I purchased my 1991 Esprit Turbo in May. It's unusual in that it's a carb turbo in a N/A body! I checked with Lotus and it's absolutely correct. Looking at the production figures it appears to be one of the last nine or ten carb turbo's produced. It also has the SE chassis, wheels and ABS. Externally the only visual difference is the exhaust tail pipe exits on the nearside and internally the boost guage. A fantastic car to drive having previously owned an S2 in the middle 80's. Next time you see an N/A Esprit it may not be what it appears! Does anyone else have a rare car and are there any other owners of this model?

PS With regards to the S2. Anyone own YVG 788S of YVG 789S in silver?

Wow! That is a bit of an oddity.

So far the weirdest thing I've seen was UXU 206, it's still for sale at Broadwater Classics in Silverstone 14 grand, but only 33000 genuine miles - might be right for someone. They actually thought it was an SE and had marketed it as such, but I soon put them right on it!

UXU 206 Red Stevens Hybrid

Basically it was a late 1988 Stevens Turbo, except it had G-Car styled 'turbo esprit' decals on the bit above the armrest in the interior, but SE type air-con. It did have a turbo but it didn't have a chargecooler, and it was orginally made to run on Unleaded petrol with fuel injection, but I presume no lamda sensors or SE engine management system, certainly no ABS. Also had an SE spoiler.

I guess Lotus were using up old parts and trying out new ones in the late eighties, apparently something like 9 hybrids were made; somebody once told me the hybrids are officially called Lotus Esprit Turbo S's. But the log book just had it as a LET. I guess they intended it to go to the states because I don't think 95 RON hit the shelves in the UK until mid 1989.

Edited July 20, 200519 yr by EspritMiltonKeynes

Basically it was a late 1988 Stevens Turbo, except it had G-Car styled 'turbo esprit' decals on the bit above the armrest in the interior, but SE type air-con.

The old style graphics lived on in the stevens shape for a few years,

i got em too

Does sound like one of these: http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EModels/Esprit_S.html

personally, i would not consider losing those lovely burbly carbs

without getting the chargecooler, don't see ths point as i like the

sound of a carbed car, and injection does not sound as sweet.

(until you run with no silencer or cat )

Thanks for your replies. Yes, there is a perfect description of my car under the 'S' model Esprit on Lotus Esprit World. I'm very pleased with it. It's totally original in calypso red with sand leather interior and that's the way I intend to keep it. The only thing spoiling my enjoyment when driving is those blasted speed humps! Is there a legal limit for the height of these things? But then, this is a totally different topic!

Small point, but I thought the S didn't have glass in the back. That pic is of a normal Stevens Turbo:

http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EModels/Esprit_S.html

I think this is an S:

http://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_Esprit_Stevens_Red.jpg

Thanks for the update Mark. The description of the 'S' includes all the 1991 models. Your photo shows what I believe to be a N/A esprit. If you look at the rear wheels they are smaller than than the 'S'. Also the exhaust exits on the right. I think this is common to the N/A. I may be wrong but it's an interesting subject.

That is identical to an NA for sure

For what I understand, the very last Esprit Turbo

Edited July 20, 200519 yr by Mark Blanchard

The old style graphics lived on in the stevens shape for a few years,

i got em too 

Does sound like one of these: http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EModels/Esprit_S.html

personally, i would not consider losing those lovely burbly carbs

without getting the chargecooler, don't see ths point as i like the

sound of a carbed car, and injection does not sound as sweet.

(until you run with no silencer or cat  )

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your right, you cant beat the sound of those Dellortos! Tell Bibs to keep his (or else)

I agree that mine looks identical to the N/A model. What we need is someone with an 'S' to clear it up! Can anyone help?