Ten days ahead of the official unveil at the Paris Motor Show, Lotus have unveiled the next step in their journey. The Elite promises to redefine a “modern classic”.
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 new Elite is said to be exactly that. It’s compact yet chic body is exquisitely elegant, in keeping with Lotus’ core values, but it’s also 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.
[blockquote type=”blockquote_quotes” align=”right”]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’s based on months of careful research and planning.[/blockquote]
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 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 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 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 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering up to 611 bhp means that drivers can expect to go from 0-100 km/h in around 3.5 to 3.7 seconds.
Well, that’s certainly got our attention.
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That’s beautiful. However, it weighs more than a California. That’s not a Lotus.