2014 Lotus Elite: The hybrid convertible supercar

Description

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. If that isn't impressive enough, the Elite is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 620 PS (456 kW / 612 hp) and 720 Nm (531 Nm) of torque. While official data is still pending, Lotus expects the 1650kg (3638 lb) car will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 to 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 315 km/h (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. According to Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, "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. 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." Scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2014, the Elite has a tentative base price of £115000 (including <b>...</b>

Keywords

Lotus, Elite, autos, cars, automobiles

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