1990s Elan
| Manufacturer | Lotus Cars |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989–1995 |
| Assembly | Hethel, England |
| Body style | 2-door roadster |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Engine | 1,588 cc Isuzu 4XE1 I4 1,588 cc Isuzu 4XE1-MT turbo I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,250 mm (88.6 in) |
| Length | 3,803 mm (149.7 in) 3,870 mm (152.2 in) (US) |
| Width | 1,734 mm (68.3 in) |
| Height | 1,230–1,240 mm (48.4–48.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 997 kg (2,198 lb) (NA) 1,075–1,110 kg (2,370–2,447 lb) (Turbo) |
| Designer(s) | Peter Stevens |
The Lotus M100 Elan, launched in 1989, was a two-seater, convertible sports car designed by Lotus, with a reliable Japanese engine and manual transmission supplied by Isuzu, and built with the development and testing resources of General Motors. Around £35 million (about $55 million) was invested in its development, more than any other car in Lotus history. Its design, featuring a fibreglass composite body over a rigid steel backbone chassis, was true to Lotus founder Colin Chapman's original philosophy of achieving performance through low weight, and the name "Elan" connected the car with its 1960s ancestor, the original Lotus Elan.
Read more about this topic: Lotus Elan