- The new entry-level club racer from Lotus starts at around $45,000.
- Lotus engineers shaved 53 pounds from the Elise to enhance performance.
- Suspension upgrades include Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks and an adjustable stabilizer bar.
HETHEL, England — Lotus has introduced a new entry-level sports car, the Elise Club Racer 1.6, priced in Europe from around $45,000.
The Club Racer is 53 pounds lighter than the standard Elise, thanks to such subtle weight-saving moves as eliminating the sound insulation and fitting lightweight seats and battery.
Mechanical changes include a Sport setting for the Dynamic Performance Management system, as well as the ability to switch off the DPM. The suspension has been more finely tuned, with an adjustable stabilizer bar, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs.
Customers can choose from six exterior colors: Sky Blue, Saffron Yellow, Ardent Red, Aspen White, Matte Black and Carbon Grey.
Inside Line says: A surprisingly affordable club racer. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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gtr_rocks says:
12:08 PM, 03/02/2011
Comparing Lotus and Boxter is insane. Boxter is one of the ugliest looking cars. I drove Boxter, Z4 and Lotus. Lotus is by far the Best in its class. The next best in its class is Honda S2000. Unfortunately they dont make it anymore. Lotus is not meant for comfort its more for Track. The new lotus is insanely cute. Also compairing to Celica is not fair. Engine alone does'nt make a complete car.
Toyota's Engine is great and reliable. I would buy Lotus anyday except that I already have a Nissan GTR and Honda S2000 and a Lexus. I want to buy Lotus after an year or two. Save some money sell Honda S2000.
k55 says:
10:09 AM, 02/22/2011
cmike2780 says:
06:55 AM, 02/22/2011
Why would you even compare this to a Boxter? The Elise has never been about creature comforts. It's about going fast in a lightweight chassis making no apologies about its lack luxury interior. If you don't get the point of this car, stick to driving a Hyundai. This is a track car!!
Apparently there is some commonality Mike. 45-50 k price bracket, mid engine, roadster,premium brand .....and its not " just a track car". The Elise was and is a street car that can be used on the track. You stick to your Hyundai Mikey as many others here dont agree despite your using two exclamation points. Shouting wont help convince us. Maybe Lotus is too far out there for most .If you see how this car is going to change in its next iteration due soon maybe Lotus themselves is changing their tune when it comes to the Elise. Take a look. It is extreme but so is an Ariel Atom or Catherham Super 7 and they are also street cars that can be used on the track. Doesnt mean that they are soley track cars.
cmike2780 says:
06:55 AM, 02/22/2011
Why would you even compare this to a Boxter? The Elise has never been about creature comforts. It's about going fast in a lightweight chassis making no apologies about its lack luxury interior. If you don't get the point of this car, stick to driving a Hyundai. This is a track car!!
k55 says:
11:49 AM, 02/20/2011
45k affordable? according to who? I had a Boxster 2.7 245hp at 47k and much more creature comforts than this........and I was able to get in and out of it with practicing zen yoga. Take it down to 40k or so .
dmpete says:
05:33 AM, 02/20/2011
Don't know about the clubracer, but you can find every kind of Cayman, CaymanS you want for 40-45K, I know b/c I've done the research. 06-07 definitley, 08-09, mabye....
a1c_scg says:
07:07 AM, 02/19/2011
DLu-
Either way. I'd take a new base Boxster or Cayman for similar money and have a much less one-dimensional car that's almost as fun, or buy a nice used Boxter/Cayman S and have a faster car, or I'd spring the extra money for a new S.
I have nothing against this car in itself, but Lotus really got carried away w/ the price on these things. I mean, they use freakin Celica engines. For the price, I'd at least have liked a better engine choice, ala K20. But I digress.
DLu says:
06:48 PM, 02/18/2011
@ a1c_scg,
Where do you find a Cayman that's $45k? I assume you are not talking about used prices because those prices vary wildly. The Boxter is just pedestrian (in the $45k-$50k range).
smallfield says:
06:07 PM, 02/18/2011
Sounds good - is the 45K with VAT? If so it'd be cheaper in the US
Are they doing a US offering? I thought the 1.6 was UK only and we had the toyota 1.8
rkr says:
12:35 PM, 02/18/2011
Why would I spend $45K on this when I have seen the future of Lotus, and it looks bright?
a1c_scg says:
10:52 AM, 02/18/2011
Still too much. I remeber these things supposed to have been affordable when they came out. They've just gone up and up. Give me a Boxster or Cayman anyday instead.....