotus 900 series#Type 912|type 912 engine]].<ref name="AR87">{{cite book | title = Automobil Revue 1987 | editor-last = Büschi | editor-first = Hans-Ulrich | publisher = Hallwag AG | location = Berne, Switzerland | language = de, fr | page = 352 | volume = 82 |date=5 March 1987 | isbn = 3-444-00458-3 }}</ref> Engine power output was unchanged but torque rose from {{convert|140|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} to {{convert|160|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}. The S2.2 received a galvanised chassis, but not the revised chassis structure to come in the Series 3. S2.2 cars are extremely rare even among Esprits. According to Lotus only 88 were produced during its thirteen-month production span.<ref name="Walton1">{{citation | title = Lotus Esprit: The Complete Story | last = Walton | first = Jeremy | publisher = The Crowood Press | location = Ramsbury, Wiltshire, UK | isbn = 1-86126-066-0 | year = 1991 | page = 90 }}</ref>

===Essex Turbo Esprit (1980)===
In 1980 the '''Essex Turbo Esprit''' was launched. This special edition model wore the blue, red and chrome livery of the [[David Thieme|Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation]], the sponsor of [[Team Lotus]] from 1979 to 1981. While Lotus dealer Bell and Colvill had been offering turbo conversions for the S2 Esprit from as early as 1978, the Essex Turbo Esprit was the first factory [[turbocharged]] Esprit.<ref name="bandc">{{cite web|url=https://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Octane_Magazine_Lotus_Esprit.htm|title=On the Edge|work=www.lotusespritturbo.com}}</ref> The Essex Turbo Esprit received the [[dry sump]] [[Lotus 900 series#Type 910 and 910S|type 910]] engine which has a power output of {{convert|213|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} at 6,250 rpm and {{convert|200|lbft|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4,500 rpm. Acceleration from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} could be achieved in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of {{convert|150|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}.

The chassis and rear suspension were redesigned, with an upper link added at the rear to alleviate strain on the half-shafts. The brakes were also improved.<ref name="LotusTurboEsprit">{{cite web | url = http://lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_Turbo_Esprit.htm | title = Lotus Turbo Esprit | last = Robson | first = Graham | access-date = 2 February 2008 | work = lotusespritturbo.com }}</ref> Giugiaro designed an aerodynamic body kit for the car, with a rear lip spoiler, prominent louvered rear hatch, more substantial bumpers, a deeper front airdam, and air ducts in the sills just ahead of the new three-piece 15-inch Compomotive rear wheels. Inside scarlet leather combined with a roof-mounted [[Panasonic]] stereo for a dramatic environment. 45 Essex Turbo Esprit cars were built, interspersed and followed by a number of non-Essex-liveried but otherwise identical specification dry sump turbo cars.

By the end of 1980, Lotus was building three different models of Esprit with distinct chassis designs and body moulds - the domestic (i.e. UK) S2.2, the export S2.2, and the dry sump-engined Turbo Esprit.

<gallery widths=200 heights=130>
File:Lotus Esprit S2 JPS.jpg|Esprit S2 Commemorative edition
File:Lotus Esprit 04.jpg|The interim Lotus Esprit S2.2
File:Lotus Esprit 1980 at Beaumanor Hall - Flickr - mick - Lumix.jpg|1980 Lotus Essex Turbo Esprit
</gallery>
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