To mark the 50th anniversary of the company’s famous Hethel site, Lotus has revealed the latest addition to its collection, the exclusive Elise 250 Special Edition.
Based on the Elise Cup 250 launched earlier this year, the new Lotus Elise 250 Special Edition offers an outstanding combination of performance and panache. It tips the scales at just 899 kg through the utilisation of lightweight materials including carbon fibre and aluminium.
Powered by a supercharged 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine, the Elise 250 Special Edition boasts 243hp at 7200rpm and 250Nm of torque between 3500rpm and 5500rpm. This, along with the car’s 899kg kerb weight, contributes to the impressive 270 hp/tonne headline figure.
Fitted with a slick, 6-speed manual gearbox, the Elise also features a driver selectable ‘Sport’ setting, which proportionally increases throttle response, lowers traction slip thresholds and allows enhanced control before the system intervenes.
The new car recently laps the company’s Hethel test circuit in 1 minute 34 seconds – the fastest recorded time for a production road-going Elise. The car carries over the same suspension and braking components from the Elise Cup 250, including Bilstein sports dampers and Eibach coaxial coil springs and double wishbone suspension. AP Racing twin-piston front calipers, and Brembo single-piston rear calipers work in conjunction with the track-tuned ABS system.
However, far from being solely performance orientated, the Elise 250 Special Edition is also designed to appeal aesthetically. A selection of beautifully finished carbon-fibre components come as standard, including a front splitter, rear wing, tailgate and front access panel, all giving the car considerable kerb appeal.
The Elise 250 Special Edition is available in a choice of 4 colours. Classic metallic blue, red, yellow and white finishes are all complemented by ultralight forged wheels in silver, or black as an option. An optional carbon fibre hardtop roof panel is also available.
The same attention to detail continues inside, with the carbon-fibre sports seats finished in either blue and silver or black and silver leather, and stitched with a choice of contrasting colours. The car’s door trim is afforded the same hand-stitched finish.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented, “When we first introduced the Elise, it redefined how involving and exciting, yet civilised, a sports car could be. As the Elise was conceived, designed, engineered and is built at Hethel, we wanted a 50th tribute that’s even lighter than the fastest road-going Elise we’ve ever produced. The new Elise 250 Special Edition achieves that, so it’s supremely quick and agile, but it’s also wonderfully finished and stunning to look at.”
The Elise 250 Special Edition is limited to just 50 examples and it is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It retails for £47,900 in the UK, €64,000 in Germany and ¥9.4m in Japan.
