It is a British-built car, manufactured between 1979 and 1981 by Chrysler UK, which was sold to Peugeot before any cars were officially offered for sale.  With the exception of a few pre-production examples, therefore, all cars were known as "Talbot Sunbeam Lotus".

The basic Talbot Sunbeam was a small hatchback designed to rival the VW Golf and Ford Fiesta.  It had been engineered in record-breaking time, and to achieve this carried over the basic layout and shortened chassis of the Hillman/Chrysler Avenger (sold in Europe as a Sunbeam and briefly in the US as the Plymouth Cricket).  This meant that the Sunbeam appeared with rear wheel drive in deference to the more modern front-drive competition, but this was to have benefits to the Chrysler/Talbot Competitions Department, who struck a deal with Lotus to buy some of their 2 litre engines as used in Esprits/Eclats/Elites and the Jensen Healey.  Having convinced Chrysler management of its potential, production progressed with Lotus re-designing the engine to 2.2 litres and also working on suspension and exhaust systems as well as fitting the drivetrain at a new facility in Norfolk.  Early cars were only available in Embassy Black, with silver side stripes and grey interior.  Later on, after some cosmetic changes had been introduced, black was replaced with Moonstone Blue with a choice of either silver or black stripes.  A further option was provided by a small coachbuilding company who produced the limited "Avon" version, which added dark blue to the light Moonstone base and a plush blue interior.

About 2300 cars were built, of which about half were exported to Europe.

The rally versions were homologated into Group 4 and then Group 2, before being transferred to Group B.  Outright victories on the Arctic Rally, Mille Pistes, Lombard RAC and Codasur rallies were combined with numerous class wins that culminated in the World Rally Championship for Makes in 1981.

Standard cars have 150 or 155 bhp, and it is not too difficult to increase this to about 180bhp while keeping the car fairly sensible. 200bhp+ involves a bit more work and will probably see driveability suffer - and petrol bills soar.  The works rally cars peaked at about 245bhp and anything more than this (for competition use only) would be taking you onto thin ice without increasing the capacity (it has been done!) or adding a turbo (likewise!)

Road cars will hit 60mph in 6.6 seconds, works rally cars in 5.0 seconds.  Top speeds; over 125mph in standard trim, or lower depending on gearing.
© Sunbeam Lotus Owners' Club 1996-2023