The recent Lotus Elise Series 2 sports car

A review of the recent Lotus Elise Series 2 sports car, covering the development, important features and technical data of this thirty-second model in the Lotus range.

In this article, I offer a nostalgic look at the recent Lotus Elise Series 2, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was produced during the period 2000-2006.

The Lotus Elise Series 2

The Elise Sport 190

The Lotus Elise Sport 190 Series 2 sports car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2002.

Powered by a Rover K-Series engine, developing 190 bhp and 128 ft / lbs of torque, it had a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph.

Although it is essentially a track-oriented car, equipped with sport suspension and wider wheels, it could easily become a road legal version.

The Elise Type 72

The Series 2 Lotus Elise Type 72, introduced in 2002, was similar to the Series 1 Elise Type 79 Heritage model.

It was also available with the factory-installed Sport 135 upgrade.

The Elise Type 25

The Series 2 Lotus Elise Type 25 sports car, introduced in 2002, was a limited edition variant, based on just 50 units, and was marketed in the UK only to commemorate the Type 25 Formula One race car.

It was painted in Racing Green, with two yellow stripes running the length of the car, including the hard top.

It was equipped with red leather seats and door panels, red laurels stitched to the seat headrest, and a Heritage “Type 25” plaque on the dash.

The Elise Type 99T

Introduced in 2003, the Lotus Elise Type 99T commemorated the Lotus 99T, which was the last Formula One Lotus to win a Grand Prix.

With eight-spoke wheels, painted in saffron yellow with blue accents, plus black leather carpets and sports seats, it mimicked the original race car.

The Elise USA variant

In January 2003, Lotus announced that the Lotus Elise Series 2 would be introduced in the US for the first time.

It was released in 2004 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and featured a Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine, fitted with a close-ratio six-speed Lotus gearbox.

This engine consisted of a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve dual overhead camshaft unit with variable valve timing.

It developed 190 hp, with a top speed of 147 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, or 4.7 seconds when equipped with the sport package.

There was a limited edition of 50 cars, aimed at the American market, which was called the sports car Lotus Sports Elise.

In January 2004, this American model was introduced to the UK market as the Lotus Elise 111R.

The Elise S

Launched in 2006, the Lotus Elise S sports car was classified as the entry level for the Lotus Elise.

Equipped with a five-speed gearbox, it was powered by the alternative 1.8-liter Toyota 1ZZ-FED engine, developing 134 hp, compared to 190 hp produced by the 2ZZ-GE version.

He demands

In 2004, the Lotus Exige Series 2 sports car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, powered by the same Toyota 2ZZ-GE, 1.8-liter engine and close-ratio six-speed Lotus gearbox, as used in the US launch of the Series 2 Elise. .

This engine developed 189 hp at 7,800 rpm and 133 ft.-lbs. Of torque at 6,800 rpm.

It produced a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, a 0-100 mph time of 13.3 seconds, and a top speed of 147 mph.

Unlike the Elise, it was equipped with a flat extended front splitter, a fiberglass hardtop incorporating an air intake, a transparent engine cover, and a rear spoiler.

Such additions substantially increased the downforce on the Exige, greatly improving road holding.

In February 2005, Lotus introduced a limited edition Exige, based on 50 units, which were equipped with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine and a six-speed close-ratio gearbox, to which was added an Eaton M62 supercharger.

Available only in yellow or black, and sporting a “240R” badge, this variant developed 243 bhp at 7800 rpm and 138 ft / lbs of torque at 6800 rpm.

It produced a top speed of 155 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a 0-100 mph time of 9.9 seconds.

In January 2006, the Series 2 Lotus Exige was introduced to the US market at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

In February 2006, Lotus launched the Exige S, which was powered by the Toyota 2ZZ-GE 1.8-liter variable valve timing (VVTL) dual overhead camshaft engine, which was connected to a supercharger and intercooler.

Equipped with a six-speed close-ratio gearbox, it developed 218 bhp at 7800 rpm and 159 foot-pounds of torque at 5500 rpm.

This produced a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, a 0-100 mph time of 10.0 seconds, and a top speed of 148 mph.

It had a fixed roof and a large wing at the rear supported by struts.

This variant was also introduced to the US market around the same time.

This marked the end of the recent Lotus Elise Series 2.

Perhaps this walk down memory lane could have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:

What is Lotus Sports Car You Favourite?

However, if this question still remains unanswered, I will review, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Lotus sports cars that were featured in the memorable era spanning from 1952 to 1996.

I hope you will join me on my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane.”

About the author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *