LOTUS ELAN M100 model history:
Code-named ‘M100’ at the factory during its development, the 1980s Elan was conceived as an every day Lotus sports car. Big daddy owner General Motors, who acquired Lotus Cars Ltd in 1986, allowed an extensive budget to explore a front-wheel drive (a Lotus first; and last to date) vehicle.
Debuting in 1989, in both turbo and normally-aspirated form, dynamically the Elan was an undeniable success. Lotus had advanced front-wheel drive systems beyond the norm and this led to much work flowing to Lotus research and development department from other manufacturers.
The power deliver was smooth and without drive-train judder or resistance from the front wheels. The ride was compliant and supple yet corning speeds could be high with minimal body-roll. Contemporary road tests were extremely complimentary.
Sales wise, the Elan was less cheered. The price was relatively high at £19,850 for the forced-induction SE (£17,850 for the 130bhp model) and world economies were heading for a recession with interest rates in the UK at one point hitting 15%. The recently launched Mazda MX-5, a homage to the 1960s Lotus Elan, was cheaper and on the surface appeared to do the same thing. For most buyers, that was enough.
Production ended in 1992 but was restarted in 1994 to make 800 cars, the Elan S2. Car number 470 was the 50,000th Lotus car ever made.
50000lotus 