The current Lotus Elite is 179.5″ long, 71.7″ wide, on a 97.6″ wheelbase, weighing 0 lb. At 15 feet it fits a standard garage and fits a street parking space.
Every Lotus Elite generation, measured
One row per generation. Watch the weight column — that is where most of the change happens, and it is the number that decides fuel use, tyre wear and how far the car takes to stop.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 179.5″ | 71.7″ | 47.6″ | 97.6″ | 2,161 lb |
| 1981–1982 | 179.5″ | 71.7″ | 47.2″ | 97.6″ | — |
Elite year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 3 years on record. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are new platforms.
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 179.5″ | 71.7″ | 97.6″ | 1 | |
| 1981 | 179.5″ | 71.7″ | 97.6″ | 1 | |
| 1978 | 179.5″ | 71.7″ | 97.6″ | 1 |
Will a Elite fit
The practical question behind every dimensions search. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep; a street parking space is about 18. We allow a foot of clearance in both — nobody parks to the millimetre.
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 15 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 15 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 6 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 941 vehicles within ten inches of the same length — a fair proxy for «cars of this size», regardless of what the marketing calls them.
| Measure | This car | Typical car of this length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 71.7″ | 71.3″ | +0.4″ |
| Wheelbase | 97.6″ | 105.1″ | -7.5″ |
| Curb weight | 0 lb | 3,404 lb | -3,404 lb |
A longer wheelbase for the same overall length means shorter overhangs — usually more cabin space and a steadier ride. Lighter than typical for its size generally means better fuel economy and shorter stopping distances.
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
- Exact build, engine and factory options for one VIN
- The original window sticker as it left the factory
- What that specific configuration is worth today
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we measure
Dimensions come from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records — manufacturer-declared figures, held in metric and converted to inches and pounds for display.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and a table of forty near-identical rows helps nobody. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Lotus Elite?
179.5″ (14′ 12″) in its current generation, 71.7″ wide and 47.2″ tall.
How much does a Lotus Elite weigh?
0 lb at the kerb.
Will a Elite fit in a garage?
At 15 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet is comfortable.
Has the Elite got bigger over the years?
Not materially, by the generations we hold.