1975 also saw the launch of the Eclat. This was a derivative of the Elite with more conventional rear end styling.
The American market hadn't taken to the radical styling of the Elite and sales suffered.
Like with the Elite, 1980 saw the 2174cc engine being fitted to the Eclat.
1982 saw the Eclat being developed into the Eclat Excel, before further development led to the Excel model, which due to its cheaper price, sold in greater numbers and confined the Eclat name to the Lotus vaults.
Once the Eclat had been launched, US sales picked up, though the name was later changed to Sprint for the US only.
A Special Edition Riviera model was also launced in 1980, with extra equipment, a lift out roof panel and a rear spoiler.
