1987 Lotus Excel SE - today's tempter

By: Guy Allen - Unique Cars magazine

Date: 09.07.2018

Rare coupe

1987 Lotus Excel SE

This is definitely one that you're unlikley to have trouble findng in a carpark. Very few are in the country and, despite the fact they were built for a decade, the production numbers were not huge.

The Excel was developed at a tme when Toyota was in partnership with the company, so this model ended up with a five-speed Toyota transmission and driveline.

Meanwhile the engine is a four-cylinder 2.2lt Lotus unit, in this model tuned for 180hp.

It runs a front engine and rear drive configuration and seems to enjoy a very good reputation for its handling.

Though fairly well received in the UK, it was never sold in the USA even though a pre-production car was built for that market.

This example is in Queensland and is priced at $29,500, which seems like a relatively modest entry into Lotus ownership.

Lotus Elise review

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