Lotus Elise Sports Racer

[Elaine]

Lotus Elise Sports Racer - more than just a colour scheme

 

Harking back to some key Lotus sports and GT racer colour schemes (used on

some versions of the Lotus Elite, Type 23, and Lotus Elan) from the 1950s

and 1960s, Lotus introduces the limited edition Lotus Elise Sports Racer.

Two distinctly different vehicles have been produced. The first, in Ardent

Red, features a single painted white stripe flanked by two thinner painted

white stripes and has distinctive white wing mirrors. The interior of the

car is also unique, with matching red stitching set against black leather

trim.

The second car is Nightfall Blue and has twin painted white stripes running

the length of the vehicle. Again, this car features white wing mirrors and

has a unique interior, subtly matching the exterior of the vehicle, with

blue stitching on the leather

Both the versions have a coloured (red or blue respectively) Elise logo

stitched into the headrests and unique Elise Sports Racer decals positioned

on the exterior of the car.

The Elise Sports Racer will be built in limited numbers with a total

production run, across the two colours, of 199 units worldwide with each one

given an individually numbered build plate.

Under the blue and red colour schemes, the Elise Sports Racers use some of

the best sports and track specific components available including

ultra-lightweight 7-twin spoke forged alloy wheels (saving a massive 1.2 kg

of unsprung weight per corner), Advan Neova AD07 LTS tyres linked to sports

suspension (uprated Eibach springs and stiffer Bilstein dampers), twin oil

coolers and switchable Lotus Traction Control (LTC).

The switchable engine-managed Lotus Traction Control System (LTC) is active

above 8 km/h (5 mph) and works through the engine, reducing power when

required to maintain traction. It operates much quicker than many brake

based systems. A Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD) is available as

an option for tight low speed, high acceleration driving (such as auto

tests).

Standard luxury kit includes a colour matched hardtop, central door locking,

electric windows, interior stowage net, sound insulation pack, black

soft-top with sound/thermal insulation and black full carpet set.

LED rear lights are fitted which are brighter and the brake lights

illuminate 2 tenths of a second (0.2 seconds) quicker (or one Elise car

length at 70km/h / 43 mph) and are 36% lighter (around 0.6 kg) than

conventional filament bulbs.

 

The Proven and High Performing Engine and Gearbox

With a VVTL-i engine (Variable Valve Timing and Lift-intelligent) producing

a maximum power output of 141 kW (189 hp or 192 PS) and 181 Nm (133 lbft or

18.5 kgm) of torque, the Elise Sports Racer sprints to 100km/h in 5.2

seconds (60 mph in 4.9 seconds) and 160km/h (100 mph) in 13.0 seconds before

reaching a certified top speed of 241km/h (150 mph).

This performance is achieved through a balance of environmental

considerations with the fully Euro IV Emissions compliant engine helping the

Elise to return 8.8 litres/100 km (32.1 mpg) on the combined cycle, as well

as the very low figure of 208 g/km of CO2 emissions.

 

Sometimes steel is lighter than Aluminium! A new lightweight pedal box

The Lotus Elise Sports Racer uses a new lighter weight pedal box with forged

steel pedal arms and extruded aluminium pads. This new unit, which is

lighter that the previous extruded aluminium unit, has an electronic

throttle for quicker and smoother engine response, reduced brake pedal ratio

and improved pedal feel for the brake and throttle. All three pedals are

better positioned for improved "heel and toe" brake and throttle control on

downshifts. The cable-less throttle also ensures that emissions are managed

more effectively and kept as low as possible under all operating conditions.

Air-conditioning is available as an option and weighs in at a featherweight

15 kg.

The Lotus Elise Sports Racer is available from Lotus dealers in November

2005 at a recommended retail price of £31,995 in the UK. Other world market

prices will be issued shortly.

[Mark H]

Press release

pr_download.pdf

[Mark H]

Photos here

 

http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000677064531/

[Rich111s]

Not too keen personally... wheels look good but I'm not a fan of the white wing mirrors (or the £32k price tag )

[Mark H]

Pistonheads have caught up now:

 

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/lotus/12197.htm

 

Lotus uprates the Elise

 

Monday 24th October

 

Limited edition Sports Racer hits the spot

 

Lotus has launched a new, limited edition Elise -- the Sports Racer. Only 199 units will be produced worldwide, with each including an individually numbered build plate, as well as a number of unique features.

 

Harking back to some key Lotus sports and GT racer colour schemes (used on some versions of the Lotus Elite, Type 23, and Lotus Elan) from the 1950s and 1960s, the Elise Sports Racer range consists of two distinctly different vehicles.

 

The first, in Ardent Red, features a single painted white stripe flanked by two thinner painted white stripes and has distinctive white wing mirrors (not the car in the pic -- Lotus didn't supply pictures of the new car). The interior of the car is also unique, with matching red stitching set against black leather trim.

 

The second car is Nightfall Blue and has twin painted white stripes running the length of the vehicle. Again, this car features white wing mirrors and has a unique interior, subtly matching the exterior of the vehicle, with blue stitching on the leather Both the versions have a coloured (red or blue respectively) Elise logo stitched into the headrests and unique Elise Sports Racer decals positioned on the exterior of the car.

 

Chassis

 

Under the blue and red colour schemes, the Elise Sports Racers use some of the best sports and track specific components available including ultra-lightweight seven twin-spoke forged alloy wheels (saving a massive 1.2Kg of unsprung weight per corner), Advan Neova AD07 LTS tyres linked to sports suspension (uprated Eibach springs and stiffer Bilstein dampers), twin oil coolers and switchable Lotus Traction Control (LTC).

 

The switchable engine-managed Lotus Traction Control System (LTC) is active above 5mph and works through the engine, reducing power when required to maintain traction. It operates much quicker than many brake-based systems. A Torsen-type limited slip differential (LSD) is available as an option for tight low speed, high acceleration driving (such as auto tests).

 

Standard luxury kit includes a colour matched hardtop, central door locking, electric windows, interior stowage net, sound insulation pack, black soft-top with sound/thermal insulation and black full carpet set.

 

The cars gain LED rear lights as not only are LEDs brighter than standard bulbs and illuminate 0.2 seconds quicker -- that's one Elise car length at 43 mph -- they're also 36 per cent lighter (around 0.6Kg).

 

Motive power

 

The cars also include the proven, high performance engine and gearbox combo, consisting of a VVTL-i engine (Variable Valve Timing and Lift-intelligent) producing a maximum power output of 189bhp or and 133lb-ft  of torque, allowing the Elise Sports Racer to sprint to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and 100 mph in 13.0 seconds before reaching a certified top speed of 150 ph.     

 

This performance is achieved through a balance of environmental considerations with the fully Euro IV Emissions compliant engine helping the Elise to return 32.1mpg on the combined cycle, as well as the very low figure of 208 g/km of CO2 emissions.

 

The Lotus Elise Sports Racer also uses a new lighter pedal box with forged steel pedal arms and extruded aluminium pads. This new unit, which is lighter that the previous extruded aluminium unit, has an electronic throttle for quicker and smoother engine response, reduced brake pedal ratio and improved pedal feel for the brake and throttle. All three pedals are better positioned for improved "heel and toe" brake and throttle control on downshifts. The cable-less throttle also ensures that emissions are managed more effectively and kept as low as possible under all operating conditions.

 

Air-conditioning is available as an option and weighs just 15Kg.

 

The Lotus Elise Sports Racer is available from Lotus dealers in November 2005 at a recommended retail price of £31,995 in the UK. Other world market prices will be issued shortly.

[darren5591]

I like the colour schemes

[Fiona]

How many "Ltd editions" can we have?

 

This is just overkill and £32k is unbelieveable for some Exige options, some ally tat and some new colours. They are diluting the S2 Elise too much, IMHO. There must be about 10 different versions now.

 

Aren't those white mirrors (BMW Mini!) going to look nice covered in dead flies and stone chips?

[Mr_Belowski]

I like the look - even the mirrors, but 32K... ouch