Lotus reveals V8-powered Elite
British sports-car specialist provides the first look at its V8-powered rival for the Ferrari California and Aston Martin DB9The dust has barely settled on the recently launched Evora, but Lotus has already unmasked the next instalment in its new-model onslaught -- namely the V8-powered Elite.
Due to be revealed at the imminent Paris motor show, the 2+2 Elite differs from recent Lotuses (or should that be Loti?) in that its engine sits ahead of the cabin, rather than directly aft of it. The car is due to launch in mid-2014, and Lotus boasts that it will "set a new benchmark in design, performance and emissions".
The company claims the mid-front-mounted 5.0-litre V8 powerplant (believed to be derived from the Lexus LS600hL unit) pumps out 455kW, enabling the sharp-nosed coupe to dispatch the 0-100km/h split in just over 3.5sec, while top speed is listed at 315km/h.
Boldly touted as a "modern classic", the Elite will be optionally available with a retractable hardtop, as well as hybrid technology with the F1-derived KERS (Kinetic Energy Regeneration System).
The Elite doesn't exactly adhere to company founder Colin Chapman's "weight is the enemy" mantra as it tips the scales at a beefy 1650kg, but it's still about 80kg lighter than an Aston Martin DB9. It measures 4600mm from bumper to bumper and a voluptuous 1900mm across the hips, so the Elite is clearly no minnow.
"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," said Lotus CEO Dany Bahar.
"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.
"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."
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