- Lotus unveils the concept model for its future 2015 Elise.
- The new Elise will offer a 320-horsepower forced-induction 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
- Price of this new top-end Elise is projected to be near $55,000.
PARIS — This is the all-new Lotus Elise, the company's concept portrayal of the future 2015 production model, a car the company describes as a "grown-up" Elise. And it's certainly that, with a 320-horsepower forced-induction 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, substantially more powerful than the current Elise.
That might suggest a significant shift upmarket from today's diminutive lightweight two-seater, but this is the most potent powertrain — less powerful, more affordable engines will also be offered, all of them Toyota units suitably modified by Lotus. Stop-start is standard, along with six-speed manual transmission, and a dual-clutch paddle-shift auto is being added as an option.
Low weight remains a key feature of the car, although it has broken the 1-metric-ton barrier with its 2,409-pound curb weight. The price of this new 320-hp Elise is projected at $55,000 — around $15,800 more than today's entry-level Elise — although less expensive versions are expected.
Lotus is stressing the relative ease of entering and exiting the future Elise, the current model being notorious for demanding muscle-mashing acrobatic maneuvers to get into and out of. It looks very much like a smaller version of the automaker's new Esprit from a front three-quarters angle, with its inverted trapezoidal grille, flanking air intakes and hooped roof line.
The interior is a vastly more sophisticated design than the current car provides, but it retains the same spare quality. The most dramatic feature is a longitudinal spar floating over the center console, which carries the gearchange, ventilation outlets and minor switchgear including ESP settings.
Carbon fiber is used extensively throughout the cabin. The pod-shaped instrument binnacle contains graphic rendering of race circuits for track-day use, with readouts for lap times. The instruments include a digital speedometer and an analog tach, while a Ferrari-style LED progressive gearshift change-up display appears at the top of the wheel rim. The concept features cameras instead of door mirrors, but these are unlikely to make production.
Lotus is claiming a 4.3-second sprint time to 62 mph for this high-end version of the new Elise, which revs to 7,800 rpm. No top speed was provided. According to Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, "The Elise 2015 will also be class-leading in terms of performance and efficiency, but it will do more than that — it will take the Elise model to the forefront of its class across the board."
This Elise is one of no fewer than five new models revealed by Lotus at the Paris show in a product offensive almost certainly unprecedented in the sports-car world. Although Lotus has new management and fresh funding, it faces a mighty challenge bringing all these models to market. It will be aided by its recently strengthened relationship with Toyota as an engine supplier, but it will face considerable challenges bringing all this new range to market at the required quality level.
Inside Line says: The new Elise is critical to Lotus' fresh strategy as the model with the strongest connection to the current range and the company's existing owner body. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
smallfield says:
06:51 PM, 10/03/2010
How is this not lotus- 2400 lbs is probably 600lbs lighter than most 300+ hp competitors.
They just need to make another smaller one with 200 hp again, but hard to get through U.S. spec. Didn't they have an exemption for the current elise?
sportyaccordy says:
03:08 PM, 10/03/2010
I like it. People say it's generic... OK. Point out the other 2400 lb mid engined cars available for 60K. 80K. 100K. It's still very unique; it just made the move into the 21st century.
jeremy0818 says:
11:00 AM, 10/01/2010
It seems Lotus is going all-in. Jacking up their staple car's price up 30%, change their identity completely anything from philosophy to design and add like twice the number of models, all on the expensive end of the spectrum.
If they want controversial revolutionary changes, they may be better off just creating and selling some small/mid-size sedans or a mini-SUVs. Or even just sell some Proton hatchbacks with re-badging. At least they have higher and safer chance of commercial success that way.
Perhaps Akio Toyoda isn't satisfied with the LF-A project and decided to buy Lotus from Proton to pursue the creation of 'Japanese Ferrari'.
mac91 says:
03:17 AM, 10/01/2010
Having owned the original Elan and Europa along with their problems, I am ready for this break from tradition.
akula1 says:
11:10 AM, 09/30/2010
Thank god a DCT or sequential finally. Is that the roof or a hardtop accessory? Only one problem for me. That's almost 300lbs heavier than my MR2. Lotus needs to be careful loosing its identity while moving mass market though.
skidrive9 says:
10:52 AM, 09/30/2010
Wow looks stunning. They kept some design cues like the rear end and transformed them into a futuristic . . . .thing. It's pretty sweet. ALmost looks like the rear of a snowspeeder from star wars lol
f1ndler says:
10:49 AM, 09/30/2010
I don't dig this new design. It looks just like a typical Japanese sports car. Lotus had always had a unique design, appealing only to light and quick roadster-type car enthusiasts.
This is not Lotus anymore - it's Toyota.
tysken says:
10:09 AM, 09/30/2010
I really like the new designs Lotus are showing, even though they are quite similiar (Elise, Elan and Esprit). Also, I have no fear they'll make the cars fat and clumsy. Lotus is Lotus, and no one would be stupid enough to throw its soul away. It'd be suicide.
And, I might as well add it: Come 2015, bye-bye Porsche Cayman! Lotus Elise is way cooler!
lotusshell says:
08:27 AM, 09/30/2010
wow.
Just take tradition, and throw it out the window.