From the August 1996 issue of Car and Driver.Lotus has always been the poor relation in the exotic world of supercars. To Americans, the name doesn't carry the excitement of Ferrari or Porsche. In the days of its founder, the late Colin Chapman, Lotus built its reputation in Formula 1 racing. It won seven world constructors' championships, an achievement exceeded only by Ferrari.
The red crackle-finish covers on top of the engine are the intake-manifold castings, which include the injector rails. As used in the Esprit, the new V-8 produces 350 horsepower. It has much more potential. With intercoolers, another 100 hp could be available. Trouble is that the Esprit's five-speed Renault gearbox could not cope with that, and there are few off-the-shelf alternatives available.