Lotus has just released the full images and details of the Lotus Elite - their latest supercar which will be unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The Lotus Elite hides under its hood a monster 5.0 liter V8 engine developing...wait for it... 620 PS and 720 Nm of torque. The rev limiter of the Lotus Elite is set at 8,500 rpm! The manufacturer says the new Lotus Elite is able to rocket from 0 to 100 km/h in between 3.5 to 3.7 seconds and that it has a top speed of 315 km/h.
Although having supercar level of power and performance, the Lotus Elite has a 2+2 seating configuration, so you'll be able to take your friends for the ride of their life. The Lotus Elite is rear wheel drive and weighs 1,650 kg.
The fuel consumption of the new Lotus Elite has not been announced yet, but the company does mention it has a 215 g/km CO2 emissions level.
The Lotus Elite measures 4.60m in length, 1.90m in width and 1.32m in height and has a front-mid-engine architecture.
The engine of the Lotus Elite is actually a petrol with an optional hybrid coupled with a
Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS.
The Lotus Elite price is set at around 115,000 GBP and the new supercar will enter production in 2014 and the first deliveries will begin in the spring of 2014.
Lotus Press Release:
Ten days ahead of the official unveil at the Paris Motor Show the sun starts to rise for the dawn of Lotus’ new era - the Lotus Elite will redefine “modern classic".
So here it is, the Lotus Elite, the first taste of what’s to come from Lotus in the future. Look up elegant in the dictionary and you’ll find variations on the following 1. dignified grace in appearance, movement, or behaviour, 2. superb taste in design, style and 3. something elegant; the ultimate refinement.
The ground-breaking new Lotus Elite is exactly that. It’s compact yet chic body is elegance incarnate. It’s not only exquisitely elegant, in keeping with Lotus’ core values, it’s a car of substance
incorporating some of the very latest technological innovations Lotus has to offer. The slick retractable hard top version and the optional use of hybrid technology with KERS are typical examples of Lotus tailoring technology to deliver perfect performance.
Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus said: “There’s no denying that the Lotus Elite is breathtakingly beautiful to look at but it’s so much more than that, it’s a car that over delivers in all other aspects as well. One could say it’s a car of perfect contradictions, it’s compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, lightweight yet still reassuringly solid. It’s a car that we are exceptionally proud of at Lotus and we truly believe that there is nothing else
2014 Lotus Elite video:
like it out there both in terms of styling and performance.
“Make no mistake, there’s a definite market requirement for the Lotus Elite – it’s the ultimate sports car feel with comfort and space. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn’t take the decision to design something like the Lotus Elite lightly, it’s based on months of careful research and planning. It’s worth noting this sector has been very successful for us in the past and now the Lotus Elite raises the benchmark higher still.”
Set for release in spring 2014, this is an innovative, exciting GT that will set a new benchmark in design, performance and emissions. And it’s not all about sleek lines and stunning bodywork with this particular 2+2, what hides beneath this shark like exterior perfectly does the aesthetics justice. A front-mid positioned 5.0l V8 engine delivering up to 620 PS meaning drivers can expect to go from 0-100 km/h in approximately 3.5 to 3.7 seconds.
Lotus Elite Specification*
Layout: 2+2 seater, front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive
Dimensions:
Length: 4.60m
Width: 1.90m
Height: 1.32m
Engine: Petrol, hybrid optional
Hybrid technology: Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric
motors and KERS
Cylinder: V8
Capacity: 5.0 litre
Power/Torque: 620 PS / 720 Nm
Rev limit: 8,500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 3.5 to 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 315 km/h
CO₂ approx (CO₂/km): 215 g/km**
Weight: 1,650 kg
Seats: 2+2
Transmission: Full Hybrid transmission
Drive: RWD
Start of production: Early 2014
Enters the market: Spring 2014
Price indication: Circa £115,000
* Whilst the vehicle shown in this release is a Production Intent Prototype, it represents a concept vehicle being designed and developed by Lotus Cars. Lotus Cars reserves the right to change the external and internal design of the Production Intent Prototypes, the specification, performance, dimensions, weight, fuel consumption, powertrain details and any other product information at anytime and without notice for any reason whatsoever.
Details of performance, weight, fuel consumption and other production information relating to the Production Intent Prototypes are not official or proven figures and represent the intended performance, weight, fuel consumption and other product information of the Production Intent Prototypes .
The design, specification and performance figures for all Production Intent Prototypes will be confirmed following official testing and will be available from Lotus Cars.
The price quoted includes VAT at 17.5%.
**Using optional hybrid
