Lotus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales has confirmed that the small automaker will launch the next-generation Elise in 2020.

The 2020 Elise will be the brand’s first all-new model launched since Gales has led the company and despite the model growing slightly in size, it will still tip the scales at less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), reports Autocar.

Underpinning the next-gen Elise will be an updated version of the aluminium chassis currently in use and unlike the existing model, the new one will be developed to comply with U.S. crash regulations, opening up the popular model to the world’s largest sports car market.

Additional details about the new Elise are difficult to come by but according to Gales, the brand will be selling about 4,000 units annually when it arrives. Approximately two years after, the new Lotus Exige will launch.

Prior to the arrival of the new Elise, Lotus will continue to develop and improve its existing Elise, Exige and Evora models.

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