The design philosophy of Lotus is “Performance through light weight”, a philosophy first adopted by the founder of Lotus, Colin Chapman. The motto drives Lotus to obtain very high performance with lightweight cars in spite of their relatively modest power outputs, with a strong emphasis on driving purity and dynamics.
Series 1 Lotus Elise at the Apex of Snetterton’s Russell Chicane
The result is a sports car that in production form in 1996 weighed in at just 720 kg (1,500 lb). Compare this to a Porsche Boxster which is also considered to be an extremely lightweight sports car but weighs nearly twice as much — 1,250kg (2,756 lb).
As a result, the Elise’s acceleration, braking, cornering, and fuel consumption (all of which are improved by reductions in a car’s weight) was nothing short of astonishing in spite of the fact that the engine put out a relatively modest 120 bhp (89 kW). Compare that to 201 bhp (149 kW) produced by the 1997 Porsche Boxster.
Although high-tech, it represented affordable cost of ownership for sports car lovers on a budget who still wanted performance and looks.
Besides the “standard” higher-performance variants listed below, Lotus also released some limited edition models such as Sport 135 (1998/9) with approx 145 bhp (108 kW), Sport 160 (2000) with 150–160 bhp (112–119 kW) and Sport 190 (allegedly 190bhp / 142 kW). These were more competent on track with sports suspension, wheels and tyres, seats according to model. There were other special editions which were basically cosmetic treatments such as the 50th Anniversary Edition (green/gold) celebrating 50 years of Lotus cars, the Type 49 (“Gold Leaf” red and white two-tone), and Type 72 (“JPS” black/gold) to recall their successful Grand Prix car type numbers.
October 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I don’t cry when people use my pictures….
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
nice car, wish i had 1 lol!!!
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:47 pm
how much do u want 4 that car? i want it lol!!!
April 4th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
one of these i would like to buy a lotus exige or elise type 72
November 21st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
makes me tingle wen i look at it, 1 of these days…
December 1st, 2008 at 3:19 am
ooh nice^^
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Hi Girlie-guys and Mr.ROBSON..
Sorry but I’m getting a little confused here, I’m actually searching for some Lotus Elise 111R pictures, just to make some Team Art for our GT5p Driving Team, and the 111R is our weekly challenge on suzuka East course, I know need to ask permission to use it, so that’s what i do at the same time here, Hopefully you wouldn’t mind Robson
and BTW everybody is invited if you got a PS3 and a GT5p copy, or just want to hang in there, we are a DK/UK driving Team (Virtual) Called FOB =
“Feeking Old Bastards” yes we are in the more mature age.. Anyways, This site is awesome, super great Pictures Robson, and BTW if I add lets say FOB adverts to the Car Skin, I wont remove your Copyright logo’s down left, of course not, I’m not a thief, just a creative mind..
Thanks In advance and Dream Extreme..
FOB_MoFF_Two Aka Flagmo-T.com
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
FOB_MoFF_Two
You have my permission to do this.. I see your website, i like it..
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Great Robson And thank you m8..
Just need to say, That I’m not the Webmaster on our Team site, in fact All the nice work is done by FOB_Taylorstreet, and it’s all His Creation, I’m just a member that also have the Need, for being Creative sometimes.. Thanks Again..;)
Dream Extreme
Flagmo-T.com
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:49 am
oh im gonna have to save up if i want that car!