Lotus has revealed its fastest ever road-going Elise, called the Elise Cup 250.
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Headlines are a 21kg weight reduction and power boost from 220hp to 246hp, 0-62 coming up in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 154mph.
Weighing in at 931kg, 31kg more than the Cup R, the new model sprints from 0-60mph in 3.9sec (0.3sec quicker than the 220), while torque sits at 184lb ft between 3500rpm and 5500rpm.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus, said, ‘The Lotus Elise has long set the benchmark in its class, yet we’ve been able to hone its straight-line performance and handling. It comes in open-top roadster form as standard. Every aspect of the vehicle has been carefully considered: from the recalibrated ignition system, right down to the wider 195/50 R16 front tyres to give sharper, more-responsive steering.
An optional Carbon Aero pack replaces the standard front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser and side floor-extensions with lightweight carbon components and reduces weight by a further 10kg, to 921kg. All told, this adds up to a significant four-second reduction in its lap time around the Hethel test track compared with the Elise S Cup, this now 1min 34sec.
Drive is directed to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and an electronic differential lock. Carry-over parts from the S Cup include the Bilstein dampers, adjustable front anti-roll bar, Eibach springs and AP Racing front brake calipers. Inside, although Lotus has notoriously scant interior trimmings, expect to see full Alcantara seats in red or black, with leather as an optional upgrade. ICE, full carpets and enhanced sound insulation can be specified.
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Inside, new larger switches with improved haptics have been introduced for the DPM, headlights and rear fog lights, mounted together with the new engine start button. It’s on sale from April at a starting price of £45,600. The global production run will be limited to 200 units per year.
