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Lotus Elite

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23rd September, 2010

  • New Lotus Elite combines V8 and hybrid technology
  • Front-engined V8, with rear-wheel drive
  • 456 kW hybrid KERS powertrain

With an unveil scheduled for next month's Paris Motor Show, the 'dawn' of a new era for Lotus Cars is about to arrive. The new Elite is claimed by Lotus to be ‘modern classic’ with a combination of good looks, new technology and exhilarating performance.

The Lotus Elite is the first of the new generation of Lotus cars and a 'taste' of what’s to come from Lotus in the future.

Elegant has a number of definitions and synonyms, including dignified grace in appearance, movement, or behaviour, superb taste in design, style; the ultimate refinement.

The groundbreaking new Lotus Elite is that and more. Its compact body is 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 hardtop 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 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 like it out there both in terms of styling and performance.”

“Make no mistake, there’s a definite market requirement for the Elite – it’s the ultimate sports car, 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 Elite lightly; it is 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 Elite raises the benchmark again.”

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The Lotus Elite is an innovative, exciting GT that will set a new standard in design, performance and emissions. And it’s not all about sleek lines and stunning bodywork with this particular 2+2. What hides beneath its shark like exterior perfectly complements the aesthetics.

A front-mid positioned 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering up to 456 kW and 720 Nm will offer scintillating performance. Predictions and expectations are that the Elite will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in the 3.5-3.7 second range, on the way to a top speed of 315 km/h, firmly putting the Elite into super car territory.

Heralding a new era of Lotus performance, the 5.0-litre V8 engine is assisted by a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) as seen in Formula 1, harnessing energy normally wasted during braking into an extra power boost.

The Lotus Elite is scheduled for production in 2014, and Australian pricing will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date. The Lotus Elite will be officially unveiled to the public at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, starting in early October.

Lotus Elite specification*
Layout:  2+2 seater, front-mid-engined, rear-wheel drive
Dimensions: Length: 4.60m, width: 1.90m, height: 1.32m
Engine: 5.0-litre V8, optional hybrid technology, gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS
Power: 456 kW (620 ps), maximum of 8,500 rpm
Torque: 720 Nm (with KERS)
0-100 km/h: 3.5-3.7 seconds
Top speed: 315 km/h
CO2/km: 215 g/km (with KERS)
Weight: 1,650 kg
Scheduled production/on sale: 2014


NOTE: Whilst the vehicle subject to this news story is a Production Intent Prototype (PIP), 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 PIP, the specification, performance, dimensions, weight, fuel consumption, powertrain details and any other product information at anytime and without notice for any reason.

Details of performance, weight, fuel consumption and other production information relating to the PIPs are not official or proven figures and represent the intended performance, weight, fuel consumption and other product information.

The design, specification and performance figures for all PIPs will be confirmed following official testing and will be available, in time, from Lotus Cars.


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