The latest evolution of this classic mid-engined performance car, the Lotus Esprit S4, features a stunning, lithe and distinctive exterior, a refreshing new look to the interior, major advances in its suspension dynamics, and a range of other detail improvements.
For the first time in the model's history, power steering is introduced, and will be standard fitment.
The Esprit S4 is available immediately in the UK, and will be launched in European markets at the Geneva Show in March.
The Lotus Esprit S4 brings new levels of refinement to the appearance and road manners of the model, and further extends the potential customer base by building on the customer-led improvements of the car it supersedes.
Many of the changes are subtle but dramatically enhance the character of the car.
For instance, delicate styling work, unusual in that material has mostly been removed rather than added, has redefined the purity, elegance and individuality of the shape.
The addition of power steering has permitted subtle changes to the front suspension geometry, giving more neutral handling balance under all conditions, and higher levels of grip.
Both straight-line stability and turn-in response have also improved.
Other detail but significant improvements include a one-key security and alarm system with immobiliser, new colour-keyed and flush-mounted exterior door handles, new steering column and associated switchgear, one-touch electric windows with safety sensing, a new high-torque gearbox with short-throw precision gearchange, and new unique 17" road wheels (respectively 2" and 1" larger front and rear than the superseded wheel design).
The retail price of the new 264 bhp Esprit S4, fitted as standard with power steering, air conditioning, ABS, leather trim, and anti-theft alarm, is £46,995.00.
BRIEF SPECIFICATIONS REVISIONS
* Restyled exterior and interior *Power steering as standard
*Revised suspension characteristics - more neutral balance
*New larger 17" wheels with unique Goodyear GS-A tyres
*One-key central locking with alarm and immobiliser
*New colour-keyed and flush-mounted exterior door handles
*New steering column and switchgear
*Revised ECM for improved response and driveability
*High torque gearbox with precision gearchange
TEAM COMMENTS
Brian Angus, S4 Project Manager, Lotus Engineering: "We set out to build on the improvements of the `92 Esprit, and to rediscover the purity of the original Esprit both in looks and performance.
The styling and engineering changes have resulted in a car which is responsive yet well-mannered, and satisfying both in motion and standing still. I believe our customers will find it a very rewarding car."
Julian Thomson, Chief Stylist, Lotus Engineering: "The aim for the Esprit S4 body style was not to just change for the sake of it, but to enhance and refine the appearance of an already dramatic and dynamic vehicle.
Traditional facelifts by other car companies tend to add visual body mass.
While making a vehicle appear different, this has the effect of generally fattening and distorting a basic shape to make the vehicle visually larger and less harmonious.
Russell Carr's exterior styling package for the Esprit S4 actually removes material overall, with the new panels making the car leaner and more elegant than before.
With the unique new 17" wheels all round, the car sits on the road more purposefully and with an increased dynamic character.
The redesigned front incorporates the `face' and character of the original Elan and re-introduces the Lotus corporate front end design.
Several subtle changes have been made to areas such as the `A' pillar, engine vents and bonnet to improve the detailing and add to the overall increased quality and integrity of design.
The interior changes, designed by David Brisbourne, reflect the new exterior style of the vehicle, improving the overall quality and elegance, and building on the packaging improvements of the `92 model.
All interior hardware has been upgraded to be more efficient and pleasing to use, and the new trim style has a contemporary unitary quality, whilst retaining the individuality of handbuild.
The composite-style panels reflect an image of high tech and elegance, moving away from the traditional and somewhat staid image of wood. I believe we have achieved a refreshing package for the Esprit S4."
Roger Becker, Associate Director, Vehicle Engineering "I wanted to emphasise the Esprit's purity of response yet eliminate any nervousness. We've worked hard over the last few years to advance our understanding of chassis dynamics for road and race purposes, and have distilled our experience into this package.
We've employed the Lotus/Saginaw power-steering system (which has been under development for almost two years) to balance the increased response from the new Goodyear Eagle GS-A tyres with revised suspension geometry to provide more precise handling and steering feel.
The driver has as a result, more control of the car with reduced effort for maximum performance, enjoyment and security."
David Prescott, Sales and Marketing Director, Lotus Cars Ltd "The Esprit S4 is our view of the true performance car for the '90's - stunning yet efficient performance, with responsive yet well-mannered handling.
The S4 will appeal to an ever-wider range of discerning drivers who take pleasure in their motoring, and expect quality and reliability.
We will manufacture only three hundred Esprit S4s in 1994 for all markets, with a further fifty "Sport 300" variants.
I believe that we will experience strong demand, well in excess of supply, as the markets climb slowly out of recession. However, by keeping production at this level, we will ensure that our customers receive a bespoke service with the highest levels of customer care."
ESPRIT S4
The 264 bhp 2.2 litre chargecooled engine is fitted for all European markets except Italy, Greece and Portugal, where the 2.0 litre chargecooled unit is employed.
STANDARD FEATURES:
Power steering
ABS brakes
Full leather interior
Anti-theft alarm/immobiliser
Lift-out roof panel (optional glass or composite)
Air conditioning
OPTIONS:
Metallic paint - to customer choice from DuPont range
Radio Cassette Player
Radio Cassette and CD Autochanger
EXTERIOR STYLING:
New front bumper and valance with new ducts and grilles for radiator and oil cooler and flexible polyurethane front lip spoiler
"Letterbox" front side/indicator lamps, new side indicator repeaters, and new foglamps incorporated in front valance air intakes
Bonnet reshaped at rear with matt-black anti-glare panel
New door outers with flush body-colour door handles
New sills with revised air inlet ducts
New capping rails
New roof-mounted antenna
Revised air intake scoops behind rear three-quarter light
New rear wing attached directly to tailgate
New rear body transom "dovetail" spoiler
New exhaust tailpipe finisher
"Esprit S4" logo applied to rear three-quarter windows
CHASSIS DYNAMICS:
Chassis modified for PAS, with reinforced front spring towers
New Lotus/Saginaw power steering system with constant ratio
Revised front suspension with new geometry, adjustable caster and camber, new springs, anti-roll bar, dampers
Revised rear springs and dampers
Wheels: New Lotus-designed 5-spoke alloy 17" rim
Tyres: Unique Goodyear Eagle GSA asymmetric
Front: 215/40 x 17" on 7J rims Rear: 245/45 x 17" on 8.5J rims
POWERTRAIN:
All-new castings for engine block head and sump, interchangeable with previous units, for additional stiffness and coolant capacity
New high-torque version of gearbox, with short-shift precision gearchange
Remapped engine management calibration for improved response and driveability (specified for 2.2 litre engine only)
INTERIOR TRIM:
New body-colour door inners, and full leather trim panels with inset composite-finish trim piece and graphite kickplate
New interior door pull and release handle
Restyled seats in Connolly leather with lumbar support
Fascia with padded crash pad and glovebox lid with new locking latch
Restyled instrument binnacle with new instrument masks, incorporating face-level air vents
New centre console cubby box with cigar lighter
New cloth-trimmed cant rails accommodating alarm sensors
New interior/map lights in windscreenheader rail
SECURITY:
Modified side-intrusion beams
Deadlocking on both doors
Alarm with immobiliser
Central locking system with single key for locks and ignition
New window lift mechanism, motor and switches (relocated to centre console), with one touch operation and safety back-off feature
Note: All Lotus models have been fitted with side-intrusion door beams for over eighteen years - a safety feature designed by Colin Chapman
DRIVER CONTROLS:
New Steering column and "column stalk" switchgear
New leather-trimmed Nardi "Monza" steering wheel
New ignition lock
ANCILLARY ITEMS:
Improved design tailgate latches
Non-locking tailgate struts
Insulated boot floor and venting to luggage compartment
New lightweight jack
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 2438.0mm Front track: 1528.6mm Rear track: 1544.3mm
Length: 4369.1mm
Width: 1866.8mm
Height: 1149.5mm
For the first time in the model's history, power steering is introduced, and will be standard fitment.
The Esprit S4 is available immediately in the UK, and will be launched in European markets at the Geneva Show in March.
The Lotus Esprit S4 brings new levels of refinement to the appearance and road manners of the model, and further extends the potential customer base by building on the customer-led improvements of the car it supersedes.
Many of the changes are subtle but dramatically enhance the character of the car.
For instance, delicate styling work, unusual in that material has mostly been removed rather than added, has redefined the purity, elegance and individuality of the shape.
The addition of power steering has permitted subtle changes to the front suspension geometry, giving more neutral handling balance under all conditions, and higher levels of grip.
Both straight-line stability and turn-in response have also improved.
Other detail but significant improvements include a one-key security and alarm system with immobiliser, new colour-keyed and flush-mounted exterior door handles, new steering column and associated switchgear, one-touch electric windows with safety sensing, a new high-torque gearbox with short-throw precision gearchange, and new unique 17" road wheels (respectively 2" and 1" larger front and rear than the superseded wheel design).
The retail price of the new 264 bhp Esprit S4, fitted as standard with power steering, air conditioning, ABS, leather trim, and anti-theft alarm, is £46,995.00.
BRIEF SPECIFICATIONS REVISIONS
* Restyled exterior and interior *Power steering as standard
*Revised suspension characteristics - more neutral balance
*New larger 17" wheels with unique Goodyear GS-A tyres
*One-key central locking with alarm and immobiliser
*New colour-keyed and flush-mounted exterior door handles
*New steering column and switchgear
*Revised ECM for improved response and driveability
*High torque gearbox with precision gearchange
TEAM COMMENTS
Brian Angus, S4 Project Manager, Lotus Engineering: "We set out to build on the improvements of the `92 Esprit, and to rediscover the purity of the original Esprit both in looks and performance.
The styling and engineering changes have resulted in a car which is responsive yet well-mannered, and satisfying both in motion and standing still. I believe our customers will find it a very rewarding car."
Julian Thomson, Chief Stylist, Lotus Engineering: "The aim for the Esprit S4 body style was not to just change for the sake of it, but to enhance and refine the appearance of an already dramatic and dynamic vehicle.
Traditional facelifts by other car companies tend to add visual body mass.
While making a vehicle appear different, this has the effect of generally fattening and distorting a basic shape to make the vehicle visually larger and less harmonious.
Russell Carr's exterior styling package for the Esprit S4 actually removes material overall, with the new panels making the car leaner and more elegant than before.
With the unique new 17" wheels all round, the car sits on the road more purposefully and with an increased dynamic character.
The redesigned front incorporates the `face' and character of the original Elan and re-introduces the Lotus corporate front end design.
Several subtle changes have been made to areas such as the `A' pillar, engine vents and bonnet to improve the detailing and add to the overall increased quality and integrity of design.
The interior changes, designed by David Brisbourne, reflect the new exterior style of the vehicle, improving the overall quality and elegance, and building on the packaging improvements of the `92 model.
All interior hardware has been upgraded to be more efficient and pleasing to use, and the new trim style has a contemporary unitary quality, whilst retaining the individuality of handbuild.
The composite-style panels reflect an image of high tech and elegance, moving away from the traditional and somewhat staid image of wood. I believe we have achieved a refreshing package for the Esprit S4."
Roger Becker, Associate Director, Vehicle Engineering "I wanted to emphasise the Esprit's purity of response yet eliminate any nervousness. We've worked hard over the last few years to advance our understanding of chassis dynamics for road and race purposes, and have distilled our experience into this package.
We've employed the Lotus/Saginaw power-steering system (which has been under development for almost two years) to balance the increased response from the new Goodyear Eagle GS-A tyres with revised suspension geometry to provide more precise handling and steering feel.
The driver has as a result, more control of the car with reduced effort for maximum performance, enjoyment and security."
David Prescott, Sales and Marketing Director, Lotus Cars Ltd "The Esprit S4 is our view of the true performance car for the '90's - stunning yet efficient performance, with responsive yet well-mannered handling.
The S4 will appeal to an ever-wider range of discerning drivers who take pleasure in their motoring, and expect quality and reliability.
We will manufacture only three hundred Esprit S4s in 1994 for all markets, with a further fifty "Sport 300" variants.
I believe that we will experience strong demand, well in excess of supply, as the markets climb slowly out of recession. However, by keeping production at this level, we will ensure that our customers receive a bespoke service with the highest levels of customer care."
ESPRIT S4
The 264 bhp 2.2 litre chargecooled engine is fitted for all European markets except Italy, Greece and Portugal, where the 2.0 litre chargecooled unit is employed.
STANDARD FEATURES:
Power steering
ABS brakes
Full leather interior
Anti-theft alarm/immobiliser
Lift-out roof panel (optional glass or composite)
Air conditioning
OPTIONS:
Metallic paint - to customer choice from DuPont range
Radio Cassette Player
Radio Cassette and CD Autochanger
EXTERIOR STYLING:
New front bumper and valance with new ducts and grilles for radiator and oil cooler and flexible polyurethane front lip spoiler
"Letterbox" front side/indicator lamps, new side indicator repeaters, and new foglamps incorporated in front valance air intakes
Bonnet reshaped at rear with matt-black anti-glare panel
New door outers with flush body-colour door handles
New sills with revised air inlet ducts
New capping rails
New roof-mounted antenna
Revised air intake scoops behind rear three-quarter light
New rear wing attached directly to tailgate
New rear body transom "dovetail" spoiler
New exhaust tailpipe finisher
"Esprit S4" logo applied to rear three-quarter windows
CHASSIS DYNAMICS:
Chassis modified for PAS, with reinforced front spring towers
New Lotus/Saginaw power steering system with constant ratio
Revised front suspension with new geometry, adjustable caster and camber, new springs, anti-roll bar, dampers
Revised rear springs and dampers
Wheels: New Lotus-designed 5-spoke alloy 17" rim
Tyres: Unique Goodyear Eagle GSA asymmetric
Front: 215/40 x 17" on 7J rims Rear: 245/45 x 17" on 8.5J rims
POWERTRAIN:
All-new castings for engine block head and sump, interchangeable with previous units, for additional stiffness and coolant capacity
New high-torque version of gearbox, with short-shift precision gearchange
Remapped engine management calibration for improved response and driveability (specified for 2.2 litre engine only)
INTERIOR TRIM:
New body-colour door inners, and full leather trim panels with inset composite-finish trim piece and graphite kickplate
New interior door pull and release handle
Restyled seats in Connolly leather with lumbar support
Fascia with padded crash pad and glovebox lid with new locking latch
Restyled instrument binnacle with new instrument masks, incorporating face-level air vents
New centre console cubby box with cigar lighter
New cloth-trimmed cant rails accommodating alarm sensors
New interior/map lights in windscreenheader rail
SECURITY:
Modified side-intrusion beams
Deadlocking on both doors
Alarm with immobiliser
Central locking system with single key for locks and ignition
New window lift mechanism, motor and switches (relocated to centre console), with one touch operation and safety back-off feature
Note: All Lotus models have been fitted with side-intrusion door beams for over eighteen years - a safety feature designed by Colin Chapman
DRIVER CONTROLS:
New Steering column and "column stalk" switchgear
New leather-trimmed Nardi "Monza" steering wheel
New ignition lock
ANCILLARY ITEMS:
Improved design tailgate latches
Non-locking tailgate struts
Insulated boot floor and venting to luggage compartment
New lightweight jack
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 2438.0mm Front track: 1528.6mm Rear track: 1544.3mm
Length: 4369.1mm
Width: 1866.8mm
Height: 1149.5mm