Price |
|
£31,995 (U.S. prices tba) |
Production |
|
-- |
Engine |
1.8
liter inline-4 |
Weight |
-- |
Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
133
lb-ft |
HP |
189
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
HP/Liter |
105
hp per liter |
0-100 mph |
13
seconds |
0-60 mph |
4.9
seconds |
Top Speed |
150
mph |
(from Lotus
Press Release) 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.