On November 15, 2024, the prototype was sold Lotus Elan M200 Speedster. Created in 1990 by car designer Julian Thompson (who would later design the Lotus Elise). Only one was made and it has been hidden from the public for decades. Until now it has changed ownership $62,500 (€60,000 at the current exchange rate).
The 1990 Lotus Elan M200 Speedster is a one-off prototype designed by Julian Thompson. It was introduced at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show, where its bold, futuristic design attracted a lot of attention. It was based on the Lotus Elan M100, developed under the ownership of General Motors and was front-wheel drive, when Lotuses were traditionally powered.
The origin
Maybe he Lotus Elan M100 on which it was based was one of the biggest failures of the British company, which wanted to manufacture a mass-selling sports car for the American market. Paradoxically, the car that defeated it was inspired by the original Elan of the early 1960s.
We are referring to the Mazda MX-5 (or Mazda Miata), which in addition to having rear-wheel drive had a much lower price. The design and engineering of the Japanese were copied from the original Elan: steel structure chassis with four-cylinder in-line engine mounted in the front and center, independent front and rear suspension, reduced weight, retractable headlights and simple folding soft top.
Why didn’t Lotus go that route? It had been purchased by General Motors in 1986, which provided funds and an order: a sports car that would sell more than 5,000 units a year, in addition to working on projects such as the active suspension prototype of the Corvette C4 and the ZR1 version of that generation. With fresh money came a steel-frame chassis and lightweight fiberglass body…and front-wheel drive.
The engine and transmission came from Isuzu, a 1.6 gasoline inline four-cylinder with double overhead camshafts, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions. Power reached the front wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission. Testers at the time called it “the best front-wheel drive car ever made,” but it was going to be a tough sell with the Miata so cheap.
The Elan M100 remained in production for two series, from 1989 to 1995. In those years only 4,700 units were manufactured in total. By the way, Kia bought the rights and tools of the model and sold it as Kia Elan from 1996 to 1999. Only 1,056 units, which today are highly valued.
Lesson learned, Lotus Elise It debuted in 1996 with a completely new aluminum chassis, rear mid-engine… and rear-wheel drive. It immediately became one of the fetishes of fans of the brand, forgetting its predecessor.
Between the two, this Lotus Elan M200 Speedster, based on the brand’s “ugly duckling.” After its presentation it appeared in many motoring magazines, attracting a lot of interest, especially for its design, with a front with low-profile fixed headlights, a deeper front spoiler with inserted fog lights and special ducts to cool the brakes.
We love the tinted windshield low-profile wraparound, with a body-color roll hoop and subtle rear spoiler. Quite a feat of automotive design from the early 1990s. Of course, after its pilgrimage to automobile shows, it disappeared. It was purchased by a Lotus dealer in the UK. Then it came into the hands of the Lotus collector Olav Glasiuswho restored the car and it became a key part of his collection… until last week.
