The original Lotus Elan from the 1960s is back. This time around though it’s powered by a 331kW 4.0-litre V6 capable of catapulting the British racer from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds. We are talking Ferrari and Lamborghini performance figures here!
Lotus says the Elan is more than just another fast Lotus, it’s practical too. Available as a 2+2 variant, the Elan is built so that it can be the primary car of its owner.
Expected for release in the later part of 2013, the model is still a few years away, nonetheless, with such impressive performance figures its hard not to get excited. Powered via the rear-wheels, the Elan pushes its power through a seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission.
Lotus says the Elan is built to resemble an elite athlete, thanks to its muscular physique and prominent poise. Given Lotus’ emphasis on future planning, the Elan, like the rest of the new Lotus range, will be available with optional hybrid technology (KERS).
“If there was ever a car to make you drive the long way home, it’s the Elan. Perfect for both road and track, the Elan not only ticks all the boxes, it creates new ones too. The Elan will convert people to Lotus, I would challenge people not to become addicted to driving it. It will also go a long way towards dispelling the old misconceptions about this class, that in order to have high performance you must sacrifice usability – those days are gone.” Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus.
2013 Lotus Elan Specifications
- Layout 2 seater (optional 2+2), mid-engined, rear wheel drive
- Engine Petrol, hybrid optional
- Hybrid technology Optional KERS
- Cylinder V6
- Capacity 4.0 litre
- Power 331 kW
- Torque 465 Nm
- Rev limit 7,800 rpm
- 0-100 km/h 3.5 seconds
- Top speed 310 km/h
- CO2 approx (CO2/km) 199 g/km**
- Weight 1,295 kg
- Seats 2
- Transmission 7 Speed DCT
- Drive RWD
- Start of production Summer 2013
- Enters the market Autumn 2013
- Price indication Circa £75,000 ($123,000)