Released as the successor to the hugely popular Lotus Elan, the Esprit was unveiled to the world at the Paris Motor Show in 1975, and didn’t cease production until 2003, with 10,500 units produced and rightfully gaining a loyal following along the way.

While the last-of-the-line examples look undeniably progressed compared to the original S1, the Giorgetto Giugiaro-based design clearly flows through all four Series of Esprits.

The vast majority of Esprit were fitted with four-cylinder engines, both naturally aspirated and turbocharged, in 2.0 or 2.2-litre capacities but, from 1996, the in-house, Lotus-built twin-turbo V8 was finally ready to be ordered by those brave enough.

This remarkable Type 918 V8 was an all-aluminium, 90° DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder engine with two Garrett turbochargers, built to produce around 500bhp but detuned to 350bhp in the interest of durability and reliability.

Standing at just 1.12 metres (44.1in) high, the Esprit's low-slung, rakish aesthetic emanat...