U.K. automaker Lotus has had a tough go at it in recent years, but the brand known for lightweight, agile performance cars is staging its return with an updated new vehicle.
After managing to correct its financial course, it appears the company is planning a big return with an updated Elise supercar. The Elise is often considered the company’s most famous car, and now Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales has confirmed its reintroduction with a production date of 2020.
With the pending return, it looks like Lotus is also set to make a profit for the first time in 20 years. The next generation of the Elise will still be a light and fun roadster with an aluminum chassis like that of the Elise S1 from 1996, but the update will sport some changes, including a major weight reduction, a longer and wider shape, and a simple and sleek interior cabin. Speed and power will come from a powerful Toyota engine that produces 150 horses to nearly 250 hp in the S/supercharged model.