race-bred lotus elise S cup car suited for track and daily road use
images courtesy of lotus cars

 

 

 

boasting a maximum power of 217 hp and torque levels of 184 lb-ft at 4600 rpm, the lotus ‘elise S cup’ can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a speed of 140 mph. acknowledging these figures, the new car, developed from the ‘elise cup R’, has an unquestionable racing-heritage and even beat its predecessor’s hethel lap time by 3.0s. this focus on track-testing was to ensure that no competition pedigree was lost, even though the model is fully suited for road-driving. these dual characteristics enable the vehicle to be used for sunday racing and then driven comfortably to work on monday – a trait that remains coherent within the brand.

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side view of the road-legal automobile

 

 

 

jean-marc gales, CEO group lotus plc, stated: ‘this engaging new model accentuates the pure driving competence elicited by lotus. light, agile and significantly faster on-track than the standard elise S, it will appeal to competition-minded enthusiasts.’

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to express the model’s racing performance and even to enhance it further, the body bolsters a front splitter, end winglets and tail wing which benefit the aerodynamics by increasing the downforce by a max of 125kg at full velocity. in its strive to transition from track to road, the lotus ‘elise S cup’ is equipped with a T45 specification roll-hoop which ensures safety as well rigidity.

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the car features new additions, such as the front splitter, end winglets, lateral bargeboards, fixed roof, tail wing and rear diffuser

 

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the car’s interior