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Model

Lotus Elise

Production1996–2021
CategorySports car
Status
Discontinued
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Model
Lotus Elise
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Key specifications

Body style
Roadster
Engine
1.8-litre inline-four · 1.8-litre supercharged inline-four
Power
118 hp · 192 PS · 250 PS
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Transmission
Manual · 5 speeds · Manual · 6 speeds

Differences between variants

Differences between variants
Specification Lotus Elise S1Lotus Elise 111RLotus Elise Cup 250
Engine 1.8-litre inline-four1.8-litre inline-four1.8-litre supercharged inline-four
Power 118 hp192 PS250 PS
Transmission Manual · 5 speedsManual · 6 speedsManual · 6 speeds
Production period 1996–2004–2016–

Generations and variants

Generation

Lotus Elise - Series 1

1996–2001 Series 1
Variant

Lotus Elise S1

1996–
Body style
Roadster
Engine
1.8-litre inline-four
Power
118 hp
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Transmission
Manual
· 5 speeds
Generation

Lotus Elise - Series 2

2001–2010 Series 2
Variant

Lotus Elise 111R

2004–
Body style
Roadster
Engine
1.8-litre inline-four
Power
192 PS
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Transmission
Manual
· 6 speeds
Generation

Lotus Elise - Series 3

2010–2021 Series 3
Variant

Lotus Elise Cup 250

2016–
Body style
Roadster
Engine
1.8-litre supercharged inline-four
Power
250 PS
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Transmission
Manual
· 6 speeds

Facts

Engineering

The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition weighed about 922 kg in Lotus's quoted specification, preserving the model's focus on low mass.

Engineering

The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition used a supercharged 1.8-litre engine producing about 243 hp.

Engineering

Bonded, extruded aluminium sections formed the Elise's light and stiff structural base, an approach later developed for other Lotus models as well.

Engineering

Introduced in 1995, the Type 111 Elise was, according to Lotus, the first production car to use a chassis made from bonded and extruded aluminium sections.

Production

The Elise's bonded aluminium structures were produced at Lotus Lightweight Structures in Norwich, which also made chassis for the Exige and Evora.

Production

In 2021 Lotus introduced Final Edition versions to mark the end of Elise production.

History

The Elise remained in production for about 25 years, from the mid-1990s until the program ended in 2021.

History

The second-generation Elise, commonly known as the Series 2, arrived in 2001.

History

The first-generation Elise carried Lotus's internal Type 111 designation.

Design

In 2010 the Elise received a substantial styling update, often referred to as the Series 3, with a revised front end and lighting.

More facts about Lotus Elise

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Other models from the same manufacturer.

Data

Registration

Official recall campaigns.

Sources and freshness
  • Source: Central Register of Vehicles and Drivers (CEPiK), Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs
  • Last synchronized: 30 Aug 2026 - 18:23
  • Source: UK Department for Transport and DVLA, licensed under OGL v3.0
  • Last synchronized: 30 Aug 2026 - 09:04
  • Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Last synchronized: 30 Aug 2026 - 10:19
  • Source: NHTSA Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)
  • Last synchronized: 30 Aug 2026 - 10:20