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Chapman was a pioneer in creating lightweight cars, his innovations changed the face of racing car design forever. From the introduction of ‘ground effect’, aerofoil wings, monocoque chassis and active-ride suspension through to the aluminium bonded chassis of the modern line up, Lotus have never stopped inventing and the passion for innovation remains at the core of everything they do today.
For Lotus, motorsport is tradition, inspiration and the cornerstone of its brand. Colin Chapman inspired Lotus’ racing success and applied his engineering genius to make Lotus cars technically innovative and ultimately faster than the competition. As ambitious now as in the past, this dedication to motorsport continues with Lotus gearing up in competitions around the world. In Formula 1, Indycar and numerous GT series’, Lotus Elise is up to speed; from Indianapolis to Le Mans to Monaco, Lotus is making an impression in the world’s most famous events on the most demanding circuits. These high-profile international events are complimented by dedicated Lotus one-make race series for the Evora and Elise.
Colin Chapman constructed a series of aerodynamically advanced, lightweight sports racing cars during the 1950s - typified by the Lotus Eleven that won its class at Le Mans in 1957. Often quoted, though still as valid today as when he first uttered the words at the launch of the Lotus Seven in 1957, Chapman’s ethos was - “to increase performance, add lightness”. His engineering ideals endure in the Lotus Elise, with few cars rivalling its tactile agility. A mid-engined, rear-wheel drive with an ultra-responsive chassis, utilising lightweight materials such as aluminium and composite deliver the ultimate driving sensation, providing phenomenal feedback with surefooted handling. A reputation as a true driver’s car combined with low CO2 emissions mean the Elise is the perfect sports car for today’s roads.
The name Lotus Elise is synonymous with sublime handling and poised vehicle dynamics around the world. The Elise leads the way with its lightweight, state-of-the-art, extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, allied to motorsport derived wishbone suspension with body panels made from lightweight composite. Its unique design ensures an extremely rigid chassis, and the perfect foundation for an agile sports car. Production combines high technology processes with hand finishing techniques, from chassis construction through to final assembly. Teams of specialists oversee every process ensuring Lotus’ high-quality engineering standards are met. With engineering effectiveness comes efficiency, allowing Lotus to extract every aspect of dynamic performance from each component remaining true to Chapmans’ original principle of performance through lightweight.
A 2012 Lotus Elise is like a ‘glove on the hand’, a second skin channelling feedback into your hands and feet via the steering wheel and the pedals. Designed to deliver, it inspires confidence with precision control, perfect balance and pedigree dynamics. From its functional aerodynamics, to its mid-engined construction with optimum weight distribution, through to its race-derived components, such as Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs and track tuned braking system the Elise’s dynamic intent is clear. Proof of its prowess is the Lotus Cup race series: the Elise is as much at home on the circuit as it is on rural roads. It tracks superbly, sticking tight to the tarmac as you establish a rhythm and flow through the turns. But you’d expect that given its evolution at the famous Hethel test track.
Since its launch, the Lotus Elise has been hailed as one of the best sports cars that money can buy, creating perfect harmony between driver and machine. The latest generation to carry the evocative name retains the supple road holding, fluid dynamics and tactile feedback of the original and combines this with efficient performance and economy. Its compelling agility is a given. The incredibly lightweight and stiff chassis and finely tuned wishbones and dampers, allied to Lotus DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) and sticky Yokohama tyres provide absolute handling precision. No other sports car tackles the open road with the verve of an Elise, where every driver input has such a clear and measurable effect on the car’s behaviour. Offering wind-in-the-hair motoring in its purest form, the Elise’s personality can be quickly modified to suit your mood, with its character defining soft top and optional hard top ensuring driving thrills across all seasons.
The 2012 Lotus Elise handles the transition from open-road to urban grind with consummate ease. Its compact dimensions make navigating narrow city roads easy, and its distinctive styling ensures plenty of on-road presence. In fluctuating traffic conditions the ‘SPS’ (Serial Precision Shift) automated manual version with paddle shift control provides a more relaxed transport mode thanks to its automatic shift selection. Due a dose of retail therapy? You’ll be surprised how accommodating the rear stowage area is. While its unique combination of supercar looks and performance coupled with its low running costs and CO2 emissions of just 149 g/km in the standard Lotus Elise make it an exciting alternative for the city, bringing some fun to your everyday commute.
The 2012 Elise is a pure-bred sports car, offering exhilarating top-down motoring at an affordable price. Power is provided by an eager 1.6-litre engine, a lightweight in-line four, producing 134 hp with impressive CO2 emissions of just 149 g/km. In simple terms, supercar performance combined with city car economy. The key to this superb balance of engine performance and efficiency is the Valvematic system, a variable valve lift mechanism which combines with dual VVT-i technology. The engine continuously controls valve timing and lift to vary the volume of airflow, ensuring optimal performance based on the engines operational condition. Access this performance via a 6 speed manual transmission with sports ratios or the new SPS (Serial Precision Shift) automated manual option.
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