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1991 Lotus Esprit X180R

In 1990 Lotus needed a race program to promote the Esprit in the US market. To do this they upgraded an Esprit SE to race in the SCCA series. The new car, strictly race prepared, was called the Type 105

Externally, the car featured plexiglass windows with newly designed rear wings and front spoilers. Mechanically, the car had new AP Racing disc brakes, new suspension geometry and new engine management. The car produced 285 horsepower from the Lotus 910S power plant. Such horsepower was realized thanks to the use of Lotus/Omega fuel injection.

The type 105 SCCA car encouraged Lotus to make a new road-going Supercar. Thus the X180R was born. It was based on the the Type 105 having 285 hp. Twenty of these replicas were produced and sold as race-ready, road-going cars. They had air conditioning, dual sports seats and chassis galvanising (which was missing on the racecars).

Related: Lotus Race Car List / Lotus Current Lineup / All Lotus Models / Lotus News

1991 Lotus Esprit X180R

In 1991, Lotus made three racecars to enter the SCCA World Challenge. These cars benefited heavily from the 1990 race season. These cars adopted the road-going name X180R despite changing to the Type 106 designation.

The 1991 X190R featured more horsepower, larger wheels and a revised roll-cage. The cage helped the car achieve a twenty percent increase in torsional rigidity. It did this by absorbing some of the front and rear loads.

The high state of tune allowed the engine to produce over 300 horsepower. Such power was realized by utilizing larger fuel injectors, enhanced charge-cooling and a non-catalyst exhaust system.

With all the modifications combined, the X190Rhad 36 more horsepower and was 300 lbs lighter than the Esprit SE.

The racing season for the X190R lasted three years. From 1991 to 1993 the car was raced with Doc Bundy taking a class championship win in 1992.

1991 Lotus Esprit X180R

Specs & Performance

submitted by Richard Owen
engine 910S Inline-4
position Midship
aspiration Garrett TB03 Turbochargers
valvetrain DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl
displacement 2174 cc / 132.7 in³
bore 95.3 mm / 3.75 in
stroke 72.4 mm / 2.85 in
power 223.7 kw / 300 bhp @ 6800 rpm
specific output 137.99 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 290.7 bhp per tonne
torque 420.3 nm / 310.0 ft lbs @ 4800 rpm
body / frame GRP Plastic over Steel Backbone
driven wheels RWD
front tires 245-14×16
rear tires 315-40×17
front brakes AP Vented Discs w/4-Pot Calipers
f brake size x 330 mm / x 13.0 in
rear brakes AP Vented Discs w/4-Pot Calipers
r brake size x 279 mm / x 11.0 in
front wheels F 40.6 x 21.6 cm / 16.0 x 8.5 in
rear wheels R 43.2 x 26.7 cm / 17.0 x 10.5 in
steering Unassited Rack & Pinion
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Munroe Dampers
r suspension Half Shafts w/Lower Wishbones, Transverse Link, Coil Springs, Munroe Dampers
curb weight 1032 kg / 2275 lbs
wheelbase 2438 mm / 96.0 in
front track 1537 mm / 60.5 in
rear track 1575 mm / 62.0 in
length 4267 mm / 168.0 in
width 1905 mm / 75.0 in
height 1854 mm / 73.0 in
gear ratios :1
0 – 60 mph ~4.1 seconds
0 – 100 mph ~11.0 seconds