Lotus Elan M100 S2

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Launched in 1989, the new generation Lotus Elan marked a radical departure for the Hethel-based company.

The only Lotus ever to feature front-wheel drive, it also had an engine and gearbox sourced from Isuzu. While some purists turned their noses up at these developments, there was no denying that it added up to very effective package. The chassis was as fabulous as ever with all the handling precision that one would expect from a Lotus. Also in the Lotus tradition was the lightweight GRP bodyshell, bolted directly to the backbone chassis.

The turbocharged 1,588cc engine was rewardingly punchy, delivering 162bhp and rocketing the car to 60 in just 6.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 137mph. Keeping everything under control were all round coil-sprung independent suspension, disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering. On release the Elan was described by Autocar magazine as "the quickest point to point car available," while CAR magazine judged it “the best handling front-wheel drive car in the world.”

Only 3,855 Elans were made before the supply of Isuzu engines dried up in 1992, but when Bugatti took over Lotus in 1993, they managed to source a few more engines so a final batch of 800 Elans were manufactured between June 1994 and September 1995. Called the S2, the new car was slightly lighter than the S1 and had even better handling, according to Autocar, thanks to stiffened suspension and recalibrated power steering. Today many owners opt to get the ECU remapped by Lotus specialist Paul Matty, which can increase the power to 210bhp with no ill effects.

This S2 is number 61 of the 800 and was first registered in August 1994. It has had four owners, the third buying it in 2001 and keeping it until 2012 when the vendor acquired it. With some 94,000 miles on the clock it comes with a good service history comprising 11 stamps to date, the last at 91,743 miles, although it also had another oil service at 92,839 miles.

The current Lotus enthusiast owner has gone right through the car to make sure that everything is in tip-top order, including fitting a new cambelt and cam sensor at 89,500 miles. The front brakes have been upgraded with a Hi Spec kit (callipers/discs/pads) and new Toyo tyres have been fitted all round and the alloy wheels refurbished. A new hood and seals have been fitted along with a new stainless steel exhaust, battery and alternator. The gearbox oil has also just been changed.

Taxed until February 2015 and due to have a fresh MOT in time for the sale, the car is only very reluctantly being sold due to a knee injury which means the vendor can no longer drive it. One of only 350 S2 Elans still on the road in Britain today, it looks good value at the guide price suggested.
.