Lotus Esprit Could Have Had Corvette’s LT5 V8 in the ’90s
Imagine a Lotus Esprit with the power of a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1’s mighty LT5 V8. This wasn't just a dream, but almost reality back in the early '90s.Key TakeawaysThe Lotus Esprit Turbo SE could have been powered by Corvette's 375-horsepower LT5 V8 engine.If it had happened, this combo would've made the car a serious contender in its class.This hypothetical scenario showcases what might've been if GM hadn't nixed the Lotus Etna project.Back then, rumors circulated that Lotus was considering stuffing the LT5 V8 into their Esprit Turbo SE. The SE produced 264 horsepower and weighed around 2,900 pounds, hitting 60 mph in just under five seconds. Imagine what an extra hundred horses could've done!The Corvette ZR-1’s LT5 engine was a beast of its time: it churned out 375 hp and 370 lb-ft of t...