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50th anniversary edition celebrates founding of Hethel
site
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Hand finished, with lightweight carbon components as
standard
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899 kg kerb weight delivers pure and precise driving
experience
In a celebration of style and lightweight performance, and
helping mark the 50th anniversary of the company’s famous Hethel site, Lotus has
revealed the latest addition to its collection: the exclusive Elise 250 Special
Edition.
Based on the critically acclaimed Elise Cup 250 launched earlier this year, but
featuring a raft of exclusive components as standard, the new Lotus Elise 250
Special Edition offers an outstanding combination of performance and panache.
With a supercharged 243 hp engine, a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds, and a unique,
hand-finished interior, it perfectly defines the quintessential British
sportscar in this celebration year.
As an antidote to sterilised and staid modern cars, Lotus’ approach continues to
deliver the purest, undiluted driving experience. Tipping the scales at just 899
kg, through the utilisation of advanced materials including carbon fibre and
aluminium, the Elise 250 Special Edition remains true to the company’s
philosophy of ‘Light is Right’ and is capable of humbling far more common, yet
expensive, rivals.
Powered by a high-output, supercharged, 1.8-litre 4-cylinder
engine, the Elise 250 Special Edition boasts 243 hp (246 PS) at 7200 rpm and 250
Nm of torque between 3500 rpm and 5500 rpm. This, along with the car’s 899kg
kerb weight, contributes to the impressive 270 hp/tonne headline figure. However,
far from being solely performance orientated, the Elise 250 Special Edition is
designed to appeal aesthetically as well as dynamically. A selection of
beautifully finished carbon-fibre components come as standard, including a front
splitter, rear wing, tailgate and front access panel, all giving the car
considerable kerb appeal.
Drawing inspiration from some of the company’s most alluring
models, the new Elise is the perfect blend of both style and substance. As
befitting a hand-built sports car from one of the world’s most famous marques,
it’s beautifully detailed and conceived as a tribute to one of countless Lotus
fans’ favourite cars. The Lotus Elan, launched in 1963, established itself as
one of the icons of 60’s motoring and even became a star of screen in hit TV
shows of the time, including the classic series The Avengers.
Draped in a composite body and finished in one of four of the firm’s favourite
colours, the Elise 250 Special Edition is limited to just 50 examples. With a
high specification as standard, it combines traditional British craftsmanship
with the best of contemporary design. From the hand-made carbon components, to
the hand-finished leather seats, it sets the benchmark for exclusive sports cars.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented, “When we first introduced
the Elise, it redefined how involving and exciting, yet civilised, a sports car
could be. As the Elise was conceived, designed, engineered and is built at
Hethel, we wanted a 50th tribute that’s even lighter than the fastest road-going
Elise we’ve ever produced. The new Elise 250 Special Edition achieves that, so
it’s supremely quick and agile, but it’s also wonderfully finished and stunning
to look at.”
Helping celebrate the company’s 50 years in Norfolk, the car is
available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Elise 250 Special Edition is
the latest in a series of unique products marking this significant milestone in
the company’s history.
The performance and handling characteristics of every Lotus are developed on the
famous site’s test track. Over the last 50 years it’s been responsible for
honing all the company’s historic models, including the Elan, and Esprit, as
well its fastest ever cars, the amazing Evora 400 and ballistic 3-Eleven.
Lotus Elise 250 Special Edition
The Elise 250 Special Edition is available in choice of four colours, each a
long-standing favourite over the last 50 years. Classic metallic blue, red,
yellow and white finishes are all complemented by ultralight forged wheels in
silver, or black as an option. An optional carbon fibre hardtop roof panel is
also available.
The same attention to detail continues inside, with the carbon-fibre sports
seats finished in either dark blue or dark grey leather, and stitched with a
choice of contrasting colours. The car’s door trim is afforded the same
hand-stitched finish.
Despite its sophistication, the Elise 250 Special Edition is
just at home on the track as it is on Bond Street. The new car laps the
company’s Hethel test circuit in 1 minute 34 seconds, the fastest recorded time
for a production road-going Elise. The car carries over the same suspension and
braking components from the Elise Cup 250, including Bilstein sports dampers and
Eibach coaxial coil springs and double wishbone suspension. AP Racing
twin-piston front calipers, and Brembo single-piston rear calipers work in
conjunction with the track-tuned ABS system.
Fitted with a slick, six-speed manual gearbox, the Elise 250 Special Edition
includes an Electronic Differential Lock as standard to give better traction and
faster exit speeds when cornering.
The new Elise also features driver selectable ESP modes, providing ‘Sport’ and
‘Race’ settings. Proportionally increasing throttle response, lowering traction
slip thresholds and removing understeer recognition, it allows enhanced control
before the system intervenes.
An integrated in-car entertainment system can also be specified, including iPod®
connectivity and Bluetooth® functionality, along with air conditioning, cruise
control, auxiliary driving lights, full carpets, floor mats and enhanced sound
insulation.
The new Elise 250 Special Edition can also be personalised
through the Lotus Exclusive programme. Combining craftsmanship with modern
design, the service inspires customers to spend time tailoring the character of
their Lotus with a comprehensive array of options to suit any budget.
News of the special edition follows the Lotus Elise’s success as Readers’
Champion at the prestigious Autocar Awards. From a starting roster of 50, tens
of thousands of motoring fans voted for the iconic car as part of an online
competition.
The hand-built sports car from Norfolk has long been regarded as a benchmark
within the industry, providing a level of precision and driver involvement that
rivals can’t match. Perfectly tuned for British roads the Lotus Elise,
intelligently equipped and surprisingly usable, allows owners to enjoy driving
day in, day out.
Images copyright Group Lotus PLC
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