Photo : D.R. - Lotus Cars

2010 is undoubtedly a very big year for Lotus. After a return to Formula 1, the company founded by Colin Chapman (1928-1982) unveils the third generation of the Elite at the 'Mondial de Paris'.

Launched at the London Motor Show 1957, the Elite was the first Lotus Gran Turismo. Already very attentive to weight gain, Colin Chapman himself designed a plastic monocoque, powered by a 4-cylinder Coventry-Climax 1.2 litre (75 hp) engine. It would be produced until 1963. During this period, the Lotus Elite also recorded its name in the winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the classification of the index of performance in 1960 and 1962. The second generation was born in 1974, still based on a 4-cylinder engine in line 2 litre,, 2.2 liters and a fiberglass body. The new Elite was characterized by its unique design, which made it look like an estate car with two doors. Its production ended in 1982.

The Lotus Elite for the twenty-first century (pictured above) will be launced at the Paris Motor Show, which opens on the 2nd of October. True to the history of the model, it will perform well, but it will be a considerable change from its predecessors: it has been announced that will come with a 5-litre V8 with 620 hp. It will go into production in 2014.

At the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach last August, Lotus unveiled the T125 (which owes its name to the Lotus 25, the first monocoque Formula 1), equipped with a 5.3 litre Cosworth V8 giving 640 horsepower, a performance close to the GP2. With only 25 units built, it is intended for the ultra-priviledged customers of a club called Exos. In reviving the first Gran Turismo Lotus and launching a program exclusively dedicated to Formula 1, Lotus is revisiting its heritage while still looking to the future ... Meanwhile back in competition at Le Mans in GT class?

Jean-Philippe Doret – Translated by Dave Davies