<< Back

Lotus Elan SE Turbo

Mileage: 14,071 Top Speed: 137 Year: 1992 0 - 60: 6.5 MOT Expiry: June 2014 BHP: 162 Tax Expiry: SORN Transmission: 5 Speed Manual Exterior Colour: Pacific Blue Metallic Engine Capacity: 1588cc Interior Colour: Grey / Red Leather Engine Configuration: Inline 4 Turbo

Lotus Elan SE Turbo | £11,995

Mileage: 14,071

Model History

The Lotus M100 Elan was launched in 1989, a stylish 2 seater it was fitted with a reliable Japanese engine and manual transmission supplied by Isuzu. Around £35 million was invested in its development, more than any other car in Lotus history. Its design, featuring a fibreglass composite body over a rigid steel backbone chassis, was true to Lotus founder Colin Chapman's original philosophy of achieving performance through low weight, and the name "Elan" connected the car with its 1960s ancestor, the original Lotus Elan.

 

Lotus put an enormous effort into testing the car; over a two-year period 19 crash cars and 42 development vehicles were built, logging nearly a million test miles in locations from Arizona to the Arctic. The Elan was driven at racing speeds for 24 hours around the track at Snetterton. Finally each new car was test-driven for around 30 miles at Lotus's Hethel factory to check for any manufacturing defects before being shipped to dealers.

 

The M100 Elan's cornering performance was undeniable (on release the Elan was described by Autocar magazine as "the quickest point to point car available"). Press reaction was not uniformly positive, as some reviewers found the handling too secure and predictable compared to a rear-wheel-drive car. However, the Elan's rigid chassis minimised roll through the corners and has led to its description as 'the finest front wheel drive car bar none.

 

Two variants were available at launch, the 130 bhp Elan 1.6 (retailing at £17,850) and the 162 bhp Turbo SE (£19,850). Initial sales were disappointing, perhaps because its launch coincided with a major economic recession in the UK and USA and perhaps also because it coincided with the cheaper Mazda MX-5 which was arguably similar in concept, though the MX-5 was quite intentionally nostalgic and old fashioned (mimiking the original Elan), while the M100 was deliberately futuristic, modern and forward looking. The Elan was regarded as a good product in a bad market place.

 

 
Altogether 3,855 Elans were built between November 1989 and July 1992.

Equipment

Alloy wheels, Electric windows, Electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, Central locking, Laminated windscreen, Bronze tinted glass, Leather seats with red stripe, Leather covered steering wheel trim, Blaupunkt radio cassette, Adjustable steering column, Digital clock, Turbo boost gauge, Power steering, Body coloured door mirrors, 165bhp turbocharged and intercooled engine

Exterior

This fortunate Elan has spent a coveted life tucked away in a warm garage so remains in fresh original condition. Other than a couple of light stone chips to the nose the paint is unmarked still retaining a perfect glossy shine. All of the rubber seals around the doors and windows have escaped the suns rays so have held their colour and remain supple and soft. The convertible hood folds easily into its compartment and remains in perfect condition with no wear to the fabric or plastic screen.

 

Looking under the car tells a similar story and that clearly it has never seen a wet road, the rear wishbone arms prone to rusting are like new and the chassis tunnel perfect with the correct recent application of wax protectant. None of the nuts, bolts or ancillaries show any sign of corrosion and the sticker still remains on the underside of the exhaust.

 

Interior

The interior feels like new with no signs of any wear to report, the leather on the seats and door cards is crease and crack free and still retains its textured matt finish. The red leather stripes tie in nicely with all the red gauges and instruments, all of which work exactly as they should. The leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob are well positioned and again are free from any signs of wear. The original Blaupunkt tape player is still installed and working well.

 

The boot area is immaculately turned out with no evidence of ever having to carry any luggage, the space saver spare, jack and tool kit are all stored away under the carpet.

 

Engine & Transmission

The engine bay is in pristine condition, clean and  tidy. The car is in first rate mechanical condition having had a major service done in June last year at 13,765 miles, this included a new cambelt and all the oils and fluids were replaced including the gearbox. 

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The alloys are all perfect and free of any marks or scratches, they are shod in a matching set of Kumho tyres that all have an even 7mm of tread. The brakes show minimal wear, the discs are free from scoring or pitting and the callipers still look like new. 

History File

This Elan was first registered in April 1992 and has had 2 owners from new, the original keeping it till June 2007.

 

The service history is complete with all the early services stamped in the original service book and all the more recent services documented with the service receipts detailing the work that has been carried out. The last was done in June last year which was the ‘B' service that includes all fluids and the cambelt.

 

The file also contains all the MOT certificates to further verify the low mileage, most of the old tax disks, all the service invoices, the vehicle induction program and the original sales brochure.

 

The Lotus document pack is also still with the car which contains the service book, owner's manual, stereo guide and alarm user manual. There are also 2 spare keys