Esprit model history - '93 M.Y. onwards (Excluding '93 M.Y. USA)
'93 Model Year Introduction: March `93
Esprit S4 (U.K. & Export, not USA); VIN: P 0001 to 0010, 1011 onwards As '92 M.Y. Chargecooler specification with following changes:
- Restyled front bumper and spoiler, bonnet, sills, rear aerofoil, transom spoiler, rear valance.
- Power steering.
- Front suspension geometry altered with provision for camber adjustment.
- Rear suspension camber changed, with provision for adjustment.
- 17 inch Lotus styled 5-spoke alloy wheels, with 215/40 ZR17 (front) and 245/45 ZR17 (rear) Goodyear Eagle GS-A tyres.
- New door window lift mechanism, incorporating 'one touch' and obstruction sensing.
- New door lock mechanism and CDL, with single key operation of vehicle locks.
- Megamoss vehicle alarm includes 'deadlocking' and engine crank immobilisation.
- Restyled interior including; fascia, crash pad and glovebox lid, seat upholstery, instrument layout and carbon fibre look-alike masks, centre console and tunnel trim, door panels, steering wheel.
- Elan type front side/turn lamps, new front fog lamps and interior lamp, electric vacuum pump, tailgate mounted radio aerial.
- Revised 'High Torque' RH shift transmission.
- New wheel changing scissor jack.
Sport 300: June `93
U.K. & Export (not USA) VIN: P 8001
As Esprit S4 specification with following changes:
- Lightweight body, bonded-in roof, scuttle brace, enlarged wheel housings with wheelarch extensions, '92 style front bumper/spoiler, fog lamp recesses now brake cooling ducts, '92 style rear bumper, valance and sills. New rear aerofoil.
- Reinforced chassis, bolt-in engine bay brace, roll cage mountings.
- 300 bhp engine with T3/T4 turbocharger, increased boost pressure, recalibrated ECM, larger inlet valves and ports, raised fuel pressure, combined chargecooler rad./condenser on non a.c. cars.
- Lotus limited slip differential, uprated clutch cover and flywheel.
- Revised front and rear suspension springs and dampers.
- Larger front and rear brakes, with AP Racing 4-piston calipers and ventilated discs at all four wheels. Separate parking brake calipers.
- 3-piece O.Z. wheels with 245/45 ZR16 (front) and P315/35 ZR17 (rear) Goodyear Eagle GSC tyres.
- Alcantara interior trim, Senotex instrument masks, larger tachometer and electronic speedometer moulded bucket seats, anti-slip pedal pads, individually numbered header rail plaque.
'94 Model Year Introduction: July `93
Esprit S4 (U.K. & Export inc. USA); VIN: R 1090
Sport 300 (U.K. & Export, not USA); VIN: R 8012
U.K. and Export S4 and Sport 300 unchanged. USA S4 introduced with following changes from U.K. /Export spec.:
- Different window lift motors with no 'one touch' or obstruction sensing.
Dual S.I.R. for USA and LHD Export: September '93
Esprit S4 (USA & LHD Export); VIN: R 1163
Introduced as legal requirement for USA cars, and as option in some LHD markets.
S.I.R. equipment as driver only S.I.R. with following changes:
- Passenger side inflator module mounted in place of glovebox.
- Passenger side knee bolster.
- New DERM and dual pole arming sensor.
Revised Wiring Harness: December `93
Esprit S4 LHD; VIN: R 1242
Esprit 54 RHD; VIN: R 1250
Sport 300; VIN: R 8030 As previous with following changes:
- Wiring harnesses rationalised.
- Electrical components resited inc. engine bay components to RHR wheelarch.
- Addition of sensing switches to front bonnet and tailgate for alarm and illumination.
- Addition of front luggage compartment lamp, and 'lights on' buzzer (non-USA).
- New type inertia switch RHF engine bay, and Elan type electric aerial for some markets, LHR quarter.
- New engine coolant header tank, with incorporation of chargecooling system.
Brembo Brakes: June '94
Esprit S4 Non-USA; VIN: R 1443 (+ R 1377) July'94
Esprit S4 USA; VIN: S 1391 June'94
(Not applicable to Sport 300)
Introduction on USA cars coincides with intro, of otherwise unchanged '95 M.Y. USA S4.
Changes include the following:
- Front brakes; four piston calipers and larger discs. Rear brakes; new calipers and larger ventilated discs.
- Rear circuit pressure limiting/proportioning valve deleted.
- Revised front hubs and rear hub carriers.
- 16" spare wheel supplied to clear new brakes.
95 M.Y. S4 & S4S: January '95
S4 (non-USA); VIN: S 2000 (+ 1496)
S4S (USA); VIN: S 3000
S4S (non-USA) VIN: S 4000
As previous with following principal changes:
- Caerbont instruments with 100 mm speedo & tacho, analogue clock. Oil temp. gauge and ice
detection deleted. Footwell lamps added.
- Revised trim stitching. Walnut veneer replaces 'carbon fibre' instrument panel and door finishers.
Sport 300 style seats on non-USA S4S.
- S4S: 285 bhp engine with revised turbo, inlet valves & ECM. Uprated clutch cover.
- Non-USA S4S: Enlarged body wheelhousings, wheelarch spats, Sport 300 rear aerofoil.
- Non-USA S4S: Wider O.Z. Futura 3-piece wheels with Michelin 235/40 ZR17 front & 285/35 ZR1 8 rear tyres. Revised springs & dampers.
- USA S4S: O.Z. Futura 3-piece wheels in unchanged size with unchanged Goodyear tyres.
- Non-USA S4S: Uprated chassis with reinforced backbone & revised rear spring platforms.
Introduction of 'CFC Free' R134a Air Conditioning System: March 1995
S4; VIN: S 2031 (RHD) S 2017 (LHD)
S4S (non-USA); VIN: S 4035 (RHD) S 4006 (LHD)
S4S (USA); VIN: S 3012
Sport 300; VIN: S 8059
Changes include the following:
- New compressor with high pressure relief valve incorporated on rear cover; service Shraeder valves replaced by snap connectors in the suction and disharge hoses.
- Square shaped parallel flow condensers (2 off) mounted side by side and plumbed in parallel.
- New separate chargecooler radiator.
- Receiver-drier with changed molecular sieve material.
- New hoses and pipework for increased permeability gas.
Commonised Undertray: May '95
S4; VIN: S 2034
USA S4S; VIN: S 3095
Body lower moulding commonised with non-USA S4S (enlarged wheelhousings)
'96 M.Y. S4 & non USA S4S: September'95
S4; VIN: T 2044
non-USA S4S; VIN: T 4126 (+ 4096)
Sport 300; VIN: T 8064
Specification unchanged. Note that no '96 M.Y. USA cars were built.
Esprit V8: May '96
Esprit V8; VIN: T 5009
As S4S with following principal changes:
- New Lotus type 918 3.5 litre twin turbo V8 engine. No chargecooling. LotusNertronix engine management.
- Kelsey-Hayes ABS-415 antilock brake system.
- Chassis modifications to accommodate engine and exhaust system.
- Cooling system includes recirculation pump and diverter valve.
- Larger capacity 'pull-type' clutch. Type UN1 027 transmission with higher 5th ratio and reverse gear brake.
- New one piece road wheels and restyled front spoiler.
- New variable displacement a.c. compressor.
Esprit GT3: October '96
Esprit GT3; VIN: 12100 (not USA) Based on S4 model with following changes:
- 2 litre (type 920) 250 bhp engine.
- No back pressure valve or throttle jack.
- No tailgate mounted aerofoil. Swiss type rear transom spoiler lip.
- Single fuel filler on LH side.
- GT3 decals along door bottoms.
- Sport 300 type seats with backs painted body colour.
- Cloth/vinyl interior trim. Senotex instrument masks. Body colour composite gear lever shroud. Aluminium gear lever knob.
- Optional panel lamps rheostat; alarm; door edge, bonnet and footwell lamps; lights on buzzer; one touch windows.
'97 M.Y. Esprit V8 & GT3: May '96
USA V8; VIN: V 5075 (May'96)
Non USA V8; VIN: V 5215 (Oct. '96)
GT3; VIN: V 2111 (Oct. '96) Specification unchanged.
Introduction of V8 Twin Plate Clutch: February '97
Esprit V8; VIN: V 5280
Many cars also retro-fitted.
- New lightweight flywheel, low inertia twin plate clutch assembly, cast iron clutch housing, pedal downstop, re-calibrated ECM.
'98 M.Y. Esprit V8 & GT3: October'97
Esprit V8; VIN: W 5408 plus 5374, 5382, 5385
GT3; VIN: W 2200 plus 2192 As previous with following principal changes:
- Restyled interior with compact instrument binnacle, new centre console and tunnel top.
- Four instrument set, new tell tale clusters, Elise style push switches. Deletion of boost and oil temperature gauges and time clock.
- Cobra 6422 security system with remote operation.
- Revised interior climate control system, with rotary selector switches and electro-pneumatic flap operation. Stepper motor water valve. New face level vents. Separate re-circulation switch.
- New windscreen wiper arm, washer bottle and pump.
- V8: Restyled rear aerofoil mounted on tailgate. Locking gas strut for tailgate.
- V8: New low effort clutch release system with new hydraulic cylinders and rigid pipe. Revised clutch fork and stiffer alloy clutch housing.
- V8: Revised twin cable gearchange mechanism dispenses with translator. Modified transmission selector cross shaft. Adopted on GT3 together with lower final drive and lower 3rd gear in June '98 at VIN W 2272.
- New Kelsey-Hayes EBC 430 anti-lock brakes electro-hydraulic control unit.
- Single fuel filler.
Esprit V8-GT: January '98
Esprit V8-GT; VIN: W 5442
As Esprit V8 with following principal changes:
- No rear aerofoil.
- Long type rear body spoiler.
- Matt vinyl interior trim.
- No a.c. (compressor retained for belt routing).
- V8-GT decal in rear quarter windows.
Esprit Sport 350: October '98
Sport 350; VIN: W 5603
Limited edition of 50. As Esprit V8-GT with following principal changes: (Esprit V8 adopts V8 S.E. moniker to aid identification)
- Lightweight handlay lower body half (except S.I.R. cars).
- Carbon fibre 'GT1' style rear aerofoil with alloy end plates. Sculpted alloy mounting plinths.
- Increased wall thickness chassis tubes around engine bay.
- Re-calibrated ECM with re-profiled boost curves. Blue painted plenum and cam covers.
- Front spoiler extension skirt and rubber lip.
- New Aluminium body colour with 'Sport 350' graphics on doors and sill treadplates. Blue decal tape in sill ducts and radiator air intake. Grilles in front valance coloured titanium.
- Magnesium 'Crono' O.Z. wheels in charcoal, with Pirelli P Zero tyres, marginally wider on rear.
- Larger A.P. Racing discs with curved vanes and cross drilling on both front and rear.
- A.P. Racing 4-pot alloy front calipers, finished in blue with 'Lotus' lettering.
- Seats with increased lateral support on cushion and backrest. Seat facings in blue Alcantara.
- Centre console, instrument binnacle, gear lever tray & lower switch panel in satin finish carbon fibre. HRS switch moved to upper switch row.
- Blue Alcantara door insert panels with body colour feature strips.
- Anodised aluminium instrument mask, gear lever knob & gear lever gaiter ring. Aluminium plaque on windscreen landing with limited edition no. Drilled alloy pads on brake & clutch pedals.
- Monroe N65 dampers and stiffer springs front & rear. Uprated anti-roll bar.
'99 M.Y. Esprit V8 S.E., V8-GT, Sport 350 & GT3: November'98
V8 models; VIN: X 5657
GT3; VIN: X 2287 Non-USA models unchanged. USA only:
- Revised evaporative emission system.
- Anodised aluminium instrument mask, gear lever knob & gear lever gaiter ring.
- Drilled alloy pads on brake & clutch pedals.
'00 M.Y. Non-USA Esprit V8 S.E., V8-GT, Sport 350: October'99
Non-USA; VIN: Y 0001
Non-USA models unchanged.
'00 M.Y. USA Esprit: February '00
VIN character 10 = Y
Changes from '99 M.Y. include:
- A.P. Racing discs, 4-pot alloy front callipers.
- Lotus badge on O.Z. roadwheels.
- 'Lotus' lettering highlighted no intake plenum.
- Onboard refuelling vapour recovery system.
'02 M.Y. Esprit: January'02
VIN: 2 0319.
USA model known as'25th Anniversary Edition' commemorating 25 years of Esprit sales in the USA. Changes from'00 M.Y. include:
- Circular rear lamps on revised transom panel.
- Front spoiler extension and rubber lip (as Sport 350).
- Rectangular reflectors below each end of rear bumper.
- New 'Esprit' (all markets) and '25th Anniversary Edition' (USA only) decals on rear transom,
- Stainless steel sill plates etched with Lotus roundel and 'Esprit' (non-USA) or'25th Anniversary Edition' (USA).
- O.Z. Nova roadwheels with Lotus badge.
- USA only: Twin central tailpipes, perforated stainless steel rear valance
- Fixed rake passenger seat. Non-USA taller head restraints.
- USA only: Fascia mounted '25th Anniversary Edition' serial number plaque.
- U.K. only: Optional satellite navigation.
Final Edition: May '03
USA only; VIN: 3 0543 (continues into '04 M.Y. at 0581) Changes from '02 model include:
- Stiffened Bilstein/Eibach spring/damper units with adjustable platforms.
- 'SmarTire' tyre pressure monitoring.
- Grilles in front spoiler and engine cover are unpainted stainless mesh.
- Stainless rear valance has restyled hole pattern with satin finish.
- Signature plaque on engine intake plenum.
- New seat stitch pattern. Passenger seat recline re-introduced.
- New climate control and gear lever knobs.
Last Esprit produced with VIN; 4 0621. Total Esprit production since 1976 = 10,675
Information source Lotus Service Notes, part number K082T0327J (Individual pages date stamped 1999/01 and 2004/01)
'93 Model Year Introduction: March `93
Esprit S4 (U.K. & Export, not USA); VIN: P 0001 to 0010, 1011 onwards As '92 M.Y. Chargecooler specification with following changes:
- Restyled front bumper and spoiler, bonnet, sills, rear aerofoil, transom spoiler, rear valance.
- Power steering.
- Front suspension geometry altered with provision for camber adjustment.
- Rear suspension camber changed, with provision for adjustment.
- 17 inch Lotus styled 5-spoke alloy wheels, with 215/40 ZR17 (front) and 245/45 ZR17 (rear) Goodyear Eagle GS-A tyres.
- New door window lift mechanism, incorporating 'one touch' and obstruction sensing.
- New door lock mechanism and CDL, with single key operation of vehicle locks.
- Megamoss vehicle alarm includes 'deadlocking' and engine crank immobilisation.
- Restyled interior including; fascia, crash pad and glovebox lid, seat upholstery, instrument layout and carbon fibre look-alike masks, centre console and tunnel trim, door panels, steering wheel.
- Elan type front side/turn lamps, new front fog lamps and interior lamp, electric vacuum pump, tailgate mounted radio aerial.
- Revised 'High Torque' RH shift transmission.
- New wheel changing scissor jack.
Sport 300: June `93
U.K. & Export (not USA) VIN: P 8001
As Esprit S4 specification with following changes:
- Lightweight body, bonded-in roof, scuttle brace, enlarged wheel housings with wheelarch extensions, '92 style front bumper/spoiler, fog lamp recesses now brake cooling ducts, '92 style rear bumper, valance and sills. New rear aerofoil.
- Reinforced chassis, bolt-in engine bay brace, roll cage mountings.
- 300 bhp engine with T3/T4 turbocharger, increased boost pressure, recalibrated ECM, larger inlet valves and ports, raised fuel pressure, combined chargecooler rad./condenser on non a.c. cars.
- Lotus limited slip differential, uprated clutch cover and flywheel.
- Revised front and rear suspension springs and dampers.
- Larger front and rear brakes, with AP Racing 4-piston calipers and ventilated discs at all four wheels. Separate parking brake calipers.
- 3-piece O.Z. wheels with 245/45 ZR16 (front) and P315/35 ZR17 (rear) Goodyear Eagle GSC tyres.
- Alcantara interior trim, Senotex instrument masks, larger tachometer and electronic speedometer moulded bucket seats, anti-slip pedal pads, individually numbered header rail plaque.
'94 Model Year Introduction: July `93
Esprit S4 (U.K. & Export inc. USA); VIN: R 1090
Sport 300 (U.K. & Export, not USA); VIN: R 8012
U.K. and Export S4 and Sport 300 unchanged. USA S4 introduced with following changes from U.K. /Export spec.:
- Different window lift motors with no 'one touch' or obstruction sensing.
Dual S.I.R. for USA and LHD Export: September '93
Esprit S4 (USA & LHD Export); VIN: R 1163
Introduced as legal requirement for USA cars, and as option in some LHD markets.
S.I.R. equipment as driver only S.I.R. with following changes:
- Passenger side inflator module mounted in place of glovebox.
- Passenger side knee bolster.
- New DERM and dual pole arming sensor.
Revised Wiring Harness: December `93
Esprit S4 LHD; VIN: R 1242
Esprit 54 RHD; VIN: R 1250
Sport 300; VIN: R 8030 As previous with following changes:
- Wiring harnesses rationalised.
- Electrical components resited inc. engine bay components to RHR wheelarch.
- Addition of sensing switches to front bonnet and tailgate for alarm and illumination.
- Addition of front luggage compartment lamp, and 'lights on' buzzer (non-USA).
- New type inertia switch RHF engine bay, and Elan type electric aerial for some markets, LHR quarter.
- New engine coolant header tank, with incorporation of chargecooling system.
Brembo Brakes: June '94
Esprit S4 Non-USA; VIN: R 1443 (+ R 1377) July'94
Esprit S4 USA; VIN: S 1391 June'94
(Not applicable to Sport 300)
Introduction on USA cars coincides with intro, of otherwise unchanged '95 M.Y. USA S4.
Changes include the following:
- Front brakes; four piston calipers and larger discs. Rear brakes; new calipers and larger ventilated discs.
- Rear circuit pressure limiting/proportioning valve deleted.
- Revised front hubs and rear hub carriers.
- 16" spare wheel supplied to clear new brakes.
95 M.Y. S4 & S4S: January '95
S4 (non-USA); VIN: S 2000 (+ 1496)
S4S (USA); VIN: S 3000
S4S (non-USA) VIN: S 4000
As previous with following principal changes:
- Caerbont instruments with 100 mm speedo & tacho, analogue clock. Oil temp. gauge and ice
detection deleted. Footwell lamps added.
- Revised trim stitching. Walnut veneer replaces 'carbon fibre' instrument panel and door finishers.
Sport 300 style seats on non-USA S4S.
- S4S: 285 bhp engine with revised turbo, inlet valves & ECM. Uprated clutch cover.
- Non-USA S4S: Enlarged body wheelhousings, wheelarch spats, Sport 300 rear aerofoil.
- Non-USA S4S: Wider O.Z. Futura 3-piece wheels with Michelin 235/40 ZR17 front & 285/35 ZR1 8 rear tyres. Revised springs & dampers.
- USA S4S: O.Z. Futura 3-piece wheels in unchanged size with unchanged Goodyear tyres.
- Non-USA S4S: Uprated chassis with reinforced backbone & revised rear spring platforms.
Introduction of 'CFC Free' R134a Air Conditioning System: March 1995
S4; VIN: S 2031 (RHD) S 2017 (LHD)
S4S (non-USA); VIN: S 4035 (RHD) S 4006 (LHD)
S4S (USA); VIN: S 3012
Sport 300; VIN: S 8059
Changes include the following:
- New compressor with high pressure relief valve incorporated on rear cover; service Shraeder valves replaced by snap connectors in the suction and disharge hoses.
- Square shaped parallel flow condensers (2 off) mounted side by side and plumbed in parallel.
- New separate chargecooler radiator.
- Receiver-drier with changed molecular sieve material.
- New hoses and pipework for increased permeability gas.
Commonised Undertray: May '95
S4; VIN: S 2034
USA S4S; VIN: S 3095
Body lower moulding commonised with non-USA S4S (enlarged wheelhousings)
'96 M.Y. S4 & non USA S4S: September'95
S4; VIN: T 2044
non-USA S4S; VIN: T 4126 (+ 4096)
Sport 300; VIN: T 8064
Specification unchanged. Note that no '96 M.Y. USA cars were built.
Esprit V8: May '96
Esprit V8; VIN: T 5009
As S4S with following principal changes:
- New Lotus type 918 3.5 litre twin turbo V8 engine. No chargecooling. LotusNertronix engine management.
- Kelsey-Hayes ABS-415 antilock brake system.
- Chassis modifications to accommodate engine and exhaust system.
- Cooling system includes recirculation pump and diverter valve.
- Larger capacity 'pull-type' clutch. Type UN1 027 transmission with higher 5th ratio and reverse gear brake.
- New one piece road wheels and restyled front spoiler.
- New variable displacement a.c. compressor.
Esprit GT3: October '96
Esprit GT3; VIN: 12100 (not USA) Based on S4 model with following changes:
- 2 litre (type 920) 250 bhp engine.
- No back pressure valve or throttle jack.
- No tailgate mounted aerofoil. Swiss type rear transom spoiler lip.
- Single fuel filler on LH side.
- GT3 decals along door bottoms.
- Sport 300 type seats with backs painted body colour.
- Cloth/vinyl interior trim. Senotex instrument masks. Body colour composite gear lever shroud. Aluminium gear lever knob.
- Optional panel lamps rheostat; alarm; door edge, bonnet and footwell lamps; lights on buzzer; one touch windows.
'97 M.Y. Esprit V8 & GT3: May '96
USA V8; VIN: V 5075 (May'96)
Non USA V8; VIN: V 5215 (Oct. '96)
GT3; VIN: V 2111 (Oct. '96) Specification unchanged.
Introduction of V8 Twin Plate Clutch: February '97
Esprit V8; VIN: V 5280
Many cars also retro-fitted.
- New lightweight flywheel, low inertia twin plate clutch assembly, cast iron clutch housing, pedal downstop, re-calibrated ECM.
'98 M.Y. Esprit V8 & GT3: October'97
Esprit V8; VIN: W 5408 plus 5374, 5382, 5385
GT3; VIN: W 2200 plus 2192 As previous with following principal changes:
- Restyled interior with compact instrument binnacle, new centre console and tunnel top.
- Four instrument set, new tell tale clusters, Elise style push switches. Deletion of boost and oil temperature gauges and time clock.
- Cobra 6422 security system with remote operation.
- Revised interior climate control system, with rotary selector switches and electro-pneumatic flap operation. Stepper motor water valve. New face level vents. Separate re-circulation switch.
- New windscreen wiper arm, washer bottle and pump.
- V8: Restyled rear aerofoil mounted on tailgate. Locking gas strut for tailgate.
- V8: New low effort clutch release system with new hydraulic cylinders and rigid pipe. Revised clutch fork and stiffer alloy clutch housing.
- V8: Revised twin cable gearchange mechanism dispenses with translator. Modified transmission selector cross shaft. Adopted on GT3 together with lower final drive and lower 3rd gear in June '98 at VIN W 2272.
- New Kelsey-Hayes EBC 430 anti-lock brakes electro-hydraulic control unit.
- Single fuel filler.
Esprit V8-GT: January '98
Esprit V8-GT; VIN: W 5442
As Esprit V8 with following principal changes:
- No rear aerofoil.
- Long type rear body spoiler.
- Matt vinyl interior trim.
- No a.c. (compressor retained for belt routing).
- V8-GT decal in rear quarter windows.
Esprit Sport 350: October '98
Sport 350; VIN: W 5603
Limited edition of 50. As Esprit V8-GT with following principal changes: (Esprit V8 adopts V8 S.E. moniker to aid identification)
- Lightweight handlay lower body half (except S.I.R. cars).
- Carbon fibre 'GT1' style rear aerofoil with alloy end plates. Sculpted alloy mounting plinths.
- Increased wall thickness chassis tubes around engine bay.
- Re-calibrated ECM with re-profiled boost curves. Blue painted plenum and cam covers.
- Front spoiler extension skirt and rubber lip.
- New Aluminium body colour with 'Sport 350' graphics on doors and sill treadplates. Blue decal tape in sill ducts and radiator air intake. Grilles in front valance coloured titanium.
- Magnesium 'Crono' O.Z. wheels in charcoal, with Pirelli P Zero tyres, marginally wider on rear.
- Larger A.P. Racing discs with curved vanes and cross drilling on both front and rear.
- A.P. Racing 4-pot alloy front calipers, finished in blue with 'Lotus' lettering.
- Seats with increased lateral support on cushion and backrest. Seat facings in blue Alcantara.
- Centre console, instrument binnacle, gear lever tray & lower switch panel in satin finish carbon fibre. HRS switch moved to upper switch row.
- Blue Alcantara door insert panels with body colour feature strips.
- Anodised aluminium instrument mask, gear lever knob & gear lever gaiter ring. Aluminium plaque on windscreen landing with limited edition no. Drilled alloy pads on brake & clutch pedals.
- Monroe N65 dampers and stiffer springs front & rear. Uprated anti-roll bar.
'99 M.Y. Esprit V8 S.E., V8-GT, Sport 350 & GT3: November'98
V8 models; VIN: X 5657
GT3; VIN: X 2287 Non-USA models unchanged. USA only:
- Revised evaporative emission system.
- Anodised aluminium instrument mask, gear lever knob & gear lever gaiter ring.
- Drilled alloy pads on brake & clutch pedals.
'00 M.Y. Non-USA Esprit V8 S.E., V8-GT, Sport 350: October'99
Non-USA; VIN: Y 0001
Non-USA models unchanged.
'00 M.Y. USA Esprit: February '00
VIN character 10 = Y
Changes from '99 M.Y. include:
- A.P. Racing discs, 4-pot alloy front callipers.
- Lotus badge on O.Z. roadwheels.
- 'Lotus' lettering highlighted no intake plenum.
- Onboard refuelling vapour recovery system.
'02 M.Y. Esprit: January'02
VIN: 2 0319.
USA model known as'25th Anniversary Edition' commemorating 25 years of Esprit sales in the USA. Changes from'00 M.Y. include:
- Circular rear lamps on revised transom panel.
- Front spoiler extension and rubber lip (as Sport 350).
- Rectangular reflectors below each end of rear bumper.
- New 'Esprit' (all markets) and '25th Anniversary Edition' (USA only) decals on rear transom,
- Stainless steel sill plates etched with Lotus roundel and 'Esprit' (non-USA) or'25th Anniversary Edition' (USA).
- O.Z. Nova roadwheels with Lotus badge.
- USA only: Twin central tailpipes, perforated stainless steel rear valance
- Fixed rake passenger seat. Non-USA taller head restraints.
- USA only: Fascia mounted '25th Anniversary Edition' serial number plaque.
- U.K. only: Optional satellite navigation.
Final Edition: May '03
USA only; VIN: 3 0543 (continues into '04 M.Y. at 0581) Changes from '02 model include:
- Stiffened Bilstein/Eibach spring/damper units with adjustable platforms.
- 'SmarTire' tyre pressure monitoring.
- Grilles in front spoiler and engine cover are unpainted stainless mesh.
- Stainless rear valance has restyled hole pattern with satin finish.
- Signature plaque on engine intake plenum.
- New seat stitch pattern. Passenger seat recline re-introduced.
- New climate control and gear lever knobs.
Last Esprit produced with VIN; 4 0621. Total Esprit production since 1976 = 10,675
Information source Lotus Service Notes, part number K082T0327J (Individual pages date stamped 1999/01 and 2004/01)