21 October 2005 – Harking back to some key Lotus sports and GT racer colour schemes from the 1950s and 1960s, Lotus introduces the limited edition Lotus Elise Sports Racer.

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, Advan Neova AD07 LTS tyres linked to uprated Eibach springs and stiffer Bilstein dampers, twin oil coolers, switchable Lotus Traction Control and an optional Torsen-type limited slip differential.

With a modified Honda Celica engine producing a maximum power output of 189 hp (141 kW) and 133 ft lbs (181 Nm) of torque, the Elise Sports Racer sprints to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and 100 mph in 13.0 seconds before reaching a certified top speed of 150 mph (241km/h).

This performance is achieved through a balance of environmental considerations with the fully Euro IV Emissions compliant engine helping the Elise to return 32.1 mpg (8.8 litres/100 km) on the combined cycle.

The Lotus Elise Sports Racer uses a new lighter weight pedal box with forged steel pedal arms and extruded aluminum pads. This new unit, which is lighter that the previous extruded aluminum 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.

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 than conventional filament bulbs.

Two distinctly different color schemes 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 color 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 versions have a colored (red or blue respectively) Elise logo stitched into the headrests and unique Elise Sports Racer decals positioned on the exterior of the car.

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 Elise Sports Racer will be built in limited numbers with a total production run, across the two colours, of 199 units worldwide. They are 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.

Specs & Performance