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3 photos
Vehicles
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Make
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Lotus
›
Model
›
Elite
1981 Lotus Elite
United Kingdom
Gasoline
RWD
Coupe
Updated Aug 23, 2026
3 photos
3 photos
Photos
Specifications
Vehicle Details
Powertrain
Dimensions
Engine & Performance
Dimensions & Weight
Exterior
Interior
Other
Vehicle Details
Year
1981
Make
Lotus
Model
Elite
Body Style
Coupe
Generation
2nd Generation
Seats
4
Doors
2
Fuel
Gasoline
Drivetrain
RWD
Transmission
Automatic
Manual, 3
5-speed
Powertrain
Engine Name
2.2
Engine Configuration
Inline
Power (hp)
159 hp
Power (kW)
117 kW
Torque
217 Nm (160 lb-ft)
Top speed
213 km/h
(132 mph)
Displacement
2,174 cc
Dimensions
Length
4,445 mm
(175.0 in)
Width
1,816 mm
(71.5 in)
Height
1,207 mm
(47.5 in)
Wheelbase
2,483 mm
(97.8 in)
Curb weight
1,120 kg
(2,469 lb)
Engine & Performance
Engine
Engine Specification
Rev. at Max Power
6,500 rpm
Rev. at Max Torque
5,000 rpm
Engine Configuration
Bore
95.3 mm
(3.8 in)
Stroke
76.2 mm
(3.0 in)
Compression Ratio
9.44 :1
Engine Configuration
Inline
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission
Automatic
Manual, 3
5-speed
Fuel
General
Tank Volume
67 litres
Dimensions & Weight
Exterior
Track, Front
1,486 mm
(58.5 in)
Track, Rear
1,499 mm
(59.0 in)
Ground Clearance
122 mm
(4.8 in)
Weight
Max Roof Load
75 kg
(165 lb)
Exterior
Chassis & Body
Chassis
Chassis
Coupé
Equipment
Other Equipment
Normal Roof
Yes
Interior
Equipment
Instrument Cluster
Odometer Limit
100,000 km/miles
Other
Car Classification
Australian Classification
Sports Car
European Segment
S-Segment
Car.info Classification
Sports Car
Lotus
94 vehicles
Elite
Model
2 variants
€67,000
MSRP · EUR
8.9
Body
Coupe
Variant
Elite Standard
1958–1982
Elite Coupe Generations
2 of 2
2nd Generation
1974–1982
Year
1981
Powertrain
2.2
Horsepower
159 hp
Drivetrain
RWD
Fuel
Transmission
Automatic | Manual, 3 | 5-speed
Gasoline
Coupe
RWD
Automatic | Manual, 3 | 5-speed
Gasoline
