Lotus Elite Type 75
The world's first luxury shooting brake with a mid-engine soul.
- Power
- 155 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 8.1 s
- Top speed
- 125 mph
- Est. value
- $4k–$18k
About the Lotus Elite Type 75
The Type 75 Elite marked a radical departure for Lotus, moving the brand upmarket with a focus on luxury and practicality. Designed by Oliver Winterbottom, its distinctive 'shooting brake' wedge profile offered genuine four-seat accommodation and a glass hatchback, all while maintaining Colin Chapman's principles of lightweight engineering. It was the first production car to use the Lotus 907 16-valve engine, which would later power the Esprit. While its styling remains polarising, the Elite is celebrated for its exceptional handling and ride quality, though it was hampered by reliability issues and high pricing when new.
Lotus Elite Type 75 specs
The Lotus Elite Type 75 produces 155 bhp (116 kW) and 183 Nm (135 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).
| Make | Lotus |
|---|---|
| Model | Elite |
| Generation | Type 75 |
| Trim | 2.0 |
| Years | 1974–1982 |
| Type | Sports car |
| Body style | Shooting Brake |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 2,535 built |
| Original price | About $16,000 when new |
| Engine | 2.0-litre DOHC inline-4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,973 cc (2.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 155 bhp (116 kW) at 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 183 Nm (135 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 7,000 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 8.1 s |
| Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,043 kg (2,299 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 149 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Lotus Elite Type 75 worth?
A typical Lotus Elite Type 75 is estimated to be worth $4,000 – $18,000 (about £3,000 – £13,000).
Its original price when new was about $16,000.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Lotus Elite Type 75 rarity in CarSpot
The Lotus Elite Type 75 is a Rare card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 45 out of 100. Performance cars, typically worth around £50,000 to £100,000. A Rare card is worth 40 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Lotus Elite Type 75 fun facts
- At its 1974 launch, the Lotus Elite was the most expensive four-cylinder car in the world.
- The Elite's fiberglass body was produced in two halves (upper and lower) using a vacuum-assisted resin injection process, a pioneering technique for the time.
- The car achieved a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.30, aiding its performance despite the modest engine size.
