Lotus Elan +2 – pure driving pleasure for families

LOTUS
ELAN +2

Officially referred to as the Lotus +2

THE NEW TYPE 50 WAS NAMED SIMPLY THE LOTUS +2

A road-going racing car focused for pure driving pleasure, the +2 was for the discerning motorist who wanted renowned Lotus road-holding coupled to an attractive two plus two body. As Colin Chapman grew older, he continued to say that he designed cars which he wanted to drive, and the new Type 50, the Lotus +2, represented a more, family-orientated version of the sporting Elan, and a definite move up-market. The main purpose of the +2 was to accommodate in an extra pair of seats for children, or possibly adults on short trips.

ENGINEERED TO A HIGHER DEGREE OF LUXURY

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A lengthened version of familiar front and rear back-bone chassis arrangement of the original Elan was retained for the +2.

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OCTOBER 1972 SAW THE INTRODUCTION OF A 5-SPEED GEARBOX

To push the car upmarket, make it more luxurious and improve quality, all +2 S, S130 and S130/5 cars, would be fully factory built and assembled. Lotus promotional material concentrated on the comfort and safety aspects of the new model rather than the previously lauded ‘performance’ aspects of a Lotus car. The Hethel factory could build 20 Elan +2 cars a week and sales figures were strong. The +2 opened Lotus up to a new clientele that would stay with the company for many years to come.

THE MOST POPULAR COLOUR WOULD BE METALLIC PURPLE

Taking its place alongside vehicles costing twice the price, the +2S 130 has all the design experience and engineering integrity that you would expect from a manufacturer with World Championship traditions.

ELAN +2 STATISTICS

Name Lotus Elan +2
Lotus Type No: 50
Year of production 1967-1970
Volume 1,592
Engine 1,558cc, 4-cylinder
Power output 118bhp
Transmission 4-speed
Weight 853kg

Name Lotus Elan +2S
Lotus Type No: 50
Year of production 1969-1971
Volume 3576
Engine 1,558cc, 4-cylinder
Power output 118bhp
Transmission 4-speed
Weight 884kg

NameLotus Elan +2S/130
Lotus Type No: 50
Year of production 1971-1974
Volume 2088
Engine 1,558cc, 4-cylinder
Power output 126bhp
Transmission 5-speed
Weight 948kg

SPECIAL
EDITIONS

BLACK & GOLD COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

Lotus took the opportunity to produce the Type 50 in a commemorative model with a special paint scheme. In 1973, and to celebrate the 50th Grand Prix win for Team Lotus by Emerson Fittipaldi in a Type 72 at the Spanish GP that year, around 100 Black & Gold editions of the Type 50, +2S/130 were built.