| Lotus unveiled the new entry-level Elise S at the London motor show, filling the gap in the range created with the demise of MG-Rover, whose K-Series engine had powered the Elise since its introduction.
The new model, like the rest of the range, uses a Toyota engine but for this application a 1.8 litre variable valve timing variable valve timing unit from the Corolla. Developing 136 PS (100 kw) and 127 lb ft (172 Nm), the S has a kerb weight of only 860kg and can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 s before reaching a top speed of 127 mph.
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Lotus Elise S |
Making a return to Hethel, Mike Kimberley, CEO Group Lotus plc, is delighted with the Elise S and considers it to be absolutely faithful to Lotus tradition whilst offering excellent value for money: “The arrival of our new Elise S is good news for lovers of pure sportscars in all intended markets. The value for money proposition offered by the car is second to none and takes the wonderful Lotus Elise range back into the heart of the mainstream sportscar market.”
Available in Europe now, the car will not be sold in the United States for homologation reasons.
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New GT Coupé: the Europa S
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Kimberley also spoke of future plans for Lotus, which will: “Focus on expanding the model range.” The Europa S, on sale from September, represents the start of that process and is described by Kimberley as “A little more everyday [use] in character.”
There is to be an expansion of high tech consultancy and a return to niche model development for major OEMs, in the mould of the Lotus Carlton.
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