Lotus Elise

The Lotus Elise is a car by Lotus Cars.

• Lotus Eco Elise 3.1.4.1 (2008)

History

It was first shown in 1995 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main. The concept was unusual: Small dimensions, a small mid-engine and the absence of all the comforts revealed in conjunction with high-quality lightweight sports cars with excellent performance at half the price of a Porsche 911, the Elise is in the tradition of a classic roadster.

Innovative core element of the Elise is its chassis, which was designed by Lotus employee Richard Rackham, Lotus developed for series production and produced by Danish supplier Hydro Aluminium. It consists of an aluminum alloy, weighs only 65 lbs and is joined not by welding but by gluing and riveting, the rivet, the peel stress ( " peeling stress" ) away from the splice and prevent tearing of the viscous splices. The body of the Elise is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic. A closed, derived from the racing version is offered as an Exige.

The namesake of the Elise was Elisa, the granddaughter of Romano Artioli, the CEO at the time of initial presentation and former owner of Lotus.

The market success of the vehicle exceeded the manufacturer by far exceeded expectations and led to delivery times of well over a year.

2012 were registered, according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Office 41 Lotus Elise in Germany, of which 12 vehicles by commercial holder.

Series 1 (1996-2000)

The Elise S1 from 1996 sold first series of Elise, was a bestseller. They came with the widespread 1.8 -liter engine from the K- series of the MG Rover Group. In the standard version of the Elise 111 four-cylinder 90 kW (122 hp).

As of 1998, the Elise 111S was available, the engine is equipped with variable valve timing and 107 kW ( 145 hp).

In addition, Lotus offered some special models with more powerful engines. Between 1998 and the setting of S1 in 2000 there were the following special editions:

• Elise Sport 135 with 100 kW ( 136 hp )
• Elise Sport 160 with 116 kW ( 158 hp )
• Elise Sport 190 with 141 kW ( 192 hp )

These models also have modifications on the chassis and the body, in order to meet the higher power.

Built numbers:

Total number of pieces:

• 8741 Elise
• 1483 Elise 111S
• 36 Motorsport Elise
• 311 Elise 160/S160

Special models ( 49er, JPS, Millenium, 50th, etc.) are included in the numbers of types.

Series 2 (2000-2010)

The second generation of the Elise Series II came in 2000 with completely revised terter body and revised chassis on the market. The first models were given a Rover engine with 90 kW (122 hp). 2002 Additionally, a second model of Elise which brought Elise 111S with 156 -hp motor Rover on the market.

From 2004, the Elise 111R variant was offered, the direct-injection 1.8 -liter engine of Toyota 141 kW ( 192 PS ) carried out. This Elise introduced the conversion of all Elise engines from Rover to Toyota aggregates, which was made ​​necessary by the rover insolvency from model year 2006, as no euro - 3 engines could be delivered more.

2006 model year

For the model year 2006 versions Elise Elise 111S and 111 have been completely set with the rover engines. The driven of Toyota engines Version Elise 111R was further built unchanged but renamed Elise R.

The new entry-level model was from 2006, payable Elise S with a 100 kW ( 136 hp ) Toyota engine.

All Toyota models received ABS as standard, which is a minimal revision of the body at the front end of the Elise a result had to create the necessary space. Also the tailpipes of the exhaust system was installed in all Toyota models down.

Lotus Elise SC (2008) / 2008 model year

In 2008, the top model of the Elise Series II came on the market and was named Elise SC (English " supercharged " = charged). Uses the same Toyota engine as before in the Elise R. With additional optimization and supercharged However, an increase in output to 163 kW was achieved (222 hp) and a smooth arrival at lower speeds. This results in 903 kg curb weight a power to weight ratio of 4.1 kg / hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, this Elise needs only 4.6 seconds. The Elise SC received an additional rear spoiler as a single model. In addition, given the Elise SC 's standard aluminum forged wheels and a different tank than her sisters. The original price for the Elise SC began in Germany at 50,000 euros.

The 2008 model year brought more changes in the interior of the vehicles for all models. Standard the dashboard previously used already in the U.S. has now been used in Europe with airbags for driver and front passenger. Even the headlights and taillights of vehicles have been revised.

The four optional equipment packages of Elise were summarized on the two " Touring Package" versions and " sports package ". Between the U.S. models and the European models, there are discrepancies among others the Touring package. In the U.S., for example, the additional headlights of the European Touring package were not offered.

Lotus Elise Club Racer ( 2009)

Based on the Lotus Elise S offered for the 2010 model year, the " Elise Club Racer" with 100 kW ( 136 hp ) at. The special edition was available in four color combinations that there was at Lotus back in the 1960s: Elite Yellow, Carbon Grey, Sky Blue and Old English White. The special model is a lighter and cheaper version of the Elise with anthracite anodized aluminum rims sechsspeichigen. In Germany, the car cost 2009 33.125 € per year.

Special models 2000-2010

In the years from 2000 to 2010 II, various special models or in the number of items limited editions of Elise were manufactured by Elise series. Has its own story to remember, for example, to former Lotus cars, racing success or anniversary For each limited edition.

• Elise Sport 190 2002
• Elise Type 25 2002
• Elise Type 49 2002
• Elise Type 72 2002 ( John Player Special)
• Elise Type 23 2003
• Elise Type 99T 2003
• Elise 135R 2003
• Elise Sport 111 2003-2004
• Elise Sports Racer in 2005
• Elise S 60th Anniversary of 2008
• Elise Type 72D of 2008 ( John Player Special)

Lotus Elise S 60th Anniversary ( 2008)

For the 60th anniversary in 2007, Lotus produced for the 2008 model year, a special version of the Elise S. This settles by numerous details of the standard Elise S of the current model year. These include the special color Burnt Orange, the standard hard top, a rear diffuser and lacquered black painted wheels, the leather upholstery with orange stitching, the color-keyed center console, and also painted in body color exterior parts. The orange colored painted calipers are another feature of the special model, as well as a plaque in the interior, on which the vehicle number and the total number of the special model are listed. Further country-specific labels are available.

The total of 50 vehicles are distributed in the following quantities to the individual states:

• Germany: 15
• Switzerland: 10
• France: 5
• Belgium: 5
• Italy: 6
• Remaining countries of Europe: 9
• In the UK, the home of Lotus, accounted for a single copy.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary and the renewed increase in unit sales by 9%, the vehicle was sold at a discount of 10%. The only extras were available air conditioning and the Lotus traction control. The sale prices include local taxes and delivery costs:

• Germany: 39,995 €
• Switzerland: 58,600 CHF
• France: 40,200 €
• Italy: € 40,800
• Belgium: 40.600 €
• Netherlands: 53,600 €

Prototypes

• Lotus Eco Elise
• Rinspeed sQuba

Lotus Eco Elise ( 2008)

The Eco Elise is a concept vehicle that does not address the environment in terms of CO2 emissions from the engine but on the vehicle used in the materials. There environmentally friendly materials such as hemp, organic wool, sisal, and the like were used for the body parts that - provide new affordable green technologies - in conjunction with novel water-based paints. The vehicle also has a shift recommendation display. The car is based on a 111S, but weighs 32 kg less than this. But the lightweight wheels weigh 15.8 kg less than the already lightweight standard Elise rims. More weight is saved by using a lightweight audio system from Alpine, which through the use of lightweight speakers and a lighter control unit 1.5 kg weighs less than a normal plant.

Series 3 ( 04/ 2010)

Since April 2010, the Series 3 of the Elise is on the market. The model is also sometimes referred to as a facelift version. A revision of the body has been executed, containing the standard LED daylight running lamps. The entry model only receives from 2010 a new engine with the same output of 100 kW ( 136 hp ) but with 1.6 liters of displacement. In this it also is a Toyota engine.

The body has been redesigned to different areas. In addition to a change in the body front accounts for the conspicuous turn signals to the front of the Elise, there are new headlights with LED daytime running lights used, the plastic blades of the Belüfungsöffnungen were replaced with simpler grille, the trim blades accounted for at the rear of the vehicle, the hood was changed and the revised diffuser at the rear.

For the 2011 model year, only two models with the same engine of 1.6 liters with 100 kW ( 136 hp ) are available in Germany: The Elise and the Elise CR ( Club Racer ), which continues the concept of Club Racers of 2009. In addition, both models are available in 2010 as " Black Edition" or " White Edition ". In the UK, a version of the Elise S3 with 142 kW ( 192 hp ) and 162 kW ( 220 hp ) will initially continue to be offered, which, however, would not have any more new registrations in Germany due to a change in legislation in emission levels and therefore no longer sold in Germany from January 2011 will. In the United States leads in 2011 also a change in the law in the airbag area for complete cessation of the sale of the Lotus Elise. There the sale with the Lotus Elise Final Edition completed.

With another facelift making the 142- kW version ( 192 hp ) is set and it comes in 2012 for Germany a successor model for the Elise SC on the market, the Elise S will be called again. The name Elise S no longer carries the entry-level version of the Elise, but he will transmit strong successor to the Elise SC on the 164 kW ( 220 hp). The car gets a new engine from Toyota. It will be offered in 2012 three models: the entry-level Elise 1.6 with 1.6 liter displacement (100 kW/136 hp), the Sport model Elise S supercharged (162 kW/220 hp) and the lowest weight-reduced model Elise CR ( Club Racer ) with the engine of the Elise 1.6 ( 100 kW/136 hp).

Lotus 340R ( built 2000, 340 pcs )

The most extreme and lightest model of the Elise debuted in 2000 with the 340R with 130 kW (177 hp). It has no roof, enclosed sides without doors, detached wheels and a shortened tail. Originally the name 340R should refer to the value of hp / t. However, since only 262 hp / t were achieved, sat at the number in relation to the planned quantity. Its weight is 635 kg. A British car magazine determined in the standard slalom with a Leitkegelabstand of 18 m, the highest ever achieved by a production car speed of 78.4 km / h

Offshoot

The Elise is the technical basis of a number of models of different brands:

• The Lotus Exige as a coupe version
• The Opel Speedster and Vauxhall VX220 and its sister models Daewoo Speedster were developed and produced on behalf of General Motors at Lotus.
• The Lotus Europa S is designed as Gran Turismo less radical.
• The Tesla Roadster is a co-developed and produced by Lotus electric car.
• The Dodge Circuit EV
• The Melkus RS2000 was presented at the IAA 2009.
• The Rinspeed sQuba is a submersible concept car / amphibious vehicle.
• The Aerocar 2000 is a flyable prototype Aerocar.
• The PG ELEKTRUS is the second electric car based on the Lotus Elise.
• The Hennessey Venom GT