Interesting Facts About the Lotus Excel 89
The Lotus Excel (Type 89) is a front‑engined, rear‑wheel‑drive sports car that was designed and built by Lotus Cars from 1982 to 1992. It debuted as a 2+2 grand tourer and marked the end of Lotus’s front‑engine, RWD lineage.
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Launch and Production Run
The Excel was introduced in 1982 and remained in production for a full decade, ending its build in 1992. This ten‑year span makes it one of Lotus’s longest‑running models of the era.
Toyota Collaboration and Evolution
Developed in collaboration with Toyota, the Excel was a revised version of the earlier Lotus Eclat. The partnership added increased efficiency and all‑round performance to the Lotus grand tourer platform.
Three Major Revisions – The Last Front‑Engine RWD Lotus
During its ten‑year life, the Excel underwent three major revisions, reflecting continual improvement. It also holds the distinction of being the last Lotus model with a front‑engine, rear‑wheel‑drive layout.
Lotus Excel Parts
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