Editing Lotus Esprit (section)

===X180R===
[[File:1990 Lotus Esprit X180R "Eleanor", front right (Greenwich).jpg|thumb|left|Lotus Esprit Type 105 (1990; the second car)]]

In 1990, two specially prepared Esprits competed in the SCCA Escort World Challenge series. These cars started out as regular SE models but had all unnecessary equipment, trim removed and glass replaced by plexiglass.<ref name="ultimate180r">{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5342/Lotus-Esprit-X180R.html|title=Lotus Esprit X180R|work=www.ultimatecarpage.com}}</ref> The suspension geometry was revised and Monroe shock absorbers were added. The brakes were by AP Racing, and the car's Delco/Moraine ABS system was the first anti-lock braking system ever used on an Esprit. The Chargecooled Type 910S engine had a revised engine management system with larger fuel injectors and now had a power output of {{convert|290|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}}. These cars were designated Type 105 and were campaigned by the Pure Sports team headed by "Doc" Bundy, who helped with development. In the first season the car was able to claim six pole positions, win four races and post two one-two finishes.

Late in 1990, Lotus built 20 road-going examples of the Type 105 and gave them the name X180R. These were developed to homologate parts for the 1991 and 1992 racing seasons, specifically to allow an Esprit to campaign in [[International Motor Sports Association|IMSA]]'s newly formed [[International Motor Sports Association#IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Championship|Bridgestone Supercar Championship]]. With a MSRP of $126,000,<ref name="lotusx180r">{{cite web|url=https://lotus-x180r.com/about/|title=Lotus X180R Registry: About|work=lotus-x180r.com}}</ref> these cars came with amenities like glass windows, sport seats, a heater and air conditioning. The chassis of the road-going X180R was also galvanized, in contrast to the untreated chassis of the Type 105.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} The special road-going 1991 model year X180Rs were only sold within the United States. They were fitted with a full roll cage, reduced sound insulation, special bucket seats, competition-type disc brakes, synchromesh gearbox with limited-slip differential, 16" Revolution racing-style 3-piece wheels, special tuned suspension and shock package, racing-type front spoiler and rear wing, and competition type mirrors. The type 910S engine was developed to an officially reported 286 hp, though actual output is unknown.

Three more race cars were built for the 1991 season to be run by Lotus Sport alongside the two upgraded 105s in the American IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Championship. The new cars were designated Type 106, but adopted the X180R name as well.<ref name="supercarsx180r">{{cite web|url=https://www.supercars.net/blog/1991-lotus-esprit-x180r/|title=1991 Lotus Esprit X180R|work=www.supercars.net|date=22 April 2016}}</ref> They had a reinforced chassis with a revised roll cage and larger wheels and tyres but weighed {{convert|300|lb|kg|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} less than the Type 105. The engine was modified with larger fuel injectors, a better Chargecooler and the removal of the catalytic converter which caused the output to rise to {{convert|305|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}}. In 1991 driver/actor [[Robert Carradine]] placed second in the series and in 1992, Bundy won three races and took the driver's title.

In 1993, the sanctioning body changed the rules such that the X180R was assessed a {{convert|300|lb|kg|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} weight penalty, which made the cars uncompetitive.

[[File:1993 Lotus Esprit 2.2 Sport 300.jpg|thumb|1993 Lotus Esprit Sport 300]]

An extensively modified derivative of the X180R was sold in Europe as the '''Sport 300'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espritfactfile.com/Mod_Info.html#300Changes |title=The Lotus Esprit Fact File - Model Information |publisher=Espritfactfile.com |date=9 October 1990 |access-date=16 May 2010}}</ref> These are known as the fastest of the four-cylinder Esprits and among the most desirable with only 50 cars produced. The Sport 300 utilised a Garrett T4 turbocharger along with an improved Chargecooler and larger inlet valves enabling the engine to have a power output of {{cvt|306|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} at 6,400 rpm and {{cvt|287|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} of torque at 4,400 rpm. The power to weight ratio rose to 243&nbsp;hp per tonne, same as the [[Porsche 964|Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6]]. The Sport 300 could accelerate from 0&ndash;97&nbsp;km/h (60 mph) in 4.7 seconds and had a claimed top speed of {{cvt|168|mph|kph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} (tested top speed amounted to {{cvt|161|mph|kph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} during a test conducted by British magazine Autocar in 1993).<ref name="lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/300">{{cite web|url=http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/300_autocar.html|title=Lotus Esprit Sport 300|access-date=17 December 2007|work=lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/300}}</ref>

Esprit sales and production fell sharply in 1991 and 1992 as the SE started to face newer competitors like the [[Honda NSX (first generation)|Honda NSX]].<ref name="lotusespritworld.com/EHistory/Production_Figures">{{cite web|url=http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EHistory/Production_Figures.html|title=Production Figures|work=lotusespritworld.com/EHistory/Production_Figures}}</ref>

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