Saleofcar.com :Lotus

Lotus Esprit (1988)
for sale

Price: US $5,000.00

Description:

In 1988, a new version of the Esprit was unveiled, incorporating rounder styling cues given by designer Peter Stevens (who later designed the McLaren F1). A new Lotus patented process was introduced to create the new body, called the VARI (Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection) process, which offered more advantages than the previous hand laid process. Kevlar reinforcement was added to the roof and sides for roll-over protection, [17] resulting in an increase of the Esprit's torsional rigidity by 22 percent.[18] Giugiaro is said to have liked the restyling, claiming it was perhaps too close to his original design. The Stevens styled cars retained the mechanical components of the previous High Compression Esprit and Turbo Esprit, but introduced a stronger Renault transaxle, which necessitated a move to outboard rear brakes. However, the MY 1988 North American Esprit Turbo kept its Citroën SM type transaxle and the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system used in the previous model year.
The car's Type 910 engine retained 215 bhp (160 kW; 218 PS) and 220 lb·ft (298 N·m), but decreased its zero to sixty from 5.6 seconds to a varied time between 5.4[19] - 5.1[20] seconds and a top speed of over 150 mph (240 km/h). The exterior style changes were accompanied by a redesign of the interior, allowing a little more space for the occupants. The Stevens styled Esprit is often known by its project code of X180. I have owned this fabulous car for many years, part of the family so to speak.
The new body exhibits a smoother, more rounded shape, the rear buttresses have been cleaned up, combustion-air inlets have been blended in behind the rear quarter windows, and a sheet of smoked glass open at the bottom for ventilation, has been added to improve aerodynamics, replacing the sopped backlight and black louvers of the earlier models. Also gone is the tacked-on appearance of the skirts and bumpers: the new car has a much more integrated look. Not surprising, because the older body had to change over the years to meet changing times and performance levels. For example, in the original road test (R&T July 1977) the Esprit ran 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds, the quarter mile in 17 flat, and topped out at 120 mph. The Turbo, as last tested (June 1986) did 0-60 in 5.6, the quarter in 14.3, and had a top speed of 152. That sort of top-end performance will exact its toll in aerodynamic changes, hence the somewhat cobbled-up look of the last of the Giugiaro-based Esprits.
These excerpts from various publications and much more information is readily available online. Just try and keep a Ferrari on the road with hand tools and a general knowledge of automobiles and you will be doomed. There is a great following of these fine automobiles and a lot of fellow owners are proud to lend a helping hand, or idea to say the least.

_{update: 2015-04-27}