Lotus Eclat

Lotus Eclat at a glance

The Eclat belongs to the generation of 1970s Lotus models that also included the mid-engined Lotus Esprit. All models are listed in the Lotus catalogue, and the story of the company is told in our history of Lotus.

History and design

The Eclat was announced in October 1975 and shown at the Earls Court motor show. During development it was to be called the "Elite Coupé". Lotus's in-house designer Oliver Winterbottom had already drawn the angular Elite (Type 75); for the Eclat he extended that profile into a fastback.

The lower half of the glass-fibre body was identical to that of the Elite. The fastback shape gave the Eclat a cleaner silhouette and a proper boot, but less headroom for the rear passengers than in the Elite. According to Lotus, Colin Chapman wanted more practical sports cars to bring the brand into the mainstream, and the Eclat was aimed at grand touring and everyday driving rather than outright track performance.

Lotus itself presents the two cars together as a bold new direction for the brand in the 1970s: larger, more comfortable four-seaters that could be used every day.

Engine, gearbox and chassis

The Series 1 used the Lotus type 907 engine, a 1,973 cc four-cylinder with 120 kW (160 bhp). For the Series 2.2 of 1980, Lotus fitted the 2,174 cc type 912. Because of emissions rules its power stayed at 120 kW (160 bhp), but it produced more torque over a wider range, which improved performance and fuel economy at a time of rising petrol prices.

Early cars could be ordered with a four-speed Ford gearbox or a five-speed Lotus gearbox using Austin Maxi components; later cars used a Getrag five-speed. A three-speed automatic was optional. The brakes were discs at the front and inboard drums at the rear.

The chassis is Lotus's steel backbone. On the first cars it was made of mild steel, and a felt strip between the body and a steel cross-member trapped water in damp climates, which led to corrosion at the rear. The Series 2 cars received a galvanised chassis as standard, and many Series 1 cars have since been fitted with galvanised replacements.

Series 2.2, Riviera and Sprint

Besides the larger engine, the Series 2.2 brought a front spoiler blended more smoothly into the body, new sills below the doors, electrically operated (instead of vacuum-operated) pop-up headlamps and a new external tailgate catch.

The Eclat Sprint was essentially a Series 1 with a special paint scheme in Union Jack colours on the rear quarter panels; its name referred to the Elan Sprint. Wikipedia adds that the Sprint versions of the 520 and 521 trim levels also had an oil cooler and performance upgrades.

The Eclat S2.2 Riviera of 1981–1982 mirrored the Elite Riviera announced in December 1981. It had a removable roof panel, a vinyl roof covering, a vented bonnet and a rear spoiler, with luxuries such as air conditioning, leather seats and electric windows. According to Wikipedia, 73 of the 223 Series 2.2 cars were Rivieras.

Trim levels

Series 1 cars were sold in several trim levels with numbers from 520 to 524. The 524 had the automatic gearbox. The motoring press of the time praised the Eclat's handling and grip, and its fuel consumption was considered reasonable compared with larger multi-cylinder grand tourers.

Legacy

In 1982 the Eclat developed into the Eclat Excel, later sold simply as the Lotus Excel. It kept the same engine but had a modified chassis, a revised body and a Toyota gearbox, driveline and brakes.