Lotus has just released the full images and details of the 2014 Lotus Elite – their latest supercar which will be unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
Meant to redefine modern classic, the 2+2 is a stunning piece of engineering and design. Despite being relatively compact (4.60m long, 1.90m wide, and 1.32m tall), Lotus has managed to give the car dramatic styling and a retractable hard top.
As for the new – and aggressive – design of the car, the man behind it, designer Donato Coco, left no stones unturned in giving the Elite a more aggressive approach by adding some depth to the car’s front fascia. As somebody who noted the two-dimensional looks of prior Lotus vehicles, Coco’s design of the Elite is about as good as it can get for a brand looking to be edgier and more upscale that what its previous reputation suggests.
The Lotus Elite propels itself into supercar territory with a high level of power and performance. Under the hood of the Elite lies a monster 5.0 liter V8 engine developing 612 hp (456 kW / 620 PS) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque. The rev limiter of the Lotus Elite is set at 8,500 rpm! While official data is still pending, Lotus expects the 3,638 pound car will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 to 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 196 mph.
More importantly, the Elite will also be offered as a hybrid. Details are slim, but the company says the car will have a hybrid gearbox (with integrated electric motors) and a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Thanks to the eco-friendly technology, the Elite hybrid will offer emissions as low as 215 g/km. As a comparison, a 2010 Prius emits 89 g/km of CO2.
Official press release from Lotus follows the jump
Leave a Reply