Elise Model Guide

Elise S1, 1996

Type 111

VIN: T 0017 onwards

Conceived as a low production model, the Elise has shattered sales expectations and returned Lotus to the forefront of sports car production. This car has also spawned some very interesting limited editions, including the 340R, the Exige coupe, and several motorsport derivatives.

The standard engine is a Rover K-series 1796cc with 4 cylinders in line, and mid mounted transversely. It has an aluminium engine block and aluminium cylinder head with double overhead camshaft, hydraulic tappets, and fuel injection. Peak power is 118bhp (88Kw) at 5500rpm, peak torque is 122 lb.ft (165Nm) at 3000rpm

Click here to see the S1 Brochure

GT1, 1997

Type 115

In 1997 Lotus unveiled the Lotus Elise GT1, a derivative of the Lotus Elise and powered by a 3.5 litre eight-cylinder engine. A Hewland six-speed sequential gear box helped transfer the 580 horsepower to the rear wheels. The body is carbon-fibre and the chassis is an aluminium unit borrowed from the Elise. Ventilated disc brakes were fitted on all four-corners. Performance is 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, and top speed is 200 mph.

Twin Turbo V8
Displacement 3506cc
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Horsepower 580 BHP at 7500 rpm
Torque 390Nm / 288lb/ft at 6500 rpm
0-60 mph in 3.8 sec
Top Speed 312 kph / 195 mph
Brakes: Vented Discs
Weight: 1052 kgs / 2315 lbs

For more info click here

Motorsport Elise, 2000

Designed for a special Lotus managed race series it features a tuned VHPD K-series engine giving in excess of 200bhp. This Elise based coupe has lots of carbon fibre components. (See also S1 Exige below)

50th Anniversary Edition, 1998

VIN: X 5463 - 5816

This is a special edition car based on the standard model. It was launched in late 1998 and only 50 were produced. It was available in one colour only, a metallic green with two tone green/beige leather seats.

Sport 190, January 2001

190hp Elise Sport for track use - it will not pass UK emission legislation. The Elise Sport has a power to weight ratio of 283.6 bhp per tonne. 0-62mph (0-100km/h) takes 4.4 seconds and 0-100mph (0-160km/h) takes 10.9 seconds. More info here

Heritage / Type 79 (JPS) ,1999

A limited run of 100 left-hand drive Elises in Black with gold wheels and grilles. The interior has a yellow/gold chamois effect seat panel and yellow/gold dash. These are a special run at the request of the Italian dealer network and although they are in JPS colours (gold instead of the original yellow), they are badged as 'Heritage' since Lotus don't hold the rights to the JPS mark. A limited run of 50 was planned in right-hand drive form and were sold as the Type 79. These were available with both standard and VVC engines.

Sport 135, 1998

VIN: X 5401-5450, 6001-6035

The Sport 135 was first launched as a limited run of 50 in November 1998, VIN: X 5401 - 5450. It has some improvements to increase the power to135bhp (although it seems 145bhp is not unusual). Other additions include close-ratio gearbox, sports exhaust, drilled brake discs (cast iron), blue tinted metallic silver paint (Quicksilver), dark blue hood, corbeau sport seats, silver roll over bar, racing steering wheel, headlamp covers, driving lights, and unique Sport 135 body graphics. The catalytic converter is replaced by a through pipe which means the car has to be homologated and this is the main reason for the limited first production run.

The second batch of cars were produced for the 1999 year (VIN: X 6001 - 6035) and had 111S wheels, tyres and spats, black painted fuel filler cap, matt finish alloy gear knob and Sport 135 '99' decals.

111S, 1999

VIN: X 5722

This car was originally called the Sprint and shown in a windowless format, but later re-named the 111S when it was launched at the Geneva Motorshow in 1999. The main difference on this model is that it has the Rover K-series 1.8 Variable Valve Control (VVC) engine which gives 143bhp giving improved performance figures of 0-60 in 5.38 secs, 0-100 in 14.4 secs, and a maximum speed 133mph.

The VVC progressively changes the cam profile, unlike the Honda VTEC engine which is more of an on/off action. These means that it also comes into effect lower down the rev range, giving a wider and smoother power band.

The 111S also features wider 225 section rear tyres and some controversial cosmetic changes such as new 6-spoke wheels, a spoiler, an egg-crate grille, and a carbon effect dash. It also has aluminium window winders and optional 111S decals.

This car was replaced by a 160bhp version of the standard engine named the Lotus Sport 160 in August 2000.

340R, 1999

VIN: Y 0004 to 0009, 9640+

Launched at the Hippodrome in London in August 1999. First called the 340R due to it's power to weight ratio (170bhp and 500kg) and because only 340 were built.

The 340R is powered by a 1.8-litre VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) K series engine producing 180PS. And in an extremely light car, equipped with a close ratio gearbox, giving a performance of 0-60mph in 4.4secs, and a top speed of 133mph (214km/h).

The addition of the power enhancement as part of the track pack (uprated ECU, no cat, motorsports silencer, 101 inlet cam pulley, 82deg t'stat, oil breather catch tank) give 195bhp. The dry weight of the standard car is 658kg, the power enhanced version being about 5kg less due to the lighter exhaust. The full track prepared car, stripped out and with the track pack weighs 571kg.

Millennium Special Edition, 2000

VIN: X 8177 (approx.)

Launched to mark the Millennium. This car included headlamp covers, 111s wheels and tyres (i.e. J7.5 with 225's), Atlantic Blue pearlescent paint, blue alcantara inserts on the doors and steering wheel and blue alcantara sill covers and inserts on the seats.

Sport 160, 2000

SVA: VIN: Y 0601 to 0650

WVTA: VIN: Y 0651 onwards

The Sport 160 was launched in February 2000. It featured an improved Sport 135 head with new cams and ECU. The first 50 cars had a GEMs ECU, later cars had a EFI Technology ECU. The GEMs unit lives in the engine bay, the EFI lives in the boot.

The first 50 Sport 160 cars underwent Single Vehicle type Approval (SVA) testing (identified by a VIN between 0601 and 0650), and are factory built with catalytic converters and 'Sport' exhaust to produce 160PS @ 7000 rpm and 178Nm torque @ 5000 rpm.

Subsequent cars were Whole Vehicle Type Approved (WVTA) and were factory built with catalytic converters, 111S exhausts and dual intake air cleaner/muffler assemblies to produce approx. 150 PS. These cars were readily converted to 160 PS specification by carrying out an intake airbox modification, and fitting the 'sport' exhaust

In June 2000 Lotus announced two versions of this car, the Sport 160 and Sport 160S, and also deleted the 111S model. The former doesn't have the sports suspension, category 1 alarm or radio fitting kit as standard equipment. After VIN 1645 the sports suspension and seats became optional items.

The wheels are grey 5 spoke 'Race' wheels in 6" + 8" width with PZero tyres. It was originally available only in two new colours, 'scandal green' and 'metallic black', though the full colour range was made available.

The engine idles roughly and has less torque below 2500rpm than the standard car. A 190bhp engine upgrade kit was made available in July 2000.

In January 2003 Lotus released an update to the Sport 160 ECU map. The kit included a larger (48 to 52mm) throttle body and revised exhaust cam pulley, plus a re-mapped ECU. It offered improved drivability and better low down torque.

Parts Required (parts may be ordered seperately):
Upgrade Kit, Sport 160 A111E0084S comprising:

Toothed Pulley, exhaust camshaft A111E0082S
Throttle Body, 52mm A117E6090S
ECM, exchange A111E0083S

Exige, 2000

VIN: Y 0001 (Character 13 = 8) - model specific serial number sequence

Officially launched by Lotus at Brands Hatch at the first round of the Lotus Motor Sport Elise race series (9th April 2000). This fixed roof coupe has the same 170bhp engine as the 340R with option to upgrade to 190bhp. It features Lotus sport suspension, the close ratio gearbox and anthracite wheels. Large carbon rear wing similar to Esprit 350 Sport. Optional sports exhaust and 340R style seats are available.

0-60mph in a claimed 4.7 seconds and shares a lot of technology from the Motor Sport Elise car with several cooling intakes added including one on the roof. A lightweight glass fibre reinforced composite body is used featuring a deeper front splitter and a high level rear wing, giving improved downforce characteristics whilst minimising drag. The polycarbonate tailgate allows you to see the engine. It also features a higher geared steering rack (2.3 turns lock to lock) than the standard Elise.

As of October 2000, air-conditioning was made a standard fitment on the Exige.

More info here

M250, Frankfurt Motorshow 1999

The concept behind M250 is to produce another superlative driver’s car, in the same mould as the Elise, but with technical refinements and enhancements made possible through what we’ve learned from over 50 years of sportscar development."

Powered by a mid-mounted Lotus-tuned 3.0 litre V6 engine that drives the rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox, project M250 was aimed to slot into the Lotus line-up between the Elise and the Esprit. The M250 never made it into production

VX220, 2000

Type 116

Nicknamed the Skipton in Hethel during development, Lotus has worked in co-operation with designers and engineers from the Opel/Vauxhall International Technical Development Centre in Ruesselsheim, Germany, to build the VX200 (named the Speedster for the European market). Lotus built the original concept show car - one of the stars of the March 1999 Geneva Motorshow. Powered by Opel/Vauxhall's all-new, aluminium ECOTEC, 2.2-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine. Official site: http://www.speedster.opel.com/ More info here too

The VX220 Turbo was launched in 2003. The car used the 1.8-litre turbocharged engine from the Zafira GSi and Astra SRi but with power increased from 189bhp to 200bhp and torque climbing to over 190lb ft - expect a 0-60 time of well under five seconds and a top speed limited to 150mph.

Project Tornado (as the car is codenamed within Lotus and Vauxhall) had difficulties with engine cooling during development.

Lotus ceased production for General Motors subsidiaries Opel and Vauxhall in 2005.

Elise S2, 2000

Nicknamed the Monza in Hethel during development.

The first S2 built on the production line was chassis no. 012, 001-011 being the five development cars and the first six press cars. The first customer car built was chassis 122, all the cars built before those were dealer demo cars.

The smooth contours have faded in favour of a more aggressive angular image. Available with two options - the Sports Tourer or the Race Tech. The Sports Tourer option pack adds 14kg and the Race Tech option pack 12kg.

The Sports Tourer features leather seats, dashboard and door panels, fitted carpets and polished aluminium controls, a four speaker audio system, adjustable passenger footrest and additional cabin storage.

The Elise Race Tech cockpit offers a race inspired modern interior. Seats are trimmed with carbon, leather and alcantara. Cross-drilled discs and auxiliary lamps focus the driving experience on performance. Aluminium driver controls and two-speaker audio system complete the driver’s environment.

The rear diffuser is a finned and the optional one is a composite material. The fuel filler cap is a new motorbike style cap, the high level brake light moved to the roll bar cover and the boot now has separate lock mounted on it. The redesigned suspension features revised geometry, stiffer springs and Lotus tuned Bilstein dampers. It has new six-spoke wheels and tyres jointly developed with Bridgestone (Potenza RE040 tyres, 175/55R16 front, 225/45R17 rear).

The standard 1.8 K-series engine remains but Lotus and added their own Lotus K4 ECU and on-board diagnostics system to ensure EU compliance until at least 2004. With 120bhp and a close ratio gearbox as standard, it reaches 0-60 in approximately 5.6 seconds and 125mph top speed; 0-100mph time of approximately 17.5 secs.

Air Conditioning Option: February 2002. Cars with heater only continue unchanged, but a.c. cars use new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, incorporating face level vents, dual intake blower fan, air blender flap without water valve, electrical rotary controls with stepper motor operated flaps. Larger engine cooling radiator with twin fans. Coolant re-circulation pump. Cobra 8185/8186 security system.

Cobra 8185/8186 Vehicle Security System: February 2002 Fitted on all cars with a.c. (see above) and then as running change to heater cars during March. Cobra 8185 immobiliser becomes standard specification. 8186 optional upgrade to meet U.K. Thatcham 1 requirements, including self powered siren, selectable intrusion sensor, illuminated entry. In March 2002 a new Hard Top Roof and ‘Short’ Soft Top was introduced

2007 model Elise S uses 1ZZ-FE engine producing 100 kW, with variable inlet timing but fixed valve lift, plastic inlet manifold, revised intake snorkel, revised exhaust manifold and downpipe, smaller tailpipes within standard trims. Elise S also uses new C56 5-speed transmission and 6-spoke roadwheels sharing styling of standard '01 model wheels.

Click here to see the S2 Brochure, or here for more press release info.

Elise S2 Sport 135, 2002

VIN character 4 = M; Serial number from 4612

The Sport 135 upgrade to the standard Elise S2 was announced in January 2002. Initially only available on a limited number of new cars as a non-homologated upgrade. It features a ported cylinder head, the cast aluminium inlet system, introduced a stainless steel sports silencer and reprogrammed ECM to increase the power. A low restriction airbox has also been added to ensure that maximum revs can be achieved in each gear. The 135 upgrade kit gives the Elise 135hp at 6200 rpm and 175Nm of torque at 4850 rpm, 0-62 mph in 5.4 secs, 0-100 mph in 14.9 secs and a maximum speed of 129 mph.

For a limited period only, Lotus offered this kit to new buyers to increase sales over the winter months. The Sport 135 upgrade was made available to all S2 owners of S2 Elises in mid March 2002. It includes a new replacement head which has been ported and gas flowed, complete with valves, tappets, a new aluminium inlet manifold and plenum. The earlier proposed new air filter housing has been dropped in favour of a revision to the existing housing. The replacement K4 ECU has been reprogrammed to meet emissions tests. Cosmetic changes include a new bulkhead panel (required to clear the inlet manifold), a revised boot latch (for the same reason) and some 'Sport 135' decals. The kit does not include a sports exhaust which is required to unleash the full potential (2-3bhp lost with standard exhaust). The larger inlet manifold requires a new boot wall, slightly reducing boot space.

Elise S2 Sport 190, 2002

The Sport 190 was first announced in January 2002 and further information appear at the Geneva Motorshow in March 2002.

Each S2 Sport 190 car is tailor made by Lotus Motorsport and although not strictly road legal, by deleting certain standard items the car can be made road legal.

Elise S2 Type 72, 2002

The Elise Type 72 shares a lot in common with the Elise S1 Type 79 or Heritage model. Mechanically it is the same as the standard S2 but can be bought with a factory fitted Sport 135 upgrade.

See http://www.type72.com/ for more info.

Elise S2 111, 2002

VIN character 4 = J; Serial number from 2677

‘04 M.Y. VIN from serial number 0004 & VIN character 10 = 4; Serial number sequence re-started at 0001 = Track biased option for Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore. Based on Elise 111

Launched in June 2002. The 111 uses the VVC K-series as used in the MGFT but uses a Lotus K4 ECU to provide 156bhp @ 7000rpm and 129lb-ft at 4650rpm. 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds. Features 8-spoke wheels with a lower unsprung mass than the standard S2 wheels. These are 5.5 x 16in fronts and 7.5 x 17in rears with Bridgestone Potenza RE 040 175/55 VR16 front tyres and 225/45 VR17 rears.

Elise S2 111S, 2002

This car is identical to the 111 but features leather seats and trim, an upgraded stereo and carpets.

The 111 S2 was not sold with the longtail roof. Some sellers advertise their cars as a 111S (because the Elise model designation at Lotus is 111) they're really completely standard 120bhp cars. Usually the wheels and/or roof are a giveaway - six spokes or long roof = standard car; 8-spoke wheels and short roof=111. Although all S2s after the 1st June 2002 carried the short roof.

Elise S2 Type 25, 2002

Built to commemorate the revolutionary race car driven by Jim Clark in F1, painted in Lotus Racing Green with twin metallic yellow stripes running front to back. Unique black Lotus styled six spoke wheels. The interior includes perforated Ruby red leather seats, door panels and steering wheel centre (echoing the original), and red laurels embroidered onto the headrest of each seat. A Heritage Type 25 ID plate confirms it's limited edition status as only 50 of these cars were produced for the UK market. The car is also supplied with hard top maintaining the twin stripes.

Type 99T, 2003

Type 99T is a celebration of one of the most distinctive Lotus Formula One cars. Unveiled in London on 3rd February 1987 the Lotus 99T holds the honour of being the last ever Lotus Formula One car to win a Grand Prix.Painted in unique ‘Saffron Yellow' with subtle blue detailing to mirror that of the original race car, the Elise Type 99T commemorates one of the most recognisable cars in the history of Formula One.

Unique black Lotus styled eight spoke wheels complete the racing look from the exterior. The interior is furnished in perforated black leather sports seats and door panels, complemented by a black alcantara dash panel. Cross-drilled brakes, CD player, black soft-top and black carpets complete the look.

Elise S2 Sport 135R, May 2003

Developed by Lotus Sport and Performance in conjunction with the Lotus Ride and Handling team to develop a sports suspension set-up giving its user total control over ride height settings to maximise the cars performance in any environment. Following on from this, Lotus Sport and Performance has redesigned the flow characteristics of the cylinder head specifically for the 135R to offer greater flexibility throughout the rev range.

In addition to the engine modifications, the 3-piece F1 style diffuser and exhaust system has been utilised to further enhance the performance and character of the car.

The Lotus Sport Elise 135R will be built as a 'special edition' (denoted by the Lotus Sport chassis plate fixed into the passenger footwell) and as such will only be available in limited numbers.

Elise S2 Type 23, 2003

New green/white paint scheme as a limited edition run. June 2003.

Elise S2 2004 USA variant, 2003

In January 2003 the first official announcement about a US bound Elise was made, to be based on the European Elise S3 but with additional safety equipment to satisfy US legalities. At the same time as this announcement, it was also declared that the Lotus Esprit would reach the end of its long and illustrious life in early 2004 in the USA and mid 2003 in Europe - with an all new replacement to be announced at a future date.

In September 2003 Lotus announced that the Toyota 2ZZ-GE 1.8 litre 4 cylinder 16-valve engine with Variable Valve Timing and Lift-Intelligent (VVTL->i) system had been chosen, to be mated to a six-speed gearbox and tuned by Lotus specifically for the U.S. and to produce around 190hp.

The Federalised Elise was officially launched at the 2004 Los Angeles Auto Show. The main changes over the existing Elise S2 are the Toyota engine and 6-speed gearbox. The weight has been confirmed at 891kg. 0-60mph is claimed at 4.8 seconds and top speed at 150mph. The additional weight is down to twin airbags, brake servo and TRW anti-lock brakes, climate control, air-conditioning and carpets and additional sound proofing. It also has a larger fuel tank and a starter button.

To get some in-life experience of this engine and to reduce potential launch issues and associated legal problems in the US, Lotus Cars are going to offer the same engine in the Exige S2, due to be launched at the Geneva motorshow in 2004. The Toyota Elise was later made available in the UK under the name 111R in January 2004

Pinifarina Enjoy, September 2003

Lotus announced they would build a limited run of less than a hundred cars, first customer cars were expected in 2005. Using the K-series from the Elise 135R, the car features a wider track (2½" front and rear) and a wheelbase stretched by 3". To counteract the extra length which is mainly at the front of the car, the car has inboard suspension at the front. Wider 17" and 18" wheels are used helping both the look of the car and the grip. The construction methods employed mean that the bodywork over the wheels can be removed simply, leaving a 340R-like car for track days.

Elise S2 2004 111R, 2004

VIN character 4 = P; Character 13 = 3; Serial number 0970-2476

VIN character 10 = 5; Serial number from 0597 (sequence shared with USA model).

VIN character 10 = 6; Serial number restarts at 0001, common to all variants.

The UK version of the Toyota engined (US) Elise. For the first time, track tuned, high specification ABS with servo assisted brakes is offered as standard on the Elise 111R. Renamed R in 2007

S2 Exige, March 2004

VIN character 4 = P; Character 13 = 8; Serial number from 1092

Differences compared with Elise 111R include: Restyled front and rear clamshells with fixed roof and strut mounted rear aerofoil. Front body splitter panel. Re-styled road wheels, wider on the front, and Yokohama A048 tyres.

Motorsport Exige, January 2005

A direct motorsport derivative of the successful Lotus Exige. This Lotus designed and engineered race car was part manufactured by RTN, the team responsible for the Le Mans winning Bentley, using the latest motorsport techniques and procedures to produce a lightweight yet strong carbonfibre bodywork structure around the standard road-going Lotus Exige Aluminium extruded and bonded chassis.

The Lotus Sport designed fully adjustable suspension system with double wishbones all round was fabricated and manufactured by Pilbeam. Power is provided by a 400 hp Swindon Racing Engines tuned GM 3 litre V6 racing engine linked to a Hewland sequential six-speed gearbox, with AP-Racing providing the braking system.

This one-off race car has been built for a South East Asian client and is expected to race in selected sportscar races in Asia. There are no plans as yet to build further examples of the Lotus Sport Exige but the base structure has been carefully designed to comply with key motorsport regulations around the world. Adhering to the key Lotus philosophy of performance through lightweight, the Lotus Sport Exige weighs in at just 850kg.

The whole project, conducted in complete secrecy took less than 6 months.

Sports Racer, October 2005

Special paint versions of '06 M.Y. 111R in either Ardent Red with triple Monaco White stripes, or Nightfall Blue with twin Monaco White stripes.

Combined total of 199 units with unique build plate on sill. Forged wheels, sport suspension, twin front oil coolers, traction control. Black leather interior with red or blue stitching, and red or blue 'Elise' embroidered into head restraints. Sports Racer decals.

S2 Exige 240R, 2005

Limited edition of 50 units produced as post registration official factory conversions of '05 Exige by the Lotus Sport workshops at Hethel, for U.K. and certain overseas territories.

The car is not identifiable from the VIN coding.

With a supercharged and intercooled high revving engine producing over 240 hp and over 170 lbft of torque, the Lotus Sport Exige 240R reaches 60 mph in less than 4 seconds and 100 mph (160 km/h) in less than 10 seconds before topping out at 155 mph (249 km/h). At this top speed the advanced aerodynamics produce 113 kg of downforce increasing grip, stability and safety.

The 50 versions of the Lotus Sport Exige 240R will be built as post registration official factory conversions of new Lotus Exiges. Up to 40 of these cars will be sold in the EU and the balance is intended to be predominantly sold in Japan. The suffix of 240R indicates the approximate horsepower of the engine, conservatively rounded down from the actual figure of 243 hp (181 kW, 247 PS). The total unladen weight is approximately 930 kg and the power to weight is approximately 261 hp / tonne (195 kW / tonne, 266 PS / tonne).

They will only be available in Sport Yellow or Sport Black, and also has a unique interior trim in black with Lotus Sport Yellow highlights in leather.

A unique numbered Lotus Sport build plate is fitted to the aluminium chassis member on the passenger side. The interior also includes sports seats, driver and passenger four-point harnesses which are fitted to a cross bar that is part of the motorsport specification T45 roll bar. New lightweight five spoke forged alloy wheels are of a slightly wider section to the standard Exige wheel to accommodate the optional extra track only specification slick tyres as well as the Yokohama A048 tyres, which come as standard. These wheels are painted in "Satin Black" for the Sport Yellow painted version of the Lotus Sport Exige 240R and "High Power Silver" for the Sport Black painted version. In addition to the powerful four-cylinder engine, the Lotus Sport Exige 240R also includes specially developed Lotus Sport parts including upgraded brakes, stiffer springs and 2-way adjustable Ohlins dampers with ride height adjustment, an adjustable front anti-roll bar, twin oil coolers and an Accusump

S2 Circuit Car / 2-Eleven, 2007

Lotus Circuit Car, June 2005: An innovative product for the track day and club racing Lotus enthusiast. Later renamed the 2-Eleven.

Weighing in at just 670 kg (1,477 lbs) with 255 PS (252 bhp / 188 kw) on tap courtesy of its supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine, the Lotus 2-Eleven boasts a power to weight ratio similar to that of a 1960’s Formula One car. Designed with the most serious of track day enthusiasts in mind.

Production of the Lotus 2-Eleven is scheduled to commence in April 2007 at Hethel. The 2-Eleven build will be completed in dedicated Lotus Sport workshops and each vehicle will be given a Lotus Sport build plate.

The Lotus 2-Eleven is initially available in Launch Edition specification only, a three-way Lotus Sport colour scheme complete with decal pack. The Launch Edition is available in two versions - Road Going Version (UK Single Vehicle Approval) fitted with front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing and other items to achieve compliance with UK road legal requirements and Track Only Version with an enhanced aerodynamics package including high downforce single plane carbon fibre rear wing, high downforce front splitter, brake lights and rear indicators and FIA approved driver’s race seat.

The supercharged and intercooled 1796 cc engine in the Lotus 2-Eleven has a maximum power output of 255 PS (252 bhp / 188 kw) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 242 Nm (179 lb/ft) at 7000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now available together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Four high capacity injectors and an up rated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high speed driving.

An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant. Twin oil coolers complete the powertrain package.

Full press release here

Exige Cup 190 & 240, January 2006

Limited number of competition oriented naturally aspirated (190) or supercharged (240) models produced as post registration official factory conversions of '06 Exige by the Lotus Sport workshops at Hethel for U.K. and certain overseas territories. Not identifiable from VIN coding. Differences compared to 240R include: Electronic throttle, high flow port injectors (no 5th). Cup 240 fitted with torque sensing LSD with LTC. Cup 190 uses friction plate LSD. Standard Exige wheels in 'Hi-power' silver. Race cars fitted with FIA 6-point roll cage, remote kill switch, extinguisher system. Standard body colours.

Exige S, February 2006

VIN character 4=P

Lotus announce the Exige S, a supercharged, Toyota engined, 1.8-litre four-cylinder Exige with 218bhp. Unlike the 240R, it is not the product of Lotus’s Sport division but, comes off the standard production line. Performance is 0 to 62mph in 4.3 seconds and 148mph top speed.

Factory built type approved supercharged Exige. Not available in the US. Differences to standard Exige include: 221 PS supercharged engine similar to 240R but using electronic throttle, smooth flow inlet adaptor, standard injectors without 5th injector, modified downpipe, revised muffler with single oval tailpipe. Enlarged roof duct inlet for chargecooler. Body colour splitter, scoops and aerofoil. 'Exige S' decal on rear transom, 'S' on front quarter panels.

US Sport Elise & Exige, March 2006

Sport Elise
Limited edition of 50. Saffron Yellow with twin Storm Titanium stripes, centre console, and highlighted sports seats, with 'carbon' door trim inserts. Harness bar, T45 seat belt mounting frame. Motorsport mats, stalks, winders and parking brake sleeve. Traction control, supersport suspension, black forged wheels, Yokohama A048s, braided brake hoses, silicone fluid, motorsport clutch. Lotus Sport decals and Union flags. Lotus Sport chassis plate.

Sport Exige
Supercharged engine putting out 243 horsepower

Exige 265E – Bio-ethanol car, August 2006

Lotus releases details about its new bio-ethanol-powered Exige 265E, the most powerful road version of the Lotus Exige ever. It weighs just 930 kg unladen and is called the Lotus Exige 265E because the 265 indicates the approximate horsepower and the E indicates the environmentally favourable bio-ethanol E85 fuel containing 85 per cent ethanol alcohol and 15 per cent petrol.

This is consistent with the Lotus naming strategy for other one-off and limited number variants, such as the Lotus Sport Exige 240R. It uses a slightly modified version of the 2ZZ VVTL-i supercharged and intercooled 4-cylinder engine from the standard Lotus Exige S, which results in a claimed 0-60 mph in 3.88 seconds, 0-100 mph in 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 158 mph. It produces 264hp at 8,000rpm, and 184lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm, up by 46 hp or 21 per cent and 25lb-ft or 16 per cent over the standard petrol powered Exige S.

Lotus said it has no immediate plans to put the Exige 265E into production.

Lotus Coupe

Type 120

The addition of a roof meant that the whole car was stiffer, which meant that lower sills could be used to accommodate larger doors - making entry and exit easier.

More powerful engines were also considered - including the Rover 2.5 KV6 and even (reportedly) the 1.6 V8 twin turbo used in the Suzuki concept car (250bhp). This car eventaully emerged as the Lotus Europa, click here for more details and background info.

Project suspended in 1998.

Europa, 2006

Type 121

The coupe eventually emerges as the Europa S and was announced in Dec 2005.

The Europa S, Lotus' version of a two-seat grand tourer, went into production in 2006. Lotus plans to make about 500 annually, available to Europe and Asia, but not the US and Canada.

Luxury Touring Pack Option for Lotus Europa S. Geneva, March 2006

The Pack Option dresses the interior in saddle tan leather, chocolate coloured leather and brown carpets. The steering column shroud, dash top, instrument and ventilation binnacles, sill covers, etc., are covered with four hides of soft high-grade saddle tan coloured and chocolate coloured leather. Supportive sports seats are fitted and are also clad in saddle tan and chocolate coloured leather in a stripe pattern. Safety critical composite components such as the passenger airbag door are coated in a high-tech soft-to-the-touch material. An engine start button and a solid Walnut and Tulip wood gearknob finish off the interior package. Brown carpet covers the whole of the boot area including the battery cover, a saddle tan coloured leather trimmed tailgate inner, luggage straps to prevent luggage from moving in the boot, and a saddle tan coloured leather oddment bag which is fixed to the boot compartment.

Exterior additions to the Luxury Touring Pack Option include tinted rear and rear three-quarter glass, body coloured front driving lamp surrounds, side air-intake surrounds and roof air-outlet grill. All other exterior grilles such as the front radiator grilles and the rear light grille surrounds are coloured silver.

Full press relese here (pdf)

Exige GT3 Concept,March 2007

Lotus Sport, the race car performance arm of Lotus Cars Ltd, unveiled the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle. With its debut at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show, the 275 PS (271 bhp / 203 kW) Exige GT3 builds on the Lotus racing pedigree

Said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc: “The Exige GT3 concept road car is a fantastic showcase product from our race car performance division, Lotus Sport. The car’s racing background becomes immediately obvious from its aggressive stance, extreme width of rear track and innovative three dimensional rear wing.

The foundation of all Lotus products is phenomenal handling and ride characteristics, but the Exige GT3 takes these into another dimension altogether where supreme road holding and outrageous acceleration come evenly matched with sensational stopping ability.”

The Exige GT3’s pure bred racing brother will be again competing in the GT race arena in 2007, taking over the mantle from the hugely successful 2006 British GT3 Championship winning car. On road or track the Lotus Exige GT3 winning pedigree will continue in time honoured Lotus racing tradition.

A new one-piece front clam-shell with fully masked front wheels and wheel arch venting leads the aerodynamically cleaned silhouette of this car. A menacing stance is enhanced by the aggressively flared rear wheel arches and aero-efficient three-dimensional rear wing and blended end-plates. The visual message is clear; this vehicle means business and the squat wide hindquarters symbolise the latent power harnessed within.

That power is provided by the same charge-cooled supercharged engine that the GT3 race car employs, producing 275PS (271bhp / 203kw) driven through ten inch rear wheels with 255 width tyres making the final connection to the road. Max speed (257kph / 160mph) and peak torque have been electronically limited but acceleration is left untouched and unimpaired. The front brakes and brake pads have been up-rated all round.

The end-plate mounted three-dimensional rear wing complements the widened and flattened rear deck shape in reducing the overall drag as well as maintaining front to rear downforce balance. Fitted with 2-way Ohlins adjustable dampers together with Lotus Sport adjustable front stabiliser bar and rear suspension double-shear track control arms).

It is intended that the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle will be further developed into a full production car for limited markets, to go on sale in late 2007.

Full press release here (pdf)

Full Technical Specification here (pdf)

Type25 Jim Clark Elise SC , 2008

Based on the 200bhp Supercharged Lotus Elise SC; only 25 will be built to commemorate with the 40th anniversary of the passing of Jim Clark.

Finished in classic non-metallic Racing Green with Yellow stripe, as per Jim’s famous Type 25 Formula One car, the car has a bespoke interior in Red, and some classic touches including wooden gearknob, signature Jim Clark signwriting, and yellow grille surround.

Press Release here (pdf)

Interior details here (jpg)