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Lotus Elan

Lotus Elan 1500, 1600, S2, S3, S4, Sprint
Lotus-Elan-'66.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Lotus Cars
Production 1962–1973
Assembly Hethel, England
Body and chassis
Class Sports car (S)
Body style 2-door coupé
2-door roadster
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine 1,498 cc later 1,558 cc Lotus TwinCam I4 (petrol)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 84.0 in (2,134 mm)
Length 145.0 in (3,683 mm)
Width 56.0 in (1,422 mm)
Height 45.5 in (1,156 mm)
Curb weight 1,516.8 lb (688 kg)
Lotus Elan +2
LotusElan+2Side.jpg
Overview
Production 1967–1975
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupé
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine 1,557 cc Lotus TwinCam I4 (petrol)
Transmission 4-speed manual (all-synchromesh)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 96.0 in (2,438 mm)
Length 169.0 in (4,293 mm)
Width 66.0 in (1,676 mm)
Height 47.0 in (1,194 mm)
Lotus Elan M100
Lotus Elan.jpg
Overview
Also called Galloper Elan (Arabia)
Kia Elan
Kia Roadster (Germany)
Kia Vigato (Japan)
Production 1989–1995
Assembly Hethel, England
Designer Peter Stevens
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door roadster
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine 1,588 cc Isuzu 4XE1 I4 (petrol)
1,588 cc Isuzu 4XE1-MT turbo I4 (petrol)
Transmission 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 88.6 in (2,250 mm)
Length 149.7 in (3,803 mm)
152.2 in (3,870 mm) (US)
Width 68.3 in (1,734 mm)
Height 48.4–48.8 in (1,230–1,240 mm)
Curb weight 2,198 lb (997 kg) (NA)
2,370–2,447 lb (1,075–1,110 kg) (Turbo)
Lotus Elan (2013)
Lotus Paris 1.JPG
Overview
Production concept, not produced
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupé
Layout Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive

Lotus Elan is the name of two convertible cars and two fixed head coupés produced by Lotus Cars. The original Type 26, 26R Racing version (of the Elan 1600, Elan S2 and Elan coupe), 36 Fixed Head Coupe, 45 Drop Head Coupe, and the "Type 50" +2 Coupe, circa 1962 to 1975, are commonly known as the 1960s Elans.

A similar Elan-inspired model called Evante was produced from mid-1980s by British Lotus specialists Vegantune.

The Type M100 from 1989 to 1995, is also commonly known as the 1990s Elan. This second model was also produced in South Korea by Kia Motors between 1996 and 1999, rebadged as the Kia Elan.

The original Elan 1500 was introduced in 1962 as a roadster. After a very short production run of just 22 cars the engine was enlarged and the car was redesignated the Elan 1600. An optional hardtop was offered in 1963 and a coupé version in 1965. The two-seat Lotus Elan replaced the elegant, but unreliable and expensive to produce Lotus Elite.

It was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. At 1,600 lb (726 kg), the Elan embodied the Colin Chapman minimum weight design philosophy. Initial versions of the Elan were also available as a kit to be assembled by the customer. The Elan was technologically advanced with a DOHC 1557 cc engine, 4-wheel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and 4-wheel independent suspension. Gordon Murray, who designed the spectacular McLaren F1 supercar, reportedly said that his only disappointment with the McLaren F1 was that he couldn't give it the perfect steering of the Lotus Elan.


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