Lotus Excel History

The Excel (1982–1992) developed the Eclat into a more robust grand tourer by adopting numerous Toyota components — the W58 gearbox, driveshafts, and rear differential from the A60 Supra — under a Lotus partnership with Toyota, improving reliability and drivetrain durability.

Built on the familiar galvanised backbone chassis with a vacuum-injected fibreglass body and the 2.2-litre Lotus 912 engine, it was praised for its 50:50 balance and cornering. Roughly 2,000 were built at Hethel before it was discontinued in 1992.