{"id":355697,"date":"2016-12-20T02:20:03","date_gmt":"2016-12-20T02:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/?p=355697"},"modified":"2024-03-28T23:30:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T23:30:43","slug":"lotus-esprit-s2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/lotus-esprit-s2-2\/","title":{"rendered":"1980-1981 Lotus Esprit S2.2"},"content":{"rendered":"

1980-1981 Lotus Esprit S2.2<\/h2>\n

Years: <\/strong>1980-1981
\nNames: <\/strong>Series 2.2 \/ <\/strong>S2.2 \/ Type 79
\nUnits<\/strong>:<\/strong> 88
\nEngine:<\/strong> 2,174 cc inline 4
\nPower:<\/strong> 160 bhp
\nTorque:<\/strong> 160 lb\/ft
\n0-60 mph:<\/strong> 6.7 secs<\/p>\n

The S2.2 was a stop-gap model introduced in May 1980 whose only major difference from the S2 was a 2.2 L type 912 engine. Engine power output was unchanged but torque rose from 140 lb\/ft to 160 lb\/ft. The S2.2 received a galvanised chassis. It was rare with only 88 units made.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The lowest production catalogue model, an S2.2 not only has a rarity value but also a historical one. It marks the introduction of the vastly improved 2.2-litre Lotus engine. Compared to the S1\/S2, the biggest apparent gains should be at the wheel, where the extra flexibility makes the car a lot friendlier in urban and suburban conditions. There is also a significant gain in fuel consumption. Performance was better. More realistic Lotus claims indicate 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds and an 80-100 mph time in fifth gear that was effectively halved.<\/p>\n

A distinct one-year-and-one-month production stopgap, the Lotus Esprit S2.2 brought some important changes to Esprit engineering; changes that have been kept in the nineties: 2.2-litre Lotus engines and chassis galvanization. Both these improvements were sold under the slogan ‘When you arrive in a Lotus \u2014 you’ve arrived!’ The launch cost during May 1980 was \u00a314,951. The last recorded list price (in 1981) was \u00a315,270. That was in line with the normal Lotus practice of pitching their Esprit wares in the price region of the classic Porsche 911.<\/p>\n

Introduction as the ‘Lotus 2.2-litre series’ the larger engine was installed for the front-engine Eclat, and Elite, as well as the Esprit S2.2. Individually badged as ‘Esprit 2.2′, but dressed in pure S2 clothing \u2014 right down to the Dunlop-shod Speedlines \u2014 the interim Esprit carried Lotus between the seventies’ generation of Esprits and the new generation of Turbo and S3 models in the eighties.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong>Esprit Ultimate Guide<\/strong><\/a> \/ Current <\/a>Lineup<\/a> \/ Lotus Models<\/a> \/ Lotus News<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Inherent changes in transforming a 2.0-litre type 907 found in the S1\/S2 into a 2.2-litre type 912 included:<\/p>\n