2014 LOTUS ELITE

Revealed just days before Lotus unveiled a full six concepts and future models at the Paris Auto Show last month, the new 'third generation' Lotus Elite has proved to be something of a revolution for the British brand.

Described by Lotus as "the first taste of what's to come from Lotus in the future" and tentatively scheduled for a 2014 debut, the new Elite is a proper 2+2-seating GT supercar - with a retractable hardtop roof.

A new image and computer-animated video released today brings us our first glimpse of the Elite with its roof down.

Powered by a front-mid-mounted 5.0 litre V8 engine - a highly-modified version of the Lexus IS F's engine the Elite offers a huge 455kW.

Weighing in at 1650kg, Lotus says - and we believe it - that the Elite will rocket to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds, bringing it within 0.3 seconds of the Ferrari 458 Italia. Top speed is listed at 315km/h.

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• reply ” like !

  

  harlem says,
  3 years ago

  Lotus Tiburon
• reply ” like !

  Daniel McKenna says,
  3 years ago

  I would absolutely love to see this built, looks awesome.
• reply ” like !

  

  Godspeed says,
  3 years ago

  That rear-three-quarter shot definitely sells the car a lot better. The front end is a bit too plain for my liking. But it definitely look well proportioned.
• reply ” like !

  

  5 valve per cylinder says,
  3 years ago

  Upon seeing new line-up of Lotus cars stand-out was definitely Elise and City Car Concept while the rest ( Eterne, Esprit, Elite and Elan ) were admirable at best..
  .. Cabins were very well done, simple and hi-tech.