What is the Lotus Elan?
The M100 Elan is a compact two-seat sports convertible that brought the Elan name back in a modern form. Lotus positioned it below larger models such as the Esprit and Excel. Its front-wheel-drive layout was a deliberate departure for the marque, intended to offer sure-footed handling and appeal to drivers familiar with sporty hatchbacks.
The redesigned Elan went on sale in 1989. Its cab-forward styling and suspension reflected Lotus’s engineering-led approach, while its layout broke with the rear-wheel-drive convention associated with the marque.
Elan generations and engines
The M100 Series 1 ran from 1989 to 1992. Lotus later made an S2 version. In the United States, EPA figures cover two petrol versions from 1991 to 1993, with a 1.6-litre engine. The combined EPA rating is 24 MPG.
How economical is the Lotus Elan?
For the U.S. market, the EPA combined rating is 24 MPG, also listed as 9.8 L/100 km. EPA tests differ from European WLTP and NEDC procedures, so ratings across these markets are not directly interchangeable.
Where was the Lotus Elan sold?
In the United States, EPA figures cover two petrol versions from 1991 to 1993. The M100’s front-wheel-drive layout marked a distinctive change in Lotus’s road-car history.
Questions and answers
What does M100 mean on a Lotus Elan?
M100 is the project and type name for the redesigned Elan introduced in 1989.
Was the M100 Elan front-wheel drive?
Yes. It was a front-wheel-drive sports convertible.
What is the Elan’s EPA fuel economy?
The U.S. EPA combined rating is 24 MPG, also listed as 9.8 L/100 km.
