When the Lotus Esprit entered production in 1976, its dramatic wedge shape—draped in Giorgetto Giugiaro-penned “folded paper” styling—was a radical departure from the quirky Europa that it replaced, giving the British sports car manufacturer a welcome exotic edge. The Esprit proved so successful and popular that it was still in production over two decades after its introduction, though it benefited from numerous styling and engineering enhancements over the years.

The Esprit’s edges were softened by new bodywork penned by Julian Thompson for the introduction of the Series 4 in 1994. However, the ante was upped further in 1996 with the introduction of the new V8 model. Mounted behind the driver in a midship position was a Lotus-developed Type 918 twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-8 engine—a motor that, with an output of 350 horsepower, answered any concerns drivers may have had about the comparatively underpowered early Esprits. This was mated to a five-speed manual transaxle; in skilled hands, a 4.4-second 0 to 60 mph sprint was achievable, along with a 175-mph top speed. In typical Lotus fashion, this was a car that punched well above its weight.

The dashing example on offer is a 2000 Lotus Esprit V8 finished in Azure Blue Metallic over a Magnolia leather interior with blue piping and Beach (honey) carpets. According to the Certificate of Vehicle Provenance on file, just eight Esprits were finished with this color combination for North America in the year 2000. Further aiding this car’s desirability, all V8s received AP Racing brakes with aluminum four-piston calipers for the new millennium, increasing the performance potential of the already-impressive sports car. An optional glass roof panel completes the wonderful specification of this Lotus.

Originally delivered new to an individual in North Barrington, Illinois, through Fox Valley Motorcars, the Lotus would remain with its original owner until the selling dealer re-acquired the car in 2019. Not long after, the vehicle received a belt, cooling system, and air conditioning service as shown on an invoice dated to August 2019. In 2021, a set of Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires were additionally purchased for the car. In preparation for the sale, the engine received fresh oil and a new filter along with a repair to a minor coolant leak. Lastly, an older invoice from 2002 confirms a limited-slip differential was installed and the seller confirms the engine now breathes through a K&N air filter and an aftermarket muffler.

A superlative Esprit, this Lotus is accompanied by a window sticker, provenance certificate, a Bill of Sale from 2000, service invoices, owner’s books, and the stock muffler. With fewer than 5,765 miles showing on the odometer at the time of cataloguing, this Lotus Esprit V8 certainly belongs to a select group of immensely well-preserved and sought-after examples.