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New models replace the outgoing Elise (1.6) and
Elise S
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Weight reduction of 10 kg in both new Elise
models
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New colour and trim options, including
classic tartan interior
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Elise Sport priced from £29,900 / €39,900* (MSRP)
The Lotus Elise Sport and Elise Sport 220 mark a
return the iconic ‘Sport’ naming designation, used previously on
the famed Lotus Esprit and with it the Lotus Elise package
becomes lighter, and even more performance-focused.
20 years ago, the Lotus Elise revolutionised the
sports car world, setting the benchmark for handling, purity of
the driving experience, lightweight and efficiency. Its
pioneering and advanced bonded aluminium chassis was a
market-leading technological innovation at the time and over the
years has improved and evolved and remains core to the Elise’s
exceptional performance today.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented, “We have
further refined, distilled and sharpened the driving experience
offered by our best selling sports car of the last 20 years, the
Lotus Elise. These two new models, the Elise Sport and Sport 220
revive the iconic ‘Sport’ naming designation and are both worthy
of wearing this badge. Over the years, with each improvement to
the Elise, we have ensured that the purity of the driving
experience has been retained and improved upon and with these
two new models, we have taken it on to the next level.”
Both the new Elise Sport and Elise Sport 220
benefit from a significant weight reduction of 10 kg, a result
of the continued central design philosophy of Lotus – ‘lighter,
faster’ and the perpetual quest to reduce weight of all
constituent parts and in some cases remove unnecessary parts
altogether.
Weighing just 866 kg, the Elise Sport sets a benchmark in class
- a sports car that both enthusiasts and newcomers to the brand
will find it easy to fall in love with. Lightweight, efficient
and completely pure in its driving experience, its handling and
quickness in road holding remain the envy of all its rivals.
The Elise Sport 220 represents the perfect blend
of power and dynamism in a more focused performance package.
Weighing just 914 kg, with peak power of 217 hp and torque of
250 Nm, 0-60 mph is achieved in just 4.2 seconds, and a top
speed of 145 mph is possible. However, it is once again in the
area of vehicle dynamics that the Elise Sport 220 excels,
offering an even purer driving experience when compared to the
previous Elise S model, due largely to the further weight-saving,
aided in part by a new lightweight sports battery.
Lightweight sports seats in leather, Alcantara or classic tartan
trim as an option are a further sign of sports intentions. First
introduced in 1976 in the Lotus Esprit S1, tartan interior
references a time when making a statement was everything, a
concept still central to Lotus’ design philosophy.
Sport mode is standard fitment in the Elise
Sport and Sport 220, and sharpens the experience further by
increasing throttle response, altering traction slip thresholds
and removing understeer recognition, allowing enhanced control
before intervention and offering an even closer connection
between driver and machine. Bilstein sports dampers further
contribute to scalpel sharp steering feeling and provide
heightened feedback from the road.
With reduced weight comes increased efficiency and a reduction
in fuel consumption, a power to weight ratio of 155 bhp/tonne
for the Elise Sport and 237 bhp/tonne for the Sport 220 the
result. Fuel consumption is an impressive 56.0 mpg (extra urban)
the Elise Sport and 47.6 mpg (extra urban) for the Sport 220,
further cementing the Elise’s tag as one of the most efficient
sports cars in sector.
Alongside a weight reduction is a reduction in price. The Elise
Sport model is now priced at £29,900 / €39,900 (MSRP) with the
Elise Sport 220 priced at £36,500 / €48,700 (MSRP).
A range of classic Elise colours are available – Solid Red,
Solid Yellow, Metallic Green, Metallic Blue, Metallic Silver,
Metallic White, Metallic Grey, Metallic Orange, Metallic Black
and Signature Grey, with rear diffuser in matt black.
Lightweight silver or black cast wheels (16” front, 17” rear)
are standard fitment and there is an optional upgrade to a
forged wheel design that saves a further 5 kg from total unladen
weight.
The Elise is Lotus’ most successful model in terms of numbers
built, with a total of 32,000 manufactured and sold globally. In
addition to the Elise, the Lotus small platform technology has
been used to great success in the Lotus Exige, Lotus Europa and
Lotus 2-Eleven models, all of which are, or have been
manufactured by Lotus at its Headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk.
The Lotus Elise Sport and Elise Sport 220 go on sale in Europe
in December 2015 and will be available to the rest of the world
from January 2016.
Images: Copyright
Group Lotus |
