The Lotus Esprit, though quietly mentioned in the world of sports cars, is of a storied production run. The Esprit is absolutely beloved and admired by owners and enthusiasts alike given the car’s unique styling and mid-engine layout. Don McLaughlin, Lotus’ public relations manager in 1977, famously placed a badge-less Esprit in front of the James Bond production offices in an effort to lure in executives to use an Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me. Come the release of the film, a Lotus would be seen sprinting up the hills of Sardinia, placing the Esprit within automotive lore.

Over the next 20 years, Lotus would revise and update the Esprit into a formidable performance machine. In 1993, the model received a complete redesign courtesy of Julian Thomson. Among upgrades, such as increased power and the addition of a rear spoiler, the car’s body looked contemporary and finally left the wedge-cut era of design behind. In 1996, the Esprit finally received a well-deserved V-8 engine, followed two years later by a proper host of modifications. First and foremost, the Lotus-developed, flat-plane crank V-8 featured twin Garrett turbochargers along with a revised transmission and new interior. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 now produced 350 hp at 6,250 rpm and 295 foot-pounds of torque at 4,300 rpm. Coupled with decades of legendary Lotus handling characteristics and a top speed of 175 mph, the new Esprit made for a superb driving experience.

This late V8 SE example is in pristine condition and has remained untouched since it was originally delivered in 2000. Sitting on redesigned five-spoke alloy wheels, the car is presented in a spectacular Silver Frost with a virtually brand-new black leather interior. As the top-of-the-line SE model, it was also originally fitted with the large wrap-around rear wing, plush leather interior, as well as air conditioning as standard. However, most notable is the car’s astonishingly low mileage. It is possibly one of the lowest mileage Esprit V8s in existence, showing just 80 original kilometers on the odometer.

Among mid-engined Lotuses, the V8 is one of Lotus’ greatest models since the company’s inception. This particular example is of immaculate originality, virtually untouched for the last 18 years, and is ready to be experienced and enjoyed by a new owner.