We didn't see this one coming. Lotus' five-car concept explosion at the Paris Motor Show is one of the most welcome surprises sprung on us in recent memory... and the biggest surprise of all may be this Elan. Lotus says its new Elan is slated for a debut in 2013, which makes us wonder what the future may have in store for the current Evora. Pricing for the 2013 Elan is set at $118,500 (£75,000).

In any case, the Elan is powered by a 450-horsepower supercharged 4.0-liter V6 engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox from Toyota, which offers enough gumption to scoot to 62 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph. Lotus also promises that a hybrid will be available using a Kinetic Energy Recovery System similar to those seen in Formula One a season ago.

Take a good look at the awesome cockpit of the 2013 Elan. Plenty of carbon fiber, plenty of high-tech goodies, even including a digital race track readout for track days. And could anything be better than that awesome flat-bottom and flat-top steering wheel? No, we didn't think so.

Weight comes in at 2,849 pounds and there is room for a driver and a passenger, but Lotus will also optionally deliver the Elan with two itty-bitty perches out back. Are we sensing that Lotus has the Porsche 911 in its sights? You betcha'. Check out the 2013 Lotus Elan in our high-res image gallery below.

We didn't see this one coming. Lotus' five-car concept explosion at the Paris Motor Show is one of the most welcome surprises sprung on us in recent memory... and the biggest surprise of all may be this Elan. Lotus says its new Elan is slated for a debut in 2013, which makes us wonder what the future may have in store for the current Evora. Pricing for the 2013 Elan is set at $118,500 (£75,000).

In any case, the Elan is powered by a 450-horsepower supercharged 4.0-liter V6 engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox from Toyota, which offers enough gumption to scoot to 62 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph. Lotus also promises that a hybrid will be available using a Kinetic Energy Recovery System similar to those seen in Formula One a season ago.

Take a good look at the awesome cockpit of the 2013 Elan. Plenty of carbon fiber, plenty of high-tech goodies, even including a digital race track readout for track days. And could anything be better than that awesome flat-bottom and flat-top steering wheel? No, we didn't think so.

Weight comes in at 2,849 pounds and there is room for a driver and a passenger, but Lotus will also optionally deliver the Elan with two itty-bitty perches out back. Are we sensing that Lotus has the Porsche 911 in its sights? You betcha'. Check out the 2013 Lotus Elan in our high-res image gallery below.

YouTube - Lotus Elan

Source Paris 2010: Lotus Elan Concept stuns the crowds [w/video] — Autoblog

 

I know we have threads already of this car but this article points out two things that.... well brings up my attention and would like to share it with you guys and discuss.

A. Pricing for the 2013 Elan is set at $118,500 (£75,000)

B. 450-horsepower supercharged 4.0-liter V6 engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

I really want to like this car but I think I will have to hit a master reset button in my mind on what Lotus are today in order to comprehend and better value what Lotus is trying to position themselves in the market.

I see those two things and .

 

Lotus has either lost there mind or they know something we all don't know! That's a lot of cars they introduced today!

 

OK, <2,900 lbs with that kind of power sounds pretty OK with me. I just wish it was available with a stick.

Now, I just have to get past the generic styling...

 

As I posted on another thread, and I do not know if it is a joke or what. Steve Harris Evo's Journalist twitter:

Official Porsche statement in response to Lotus news: "Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! !!"

chris harris (harrismonkey) on Twitter

 

Unfortunately, the former.

 

I can't figure out who this car is aimed at.

As a car enthusiast I started to love this thing. Tons of HP, somewhat livable, still lightweight, and it's engineered by Lotus. You know it will be a blast to drive. And then... no manual?! Nope, not interested any more.

Are they trying to sell to the men and women who just want a Porsche status symbol to show the neighbors? They all buy Carrera 4 cabrios for the drop top and all wheel drive. This car won't work for them.

Are they going after affluent buyers who don't know anything about cars but feel they need a 'nice car'? Good luck, the badge isn't German.

I really only see this working for car enthusiasts who don't need a manual. That, and enthusiasts who haven't lived with a dual clutch gearbox before. Great in traffic, but they absolutely rob the driver involvement from those really fun drives.

 

wtf no discostick? Really?