Kia As soon as Constructed a Lotus Sports activities Automobile for Japan Alone, This One May Be Yours for the Proper Value

Most drivers take note of a pure British roadster from the early Nineteen Nineties, the Lotus Elan, however solely a small group of followers are conscious of the unusual story of the Kia Vigato that adopted. After the unique Elan M100 run led to 1995, Kia purchased the entire manufacturing tooling from Lotus. The corporate then assembled the automobile in Korea and shipped examples to Japan below the Vigato identify.

It’s a wierd footnote in Kia historical past, and one of many decade’s most underappreciated sports activities automobiles. The Lotus Elan M100 was constructed round a light-weight front-wheel-drive chassis with double-wishbone suspension in any respect 4 corners, giving it the crisp, assured dealing with that all of us take pleasure in. When Kia took over the molds, the chassis remained virtually unchanged. The tip consequence was a automobile that also appeared completely balanced and drove easily, however with a number of changes to go well with their new proprietor.

The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, a naturally aspirated beast, produces 151 horsepower and delivers it to the entrance wheels by way of a five-speed guide. It accomplishes the job effectively, with sprightly acceleration that by no means goes overboard. Drivers can merely shift simply and expertise a direct connection between pedal and highway. Brakes are discs throughout, and the suspension absorbs bumps whereas remaining rooted even when making abrupt path adjustments. By way of gasoline financial system, it’s fairly respectable for a convertible with a touch of sportiness.

Visually, the automobile retains the unique Elan strains, with a low wedge form, clear surfaces… you get the concept. Pop-up headlights are a pleasant function as a result of they sit flush when switched off and spring up properly whenever you flip the change. The rear spoiler is small, and the fenders are stuffed with nice16-inch OZ Racing wheels. The present instance incorporates a smooth white paint job, a black mushy prime that folds over by hand, and Yokohama tires to maintain the whole lot in place on the highway. Oh, and yet another factor: earlier homeowners had some enjoyable with the badges, changing them with Lotus emblems… even if the chassis plate nonetheless proudly states that it’s a real Kia Vigato from 1997.

Contained in the cabin, colourful textile inserts that match the door panels add a splash of colour to the black vinyl seats. A Mitsubishi head unit handles the audio, and an exquisite old school analog clock sits to the facet of the gauges. Customary options embody energy home windows and mirrors, in addition to air-con to maintain you snug. The instrument cluster shows a speedometer with a most pace of 240km/h and a tachometer with a maxes out at 6500rpm. An upgraded wood-rimmed steering wheel with a cool MOMO horn button offers it a pleasant private contact. Even with two adults within the automobile, area isn’t an issue on longer excursions, and there’s nonetheless room behind the seats for a number of gadgets.

It seems that virtually all the Vigatos that rolled off the meeting line by no means made it out of Japan, the place they only blended in with the site visitors. A number of made their approach to North America by way of personal imports, no much less. The 1997 Vigato now supplied for public sale on Deliver a Trailer has solely 53,000 kilometers on the clock. This Canadian import arrived in late 2022, full with an Ontario registration and a clear historical past report. A few of the underbody items present rust, however the primary physique and all mechanicals look like in high quality situation. Bidding started modestly and can proceed by way of April ninth.
[Source]