1997 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE

This beautiful example is indeed a 1998 model year SE model despite being built during 1997 and registered in December of that year. It is known and documented that this Esprit joined the Lotus press fleet in early December 1997 and, judging by service paperwork, remained there until at least August 1999 covering about 7,000 miles in that time.

Being an SE, our example offers some desirable additions above and beyond the GT version. These include the gorgeous Muirhead leather upholstery, all-important air conditioning, the Alpine radio cassette head unit and speakers and the dramatic looking rear aerofoil with integral centrally mounted stop lamp. This example presents in Titanium Metallic (B62) paintwork over Raffia leather and is reported to be the only 1998 V8 with this colourway and combination of equipment. Only one other was produced in this Titanium / Raffia combination.

Following its press fleet duties, our example passed through the hands of another four lucky owners before being acquired by current registered keeper, Nathan. Nathan bought the Esprit in May of 2020 with the car having covered around 48,500 miles at that time. Nathan had added a mere 1,000 miles to that total in his four-year tenure.

Despite our 1998 model year car looking like a very direct descendant of the 1976 Giugiaro original, the Esprit had been across the drawing boards of two other designers before arriving in this V8 form. How faithful it remained to original remains testament to the strength of the first design. Designers Peter Stevens and Julian Thompson delivered two slightly different, softer and rounded off versions of The Master’s sharp edged original.

Whichever is your favourite, this example blends an opulent sophistication with an obvious athleticism ably abetted by the gleaming Titanium Metallic paintwork. Every viewing angle offers up an eye-catching star turn……or several. In side profile it is the improbably low roof height, arch filling wheels and sill level aerodynamic venting that steal the show. The rear has its sublimely curved and surprisingly large aerofoil whilst the front brings the big pop-up headlamps and outrageously raked screen to the party.

The paintwork presents beautifully and exhibits a pleasingly high metallic flake content. The bodywork is its equal, lending the Esprit an overall external condition which fully belies its 26 years. Cabin glass, light lenses and associated trim and fittings do nothing to detract from the car’s very high marks in the exterior judging.

The Esprit squats purposefully on its original Oz Racing, six-spoke monoblock alloy wheels. The open architecture of these allows sight of the blue finished AP Racing callipers. The wheels are a staggered set measuring 8.5J x 17-inch at the front and a chunky 10J x 18-inch at the rear. A matching set of Kumho Ecsta Le Sport tyres are fitted and appearing to date from 2016. These are in the correct configuration of 285/35 at the rear and 235/40 at the front. 

Despite the cabin looking a little less space age nowadays, largely down to the passing of the years and the more conventional seat design, it still offers up a palpable sense of theatre. The deeply bolstered seats are finished in Muirhead leather in a Raffia hue. They are double stitched into vertical panels and exhibit just the right amount of use related creasing. Just the merest sign of outer bolster fading is noted on the driver’s seat.

Other key panels, such as the door cards and raked dashboard top are trimmed in the same leather and accented with areas of black which help emphasise the luxurious ambiance. Carpets are finished in a Honey hue and are in good condition for their age and light colour. Heavy duty footwell mats help to minimise wear and tear.

The hooded binnacle is populated with a set of clear, white on black VDO gauges with Lotus branding to the tachometer. These are accompanied by a smattering of warning lights and the whole ensemble is finished off with a machined alloy fascia panel. Ahead of this sits the chunky, black leather Momo steering wheel with Lotus boss.

Hints to the car’s elevated SE status are present, of course. These included the original Alpine head unit and speakers, and the console mounted air conditioning. Other refinements which are less obvious include the category 1 Cobra alarm and immobiliser, central locking and tilting roof panel. 

The Type 918’s 350 bhp does a sterling job of busying along a car with a 1,300 kg kerb weight. Original Lotus figures claimed a 4.8 second 0-60 mph time, 100 mph in 10.3 seconds on the way to a 175mph top speed. Hugely impressive today. Mind-blowing in 1998.

No expense seems to have been spared in keeping the Esprit as close to its original mechanical fettle as possible, either. Aside from a full 17-stamps in the service book, in the current ownership a huge amount of key maintenance has been undertaken. The headlines here include both turbos being overhauled, new cambelts, front and rear discs, clutch, flywheel skimmed, and various associated mounts and fixings renewed. This work was performed in October 2020 by long-standing Lotus specialists Allon White Ltd. The expenditure associated to this was £11,000 and the Esprit has covered around 1,000 miles since. Despite its light use and in addition to this, a further £2,600 was invested in 2023 to have a centre exit sports exhaust fitted together with a pair of stainless-steel sports catalytic convertors. As our next section will confirm, this is a well-cared for Esprit.

As you may expect given this level of attention and diligence both the underside of the car and the engine bay look commensurate with its pampered status.

Given that there are a full 70 images in our documentation section it is fair to summarise this car’s history as “extensive” if not “expansive.” We start with the V5 registration document in the name of the owner. The current advisory free MoT is also present and remains valid until March 2025. Numerous earlier MoTs are also included.

Other highlights include the original service book with those 17 stamps from either Lotus themselves, Lotus dealers or long-standing specialists Allon White. Dozens of invoices are also included to support these services as well as detail sundry parts sourced for the Lotus. Two keys and three fobs are also on hand.

It is not by accident that the Lotus Esprit continued to attract buyers for a full 28 years of production. This record is a testament to the strength of the original design and to Lotus’s perseverance in keeping updating, refining and reinventing the car. The arrival of the Lotus designed 3.5L V8 engine was a watershed in the Esprit’s development story, however. At last Lotus had the right car at the right time with the right engine to take the fight directly to Porsche and Ferrari. Colin Chapman would have been immensely proud.

It is hard to imagine a finer example of the V8 breed than this car. It has a great Lotus press fleet provenance, an immaculate presentation and a maintenance history that has wanted for nothing. And beyond all that it remains a stunning looking and sounding car that instils surprise and delight in all who are lucky enough to see it.

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £35,000 - £45,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.