1990 Lotus Esprit Se Turbo * Rare With Low Miles * White 5 Speed 2.2l Xtra Clean on 2040-cars

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Lotus spotted testing more extreme Elise on the Nordschleife

If we had a nickel for every version of the Elise that Lotus has rolled out over the years, we might actually have enough spare change to buy one ourselves. And we're not even talking about the entire separate models (like the Exige and Europa) that Lotus has based on the Elise's platform or the other automakers' cars (like the Tesla Roadster and Hennessey Venom GT) that have used the same. And now Lotus appears to be testing another one.
Spotted lapping the Nürburgring, what we're looking at here appears to be the track-bound Elise S Cup R, but our intrepid paparazzi by the side of the track tell us it's missing the switches for the battery isolator and fire extinguisher. In their place, this Elise is wearing an even bigger rear wing as part of an altogether rather aggressive aero kit - not to mention a rockin' matte red wrap.
All of these telltales make us think Lotus has something extreme in the works, and we could find out what exactly it is as early as the Paris Motor Show in October, so stay tuned and watch this space.

A restored Lotus Esprit adds lightness on Petrolicious

Spencer Canon believes the Lotus Esprit is a misunderstood sports car. The wedge-shaped exotics' reputation suggests they are incredibly temperamental, which means lots of expensive repairs. Canon sought to make sure his Lotus didn't suffer from such maladies, which was achieved thanks to a rebuild from a bare shell. The result of his hard work exudes 1980s style with some modern flair and even inspires Canon's career creating bicycles. The Lotus was a wreck when Canon bought it, and he spent months just stripping off the old paint. The car's condition prevented a complete restoration to original spec, so Canon decided to improve the coupe. He modified it in simple ways, such as replacing the power windows with simple pull straps. He also took inspiration from the color scheme on his company's bikes and painted the Lotus blue with a lighter stripe diagonally along the side. The completed sports car angers some purists for not being entirely authentic, but it's hard to argue with the results. Plus, Canon's happy, and nothing else really matters. Canon's Lotus has a rousing exhaust burble once he gets out of the city and out onto the open road. Take a ride with him in the latest video from Petrolicious to hear it yourself and to get a better understanding about the Esprit. Related Video:

Lotus introduces Certificate of Provenance program

Lotus is diving into its vast archives to make it easier for owners to trace their car's history. It launched a global program called Certificate of Provenance that provides historical information about a specific car. Available through authorized Lotus dealers, the Certificate of Provenance includes details like the car's VIN and its original color. It also notes the date the car rolled off the assembly line in Hethel, England, and the date it entered the company's dealer network. Key specifications, including the engine, the transmission, and the extra-cost options the original owner ordered, are printed on a personalized Build Specification Letter. Owners who order the certificate will also receive a letter from Lotus CEO Phil Popham in which he pledged to explain the changes going on at the company, and how it's preparing for the future. Summing up the situation in a letter will likely be easier said than done, because Lotus (which is now controlled by Geely) is undergoing a complete transformation that includes a major product expansion and a renewed focus on the American market. It called the Evija, its first electric model, a trailblazer whose technology will permeate other battery-powered cars.   Related: Geely, with Volvo's help, plans to grow into a global auto giant   In addition to the aforementioned documents, enthusiasts who order a Certificate of Provenance will also receive an aluminum plaque engraved with the owner's name, a leather keychain, a carbon fiber bookmark, and a Lotus pen. Pricing starts at GBP170 plus the cost of shipping in the United Kingdom, a sum that represents about $225. And any Lotus owner can order it regardless of whether they own a 1959 Elite or a 2020 Evora GT. The first car certified by Lotus is a 1981 Esprit Turbo (pictured) that stands out as the last company car ordered by company founder Colin Chapman. Wearing registration number UVF 464X, it remained in Chapman's possession until his death in 1982, and it was sold to a private buyer the following year. Lotus recently purchased it with 11,000 miles on its odometer, and it plans to restore it before adding it to its heritage collection. Chapman didn't settle for a regular-production Esprit Turbo. He ordered his car with power steering (which wasn't available on the Esprit at the time), a lowered suspension, and modified brakes. He also ordered BBS wheels. Related Video: