20 years ago Lotus unveiled the Elise sports car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995. Now Lotus is celebrating the anniversary with the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Elise.
20 years ago Lotus unveiled the Elise sports car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995. Now Lotus is celebrating the anniversary with the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Elise.
It is sometimes hard to believe that the Elise has been around for 20 years. It was ground breaking when it was launched and continues to be the benchmark for handling and performance in its class. Over the years we have improved and refined the Elise but we have also ensured that we have retained the purity of the driving experience and for the Elise to remain as the sports car to which other marques aspire,” stated Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus.
Based on the Elise S Club Racer, the Elise 20th Anniversary is powered by a 217-hp supercharged 1.8L four-cylinder engine. It reaches 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 145 mph. Thanks to some weight-saving modifications the 20th Anniversary Edition is 22 pounds lighter, weighing in at only 2,015 pounds.
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Additional equipment compared to the Elise S is designed to reduce weight, including lightweight matte black forged wheels, lightweight center console in body color and lightweight sports seats in leather or Alcantara with color coded stitching. A sport mode is also included which increases throttle response and alters the traction slip thresholds allowing the driver enhanced control before intervention.
Four Elise colors are available in Blue, Green, Yellow and Silver and the rear diffuser, wing mirrors, roll hoop cover and rear transom are in matte black. Elise 20th Anniversary decals inside on the dashboard and seats and outside above the side indicator identify the anniversary special edition. Unfortunately the Elise 20th Anniversary Edition will not be available in the U.S. since the Elise is no longer sold here.
Source: Lotus
