'A strong contender for the title of world's best sports car. Inspired handling and chassis design.' Autocar. 'When the Lotus Elise was launched in 1996, it was a defining moment in the history of the sports car. Light, compact, innovative and technically uncompromising, the Elise returned Lotus to its raw fun-car roots. The finely focused Elise is even better than the sum of its parts. The longer and harder you drive it, the better the Elise seems to get. It rides serenely, steers precisely (without corrupting power-assistance) handles like a precision instrument and grips like a limpet.
Horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
Top Speed (mph)
0-60 mph (sec)
Revolutionary, the only way to describe the new Lotus Elise, a car which combines beautiful simplicity, high technology, high performance and high drama. The classically elegant lines of a roadster reflect the true spirit of Lotus and have captured the imagination of the world. The innovative bonded aluminium chassis achieves a remarkable combination of light weight and rigidity, giving exceptional handling and balance. It is the backbone of a car single-mindedly focused on delivering driving pleasure.
| Engine | Type: 4-cylinder in-line, doc, four valves per cylinder, transversely mid-mounted. Capacity: 1796cc. Construction: All aluminium alloy. Maximum power: 118bhp (88kW) at 5500гpm. Maximum torque: 122lb ft (165Nm) at 3000rpm. |
| Performance | Max speed: 126mph (202km/h). 0-60mph: 5.8secs. 100km/h: 5.9secs. 0-100mph: 18.0secs. 0-160km/h: 18.0secs. |
| Fuel consumption | mpg (1/100km): Urban 29.4 (9.6). Extra Urban 49.6 (5.7). Combined 39.8 (7.1). |
| Transmission | Manual 5-speed transaxle driving rear wheels. Ratios: First - 3.17:1; Second - 1.84:1; Third - 1.31:1; Fourth - 1.03:1; Fifth - 0.77:1. Reverse - 3.00:1; Final drive - 3.94:1. |
| Body | Composite body panels with detachable front and rear clamshells, integral fixed headlamps. |
| Chassis | Lotus-designed structure of epoxy-bonded aluminium extrusions incorporating steel roll-hoop. |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transaxle or 4 speed Tiptronic dual function (optional.) |
| Suspension | Double wishbones with single coil springs over monotube dampers all-round. Lotus-patented extruded aluminium uprights. Front anti-roll bar. Rear toe-link. |
| Steerings | Rack and pinion, non-power assisted. |
| Wheels | Twelve-spoke. Front: 5.5Jx15, Rear: 7x16in. |
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero. Front: 185/55 R15, Rear: 205/50 R16 |
| Brakes | Ventilated iren discs all-round. Lotus/AP Racing front callipers, Brembo rear callipers. |
| Dimensions | Wheelbase - 90.6in (2300mm). Front track - 56.7in (1440mm). Rear track - 57.4in (1458mm). Overall length - 146.7in (3726mm). Overall width - 67.0in (1701mm)(excluding mirrors). Overall height - 45.2in (1148mm). Ground clearance - 6.3in (160mm). Fuel tank capacity - 8.0gal (36.4l). Fuel grade - 95 RON minimum. |
| Unladen weight | 1663lb (755kg) |
| Standard equipment | Alloy road wheels (key-bolted), three-way catalytic converter, coded signal immobiliser, vinyl hood, unique Lotus/Nardi steering wheel. |
| Options | Cloth hood, metallic paint, radio fitting kit, leather trim seats, driving lamps, hard-top, Thatcham One-approved Cobra alarm/immobiliser. |
