1989 LOTUS ESPRIT

Beige interior.

Available now at Figaro Motors is this striking 1980 Lotus Esprit X180, finished in Imperial Blue Metallic over Cream leather and showing just 31,500 miles from new. The X180 marked one of the most significant moments in the Esprit's life. For 1987, Lotus handed the restyle to a young Peter Stevens, who softened and rounded Giugiaro's original origami wedge into something altogether more elegant without losing an ounce of drama. Stevens would go on to pen the McLaren F1, still regarded by many as the greatest road car ever built and the Esprit is where that design language began. The same 1987 revisions introduced the VARI vacuum assisted resin injection body process, with Kevlar reinforcement to the roof and sides making the new car 22% stiffer than its predecessor. Beneath the bodywork sits Lotus's galvanised steel backbone chassis, with the 2174cc four cylinder engine producing 172bhp mounted amidships and driving through a five speed manual gearbox. Fully independent suspension, discs all round and rack and pinion steering deliver the handling Lotus built its name on, with 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and 138mph flat out. The normally aspirated cars are identified by the absence of the glass shield between the flying buttresses and with only around 290 examples understood to have been built between October 1987 and September 1990, they are far rarer than the Turbo. This example was acquired by its second keeper from marque specialist White Dove Garages in March 1990 and remained with him for over thirty years. Taken off the road in 2010 at 30,851 miles, it has since been recommissioned and treated to a repaint and retrim in its current colour combination. It is offered with its original owner's handbook. An increasingly collectable modern classic, designed by the man who gave us the McLaren F1 and one of the last truly analogue mid engined sports cars. Included: - Original owner's handbook - 2 Keys - V5 showing 5 former keepers - 3 months warranty Part exchange welcome and nationwide delivery can be arranged.