The Lotus Elite, Eclat, and Excel: A Timeless Trio of British Sports Cars

The Lotus Elite, Eclat, and Excel are three iconic British sports cars that have captured the hearts of enthusiasts for decades. These cars are known for their sleek designs, agile handling, and potent performance, making them a joy to drive and a pleasure to own. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history, design, and performance of these timeless classics.

The Lotus Elite

The Lotus Elite was the first of the three cars to be produced, debuting in 1957. It was designed by Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, and was based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car that had achieved great success in racing. The Elite was a radical departure from the Seven, featuring a sleek fiberglass body and a powerful Coventry Climax engine. The car was an instant success, and it quickly became one of the most popular sports cars in the world.

Lotus Elite, Eclat and Excel: An Enthusiast's Guide

by Matthew Vale

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37336 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	147 pages
Paperback	:	236 pages
Item Weight	:	12 ounces
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 0.5 x 9.21 inches

FREE

The Elite was powered by a variety of engines over the years, including the Coventry Climax FWE, the Ford Lotus Twin Cam, and the Toyota 2.0L 2JZ-GE. The car was also available with a variety of transmissions, including a four-speed manual, a five-speed manual, and a three-speed automatic. The Elite was capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 mph, and it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 7 seconds.

The Elite was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Lotus as a leading manufacturer of sports cars. The car was praised for its sleek design, agile handling, and potent performance. The Elite was also a relatively affordable sports car, making it accessible to a wider range of enthusiasts.

The Lotus Eclat

The Lotus Eclat was introduced in 1974 as a replacement for the Elite. The Eclat was based on the Elite, but it featured a number of significant changes, including a new fiberglass body, a revised interior, and a more powerful engine. The Eclat was also available in a convertible version, which was known as the Eclat Drophead.

The Eclat was powered by a variety of engines over the years, including the Ford Lotus Twin Cam, the Toyota 2.0L 2JZ-GE, and the General Motors 2.8L 60-degree V6. The car was also available with a variety of transmissions, including a four-speed manual, a five-speed manual, and a three-speed automatic. The Eclat was capable of reaching speeds of up to 130 mph, and it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds.

The Eclat was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to further establish Lotus as a leading manufacturer of sports cars. The car was praised for its sleek design, agile handling, and potent performance. The Eclat was also a relatively affordable sports car, making it accessible to a wider range of enthusiasts.

The Lotus Excel

The Lotus Excel was introduced in 1982 as a replacement for the Eclat. The Excel was based on the Eclat, but it featured a number of significant changes, including a new steel body, a revised interior, and a more powerful engine. The Excel was also available in a convertible version, which was known as the Excel Drophead.

The Excel was powered by a variety of engines over the years, including the General Motors 2.8L 60-degree V6, the Toyota 2.0L 2JZ-GE, and the Lotus 2.2L 912/917 inline-four. The car was also available with a variety of transmissions, including a four-speed manual, a five-speed manual, and a three-speed automatic. The Excel was capable of reaching speeds of up to 140 mph, and it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds.

The Excel was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to further establish Lotus as a leading manufacturer of sports cars. The car was praised for its sleek design, agile handling, and potent performance. The Excel was also a relatively affordable sports car, making it accessible to a wider range of enthusiasts.

The Lotus Elite, Eclat, and Excel are three iconic British sports cars that have captured the hearts of enthusiasts for decades. These cars are known for their sleek designs, agile handling, and potent performance, making them a joy to drive and a pleasure to own. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, these cars are sure to turn heads and provide years of driving pleasure.

Lotus Elite, Eclat and Excel: An Enthusiast's Guide

by Matthew Vale

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37336 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	147 pages
Paperback	:	236 pages
Item Weight	:	12 ounces
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 0.5 x 9.21 inches

FREE