Launch of the Elan

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Launch of the Elan + 2

Preparation of the press car.

Lotus were moving into a new market with the +2 and knew they were soon to be up against strong competition as Jaguar's E type 2+2. With it 130 mph top speed and ability to hit 60 mph in around 8 seconds the Jaguar was every bit as quick as the lighter Elan two seater. It was clear that the extra weight in the +2 left it behind the two seater when it came to acceleration, although as events were to prove the superior aerodynamics of the +2 allowed it to reach pretty much the same top speed. 

To ensure favorable performance figures the first press car, registration  LPW 120 E, had its normal engine removed and a replacement fitted. Unremarkable from the outside this heavily modified Twin cam, taken from Sales Director's personal Elan, provided enough extra power to make up for the extra weight burden. Armed with the 'demon' engine the car was now ready to meet the press and to receive a reception few cars have ever enjoyed.  

Motor magazine's review - September 67.

The work that had gone into the press cars paid of spectacularly, with a review of the Elan in the September 2nd edition of Motor magazine. This was a  thorough review of one of the first cars, registration LPW 120E (chassis number 0001), and it is hard to think of a review more likely to stoke up demand from the public. from the first paragraph Motor heaped praise on the Elan +2. How about this for an opening ....

Elan plus a lot

This report is something of a landmark in the history of Motor road tests. Ignoring the fact it is the only one you can read about the new lotus Elan today, it is one of those rare and memorable tests that have dictated  a reappraisal of some of the standards by which we must judge and assess all future cars.

It got better...

Let's be specific. The uncanny cornering powers of this remarkable machine equal and probably exceed those of any production car we have driven before: similarly the handling and brakes are certainly not bettered. Greater performance can be bought elsewhere, but according to our records no other four seater is capable of reaching 60 mph in only 8.2 seconds or a maximum of 125 mph on a mere 1,600 cc.

They liked its looks...

Not many people are going to contradict us, either, if we suggest that this is one of the finest looking cars to be designed and built in Britain, confirming that aerodynamics and fashion are not incompatible.

Yet already a few niggles were emerging...

Our test car certainly had a few detail faults. There was a rattle in both doors, a slight smell of petrol whenever the windows were open and the clutch was absurdly heavy.....The only things we didn't like were the gear ratios  and the excessive and disturbing surging (caused by wind up in the rubber joints of the drive shafts) which could only be suppressed by extreme delicacy on the throttle.