Lotus Elite 0–60 Times
The Lotus Elite 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 2 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver and Road & Track and more.
The fastest tested Lotus Elite is the 1974 Lotus Elite 3-door Hatchback, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 8.60 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 16.70 seconds at 83.5 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested Lotus Elite is the 1975 Lotus Elite 3-door Hatchback, which took 11.10 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 18.40 seconds at 78.0 mph, according to Road & Track.
Out of all the Lotus Elite tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 9.85 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 17.55 seconds at 80.75 mph.
Fastest 0–60
8.60sec
1974 3-door Hatchback · stock
Average 0–60
9.85sec
Across 2 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
17.55sec
@ 80.8 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
11.10sec
1975 3-door Hatchback
Across 2 verified runs, the Lotus Elite ranges from 8.60 to 11.10 seconds 0–60, with a 9.85-second average.
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Lotus Elite 0–60 Times by Generation
1 generation| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 75 | 1974–1982 | 9.85s | 8.60s — 1974 3-door Hatchback | 2 | The Type 75 generation (1974–1982) averaged 9.85 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1974 3-door Hatchback at 8.60 seconds. Output was 155 hp across 2.0L I-4 configurations. |
Type 75
1974–1982
Avg 0–60
9.85s
Fastest
8.60s
Tests
2
1974 3-door Hatchback
The Type 75 generation (1974–1982) averaged 9.85 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1974 3-door Hatchback at 8.60 seconds. Output was 155 hp across 2.0L I-4 configurations.
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Lotus Elite 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
2 tests · 2 years
▾
1975 Lotus Elite
1 verified run
Avg 0–60
11.10
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
18.40
sec
Recorded Tests
1
#02
1975 Lotus Elite 3-door Hatchback
11.10sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
18.40s
¼ mi @ 78.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 11.10 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 18.40 sec
- Trap Speed
- 78.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L I-4
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- Horsepower
- 155 hp
- Torque
- 140 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,300 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 14.8 lbs/hp
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Hatchback
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Road & Track
- Overall Rank
- #2 of 2
How we verify Lotus Elite performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Lotus Elite trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Lotus Elite 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Lotus Elite performance FAQs
6 questions
The quickest Lotus Elite on record is the 1974 Lotus Elite 3-door Hatchback, which runs 0–60 mph in 8.60 seconds and clears the quarter-mile in 16.70 seconds at 83.5 mph.
The slowest recorded Lotus Elite is the 1975 Lotus Elite 3-door Hatchback, which takes 11.10 seconds to reach 60 mph and runs 18.40 seconds in the quarter.
Averaged across all 2 verified runs, a Lotus Elite reaches 60 mph in 9.85 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 17.55 seconds at roughly 80.8 mph.
We have verified test data for 2 model years. Each year shows every recorded run, the publication that measured it, and the trim-level details.
Every figure is sourced from published road tests by Car and Driver and Road & Track. We don't use manufacturer claims — only independently timed runs — so the numbers reflect what the car actually does.
0–60 and quarter-mile results depend on driver technique, ambient temperature, tire condition, road surface, altitude, and testing instrumentation. A published figure is a single sample, not an absolute — which is why we show the range of verified runs rather than one number.
Sources
Car and Driver
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Lotus Elite can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Lotus 0–60 times
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