Lotus Elise
Key specifications
Differences between variants
| Specification | Lotus Elise S1 | Lotus Elise 111R | Lotus Elise Cup 250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.8-litre inline-four | 1.8-litre inline-four | 1.8-litre supercharged inline-four |
| Power | 118 hp | 192 PS | 250 PS |
| Transmission | Manual · 5 speeds | Manual · 6 speeds | Manual · 6 speeds |
| Production period | 1996– | 2004– | 2016– |
Generations and variants
Lotus Elise - Series 1
Lotus Elise S1
1996–- Body style
-
Roadster
- Engine
- 1.8-litre inline-four
- Power
- 118 hp
- Drivetrain
-
Rear-wheel drive
- Transmission
-
Manual· 5 speeds
Lotus Elise - Series 2
Lotus Elise 111R
2004–- Body style
-
Roadster
- Engine
- 1.8-litre inline-four
- Power
- 192 PS
- Drivetrain
-
Rear-wheel drive
- Transmission
-
Manual· 6 speeds
Lotus Elise - Series 3
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
The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition weighed about 922 kg in Lotus's quoted specification, preserving the model's focus on low mass.
The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition used a supercharged 1.8-litre engine producing about 243 hp.
Bonded, extruded aluminium sections formed the Elise's light and stiff structural base, an approach later developed for other Lotus models as well.
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.
The Elise's bonded aluminium structures were produced at Lotus Lightweight Structures in Norwich, which also made chassis for the Exige and Evora.
In 2021 Lotus introduced Final Edition versions to mark the end of Elise production.
The Elise remained in production for about 25 years, from the mid-1990s until the program ended in 2021.
The second-generation Elise, commonly known as the Series 2, arrived in 2001.
The first-generation Elise carried Lotus's internal Type 111 designation.
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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