Spotted on Autoscout

[HC180]

https://www.autoscout24.de/angebote/lot ... ce_otp=t10

[MetBlue]

What's going on under the bonnet????
Looks to have top strut brace and a big accumulator for something.
Tony

[HC180]

A Google translation of the advert:

Lotus Excel 2.2 liter

Beautiful Lotus Excel, fully restored, 106000 miles.

This very special Lotus Excel is a one-off.

The vehicle was built by hand in a small series.
Originally, the vehicle was used by Lotus itself to test special chassis components that were developed in a collaboration between Lotus, Toyota and Williams.
These parts were replaced by standard chassis components as part of the restoration. The vehicle was fully restored in a recognized specialist workshop (classic car specialist).

These special chassis components are shown on a 2x3.5m display and can be taken over free of charge.

[TrevorK]

What's going on under the bonnet????
Looks to have top strut brace and a big accumulator for something.
Tony

Yes, it does lool like a strut brace between modified suspension towers. I think the accumulator may be a relocated, enlarged header tank. Maybe the strut got in the way of the tank's standard location.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

? Active suspension mule, now reconverted to normal dampers and springs?

[fueltheburn]

What a shame. This looks the one off active suspension excel. It had Moog valves for suspension. It was sold a few years back without the controller in the rear as the controller went missing after it was borrowed for a land speed record car. WindyHethel was the previous owner.

Its a travesty that they converted it to standard suspension. There is a YouTube clip somewhere of this at Hethel alongside the active suspension esprit.

It was last sold for around the 10k mark. It was on my list of ultimate projects to return back to original spec.