The Lotus Elite and Eclat were a series of sports cars produced by the British car maker Lotus from 1974 to 1982. The Elite and Eclat were two separate models, but they shared many components and were based on the same basic chassis and running gear.
The Lotus Elite was introduced in 1974, and it was designed as a upmarket 4 seater Grand Tourer. The car featured a distinctive wedge-shaped design, with a low, sleek profile and an angular rear end. The Elite was powered by a 907 four-cylinder engine initially , a 2.0-litre unit that produced up to 160 horsepower.
The Lotus Eclat was introduced in 1975 to complement the Lotus Elite. The Eclat was designed as a more cost effective 4 seater sports car, but with less headroom in the rear. Like the Elite, the Eclat featured a wedge-shaped design, with the same front end as an Elite with a more tapered roof and rear end. The Eclat was also powered by a the same four-cylinder engines as the elite including a 2.2-litre 912 that was fitted to the Series 2 cars
Both the Lotus Elite and Eclat were known for their low drag coefficient as well as outstanding handling and performance, thanks in part to their lightweight construction and well-tuned suspension. The cars were also notable for their aerodynamic styling, which was designed to reduce drag and improve performance at high speeds.
Production of the Lotus Elite and Eclat ended in 1982, after around 3,000 examples were produced. Despite their relatively low production numbers, the Elite and Eclat are now considered classic British sports cars and are popular among collectors and enthusiasts.