Lotus Eclat

Lotus Eclat
Overview
Manufacturer	Lotus Cars
Also called	Lotus Sprint (USA) [1]
Production	1975–1982
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.0L Lotus 907 Slant Four or 2.2L Lotus 912 Slant Four
Transmission	4 or 5-speed manual automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,438 mm (96.0 in)
Length	4,458 mm (175.5 in)
Width	1,816 mm (71.5 in)
Height	1,194 mm (47.0 in)
Curb weight	1,055 kg (2,326 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Lotus Excel

Lotus Eclat (Type 76 and Type 84) is a front engine rear drive coupe automobile built from 1975 to 1982 by Lotus Cars. It was based on the Lotus Elite but had a fastback body style which offered more practicality with storage in the boot (trunk), albeit with less headroom above the rear seats. The car was initially to be called the "Elite Coupe".^[2] The lower half of the fibreglass bodywork was actually identical to that of the Elite.^[3]

Description and history

The Eclat Series 1 (1975–1980) was announced in October 1975.^[4] It used a 1973 cc 160 hp (120 kW) Lotus 907 Slant Four engine. Later cars (1980–1982) used a larger 2174 cc Lotus 912 engine, however, because of emission regulations modifications it still only produced 160 hp (120 kW). It did, however, produce more torque and thus improved the car's performance. Both were versions of the Lotus 900 series engine series, which was also used in naturally aspirated and turbo charged versions in the Lotus Esprit.

Early cars either had a four speed Ford gearbox or the five speed gearbox derived by Lotus from Austin Maxi components. Later cars used a Getrag five speed gearbox. Some cars (524) were fitted with three-speed automatic gearboxes. The Eclat had disc brakes at the front, and inboard drum brakes at the rear. Air conditioning and power steering were offered as options. The different equipments of the Series 1 cars were called 520, 521, 522, 523, and 524. The 520 has a four-speed transmission, a Ford bolt pattern, steel wheels, and smaller brakes. The remainder of the range have a 114.3 mm bolt pattern, the same disc brakes as the Elite, and GKN alloy wheels. They also received a twin exhaust and various other comfort items such as a clock and a cigar lighter. The 522 added power steering and the 523 also received air conditioning. The 524 is like the 523 but with the automatic transmission. Some other cars were also fitted with the automatic, and Lotus accommodated a variety of changes to the cars. There were also sporty versions of the 520 and 521 called the Eclat Sprint, with a black-and-white paint job, an oil cooler, and a variety of other performance upgrades.^[3] Approximately 1500 examples of the Eclat were produced.^[1]

Chassis

The original mild steel chassis fitted by Lotus supported was accompanied by a strip of felt which fitted between body and the steel crossmember of the chassis. In damp climates, the felt became a water trap and caused structural corrosion, resulting in a crumbling rear chassis. Chassis replacement was initially not cost effective on the Eclat and Elite, and in consequence resale values suffered hugely. Series 2 cars were fitted with a galvanised chassis as standard and a large number of Series 1 vehicles have had replacements fitted, which are usually galvanised.

Reception

The car was well received by the motoring press, which praised the car's handling and grip. The fuel consumption was also considered reasonable at the time, in comparison with the larger and multi cylinder engines used in competitor GT cars.

Eclat Excel

In 1982, the Eclat was developed into the Eclat Excel (later badged simply as the Lotus Excel), which used the same engine, but a modified version of the chassis, altered bodywork, and Toyota gearbox, driveline, and brakes.

Surviving cars

As at 2014, 604 Eclats are still registered in the United Kingdom, but fewer than half of them are taxed for use on public roads.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Picture taken in London 1980
• 

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lotus Éclat.