Pitstop from 1 to 31 October: 50 Years of the Lotus Esprit
50 Years of the Lotus Esprit. Two icons. One unique occasion.
In our Pitstop from 1 to 31 October: the very first and the very last Esprit. From Giugiaro’s revolutionary lines to the raw power of the twin-turbo V8. A British sports car legend that challenged Ferrari fifty years ago and has since become an icon of design and engineering.
Attend the lecture on Sunday, 5 October at 11:00.
In October 1975, Lotus launched its new flagship model, the Esprit. The sports coupé remained in continuous production for no less than 28 years, albeit in different versions and variants. The Louwman Museum celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of this iconic British sports car by showcasing the very first and very last Esprit side by side in the Great Hall from 1 to 31 October 2025.
The Esprit was Lotus’ answer to Ferrari. The British had already taken on the Italian team in Formula 1, but on public roads the two played in different leagues. That changed in 1975 when Lotus founder Colin Chapman introduced the Esprit, designed by Giugiaro. The sports car appeared in several “series” with different engines and body trims, but always with its characteristic lines.
The fiftieth anniversary of the first Esprit is not the only reason to highlight the car. The distinctive coupé deserves the spotlight in its own right. During the exhibition, Lotus Esprit collector and expert Bauke Beuner will give a special lecture for true enthusiasts. In this high-quality presentation, visitors will hear the remarkable story of the British sports car. Afterwards, Bauke will offer dedicated Esprit fans the opportunity to ask technical questions.
Lotus Esprit S1.
1. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro with his famous wedge shape.
2. Known as the Bond car in The Spy Who Loved Me.
3. Lightweight construction and pure driving pleasure, true to Colin Chapman’s philosophy.
Lotus Esprit Final Edition.
1. The final chapter of nearly thirty years of continuous production.
2. Equipped with a powerful twin-turbo V8 and modern engineering.
3. Rare and exclusive, a fitting finale to the Esprit line.