Esprit S1

Colin Chapman commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro to design a mid-engine sports car that would elevate Lotus from kit-car builder to supercar manufacturer. Giugiaro responded with one of the most radical shapes of the 1970s: a pure wedge built entirely from straight lines and sharp creases.

The Series 1 Esprit debuted in 1976 with Lotus's own 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 160 hp. The car was light (900 kg in early form) and handled with the precision expected of a Lotus, but the engine was modest compared to Italian V8s.

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) transformed the Esprit from a niche sports car into a cultural icon. The white S1 driven by Roger Moore that converted into a submarine is one of the most famous movie cars ever. Elon Musk bought the actual prop car for $866,000 at auction.

The Esprit Turbo (1980) addressed the power deficit with a turbocharged engine producing 210 hp. Peter Stevens redesigned the body for the 1987 model, rounding Giugiaro's sharp edges. The final V8 variant (1996-2004) used a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 500 hp.

Across 28 years and 10,675 units, the Esprit remained true to Chapman's philosophy: lightweight, mid-engine, and uncompromised in handling.