Lotus Elan SE Turbo m100 1990

1990 Lotus Elan SE Turbo M100

Reg: MIL 4222

VIN: TBC

Milage: 48,000

Engine: 1.6-litre Turbocharged In-line Four

Transmission: Manual

Exterior Colour: White

Interior Colour: Black

Summary

This low mileage Elan M100 is the superior SE Turbo model and has enjoyed just 48,000 miles over the course of its 31 years. Finished in white with a comprehensive full service history, this Elan comes with a full 12 months MOT, a fresh cambelt and braided brake lines so the new owner can enjoy the car stress free for the remainder of the summer. 

Highlights 

Full service history 

Turbo SE model with 162 horsepower

Fresh cambelt with new braided brake lines

12 months MOT

Background

Lotus didn't acquire the best luck during the 1980s. The re-imagined Elan didn't wow the crowds who couldn't get over the front wheel drive setup coupled with a Japanese power plant, which was a shame as the car was hailed as one of the finest front wheel drive chassis of the 1990s. 

Powered by an Isuzu 1.6-litre engine, the car here is the higher powered Turbo SE model with 162 horsepower. Quite the achievement for its day. Zero to sixty miles per hour is dispatched in just 6.7 seconds, which to this day makes it surprisingly rapid. Of the Series One models like this example, just 3,855 units were produced before General Motors, owners of Lotus at the time, pulled the plug on the M100. 

The ironic conclusion to the M100 project is that its Japanese engine coupled with its exceptional chassis makes it one of the most robust sports cars of the era. With no known rust issues, fibreglass body, an indestructible Isuzu power plant and generally strong levels of robustness, the simple fact the car was powered by the ‘wrong wheels' was enough to quiet the crowds. Journalists of the time helped change that rhetoric by revealing the car's true potential in a narrative that screamed pleasing surprise. 

When Bugatti bought Lotus the M100 was put back into production to use up the remaining parts from when the car was discontinued in 1992. The 1994 car cost substantially more, yet managed to sell all units. Perhaps the most interesting part of the car's existence is the final chapter, where Lotus sold the tooling and rights to the Elan to none other than Kia, who added their own engine and sold the car in the Eastern markets from 1997 under the name ‘Kia Elan'. 

Vehicle history

This Elan exhibits a full service history with a recent cambelt change along with upgraded braided brake lines to assist the sports cars driving credentials. A 12 month MOT is offered with the car too, along with a clean MOT history. The car was re-commissioned in 2020 having been off the road since 2009. 

External Condition

The white paintwork shines in the summer sun, with few obvious signs of age despite the car turning 31 this year. The classical multi-spoke alloy wheels appear in fantastic condition too, helping the car look poised and ready for the B-Roads ahead of it for the new owner. 

Internal Condition

Step inside and the part-leather seats hark back to a different era, with the red dials giving a suggestive atmosphere to the 1.6-litre Turbo SE specified engine. The steering wheel appears to have been changed to an S1 Elise example, adding a touch of modernisation that fits exceptionally well to create a pleasing cabin space that is sure to set this example apart. 

Mechanicals

The 1.6-litre Isuzu inspired engine generates 162 horsepower with the added oomph of the turbocharger. Given the nature of Japanese reliability, these engines are well known to achieve intergalactic mileage without the need for any refurbishment. Similarly, the gearboxes are known to be bullet proof, with the powertrain as a whole offering the ability to be remapped to upwards of 200 horsepower in some cases offering a truly wild driving experience. 

Paperwork/History 

The Elan comes with a full service history folder, documenting substantial servicing routines with the recent cambelt change and brake lines being included in the invoice selection. 

Appeal

With Lotus moving into a new era with the unveiling of the V6 powered Emira, the Elan offers a fantastic insight into a model that has always deserved far more appreciation than it has received in the past. A truly unadulterated and faultless front wheel drive chassis setup, the M100 model Elan is finally on its way to stardom. Given the car's incredibly impressive reliability credentials, the M100 is a sports car that can be enjoyed guilt free for many years to come. 

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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