Officiell pressrelease - Elise 111R

[Guest]

Overview

Hethel, England: February 2004

The Lotus Elise 111R is the latest addition to the Lotus stable and introduces to the market the most powerful and highest performing production Elise.

With a VVTL-i engine (Variable Valve Timing and Lift-Intelligent) producing a maximum power output of 192 PS (189hp, 141kW) and 181Nm (133.5 lbs.ft) of torque, the Elise 111R sprints to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds (0-60mph in 4.9 seconds) and 160km/h (100mph) in 13.0 seconds before reaching a certified top speed of 241km/h (150mph).

This performance is achieved through a balance of environmental considerations with the fully Euro IV Emissions Compliant engine helping the Elise to return 8.8 litres/100km (32.1mpg) on the combined cycle, as well as the very low figure of 208g/km of CO2 emissions.

For the first time, track tuned, high specification ABS with servo assisted brakes is offered as standard on the Elise 111R.

Through careful management of weight and clever design the Elise 111R weighs in at 860kg (1892lbs) - unladen with no options - giving a power to weight ratio of 223PS/tonne (220hp/tonne, 164kW/tonne).

The Lotus Elise 111R goes on sale in February 2004.

Background

The Lotus Elise is a true sportscar that has taken the world by storm, winning countless awards for handling, innovation and just pure fun. The Elise was first unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 1995 before entering production with first deliveries in August 1996. Since then, over 17,000 Elises have been built – some achievement for a car that was originally designed to be built in volumes of only 700 a year! The Elise was designed as a sportscar to be appreciated by real driving enthusiasts, fashion leaders and those who really appreciate technology and innovation.

The Lotus Elise introduced a range of technologies that revolutionised the automotive industry; such as a chassis made from extruded and bonded aluminium, a composite energy absorbing front crash structure and light weight composite body panels. The whole car weighed in at half the weight of an average family saloon. This light weight bestowed the car with phenomenal acceleration and handling. In 1996 the Lotus Elise was easily pulling 1g in steady state cornering with standard production tyres and a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 5.9 seconds.

In 2000 Lotus introduced the second generation Elise. This evolutionary car, arguably one of the most important cars in Lotus’ fifty-two year history, added to the technology introduced on the Elise in 1996. It was a big stride forward, achieving the quality standards expected of a world leading sportscar manufacturer and globally respected engineering consultancy. This Elise introduced industry standard quality, much of it based upon the learning gained from working with Lotus’ global motor industry partners.

All Lotus Elises are hand assembled by skilled craftsmen at Lotus' headquarters in Hethel, England. Each Elise takes about 100 man-hours to build and the final product is fine testament to the skills of Lotus.

The Interior

As soon as a driver sits behind the wheel of a Lotus, they instantly know that they are in something special. From the composite sports seats that hug the driver under the g-forces that are experienced on cornering, acceleration and braking, to the race designed steering wheel and the extruded aluminium pedals perfectly suited to both cruising as well as hard driving - the Elise is a car that invites to be driven.

The twin instrumentation dials show road speed and engine speed (for the 111R, now showing to 10,000rpm) and are updated for 2004 across the whole of the Elise range, with clearer graphics and orange back lighting which is proven to be easier on the eye. Links between the Elise and the track have always been strong, and the ambience of the facia and trim with the chassis tub sides provoke a strong sense of being seated in a racing derived but comfortable cockpit.

A four speaker Blaupunkt stereo system with CD player is provided as standard along with a radio receiver wiring loom including dipole aerial kit located in the front of the Elise 111R.

The legendary chassis…

During the early days of the original Elise development programme, Lotus searched for an appropriate and available chassis technology for its new lightweight sportscar. Unable to find a suitable technology, and unwilling to compromise, Lotus set out to change the rules. Lotus engineers looked outside the automotive industry and brought together aluminium extrusions and modern aerospace bonding techniques to produce a lightweight and exceptionally rigid structure.

The ground-breaking epoxy-bonded aluminium tub chassis, unveiled in September 1995 represented a breakthrough in sportscar technology.

The structure is an assembly of individually extruded lengths bonded together by epoxy resin adhesive, a world first in automobile manufacture. The adhesive used to bond the Lotus chassis achieves exceptional strength with the ability to absorb the most extreme loads, pressures and forces that it may encounter. Never before had a modern vehicle’s chassis been bonded together.

The bonding of lap joints provides a superior joint to traditionally welded butted joints (with bonded joints, there is no distortion of the material’s integrity at the join). Self-pierce rivets further increase the structural integrity through reducing material ‘peel’ in the most severe of impacts.

The chassis received modifications in 2000, including lower, reinforced longitudinal sills to improve the access into the cockpit.

Now with the introduction of the VVTL-i power unit, further enhancements have been made to the rear of the chassis structure. Utilising experience gained from the development of advanced lightweight steel, a new highly efficient rear subframe offers increased strength. In keeping with Lotus’ philosophy, this structure is an elegant integrated single solution for the engine cradle and improved suspension and exhaust silencer mounting points.

Ride and handling that sets the benchmark…

The aluminium chassis allows vehicle dynamics engineers at Lotus to continue to set standards by which all other sportscars are judged. Indeed, the Elise continues to build on the multi-award winning ride and handling for which it has become renowned the world over.

Lotus has taken a no-compromise approach in carrying over these philosophies to the Elise 111R. The development team has succeeded in creating a car that leaves the driver craving more time in the cockpit and more road on which to enjoy the thrill and engagement of each journey.

Run in parallel to Lotus’ USA (Federal) Elise programme, the 111R faced a gruelling development programme exceeding 500,000 miles throughout 2003 that took the car across Europe and the USA. This has resulted in an exciting and progressive ride and handling package that integrates the constituents that make up the dynamics characteristics, tuning them to work in harmony with each other, the driver and the road.

For the Elise 111R, the Eibach coaxial coil springs and Bilstein high pressure monotube gas dampers have been retuned and optimised to maintain the Elise’s trademark agility, body control and poise while improving the isolation of both smaller and larger impacts.

The unique Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tyres (175/55R16 front and 225/45R17 rear) have been carried over from the Lotus Elise and the Elise 111S. The Lotus Ride and Handling team have maximised the ability to hone the chassis and tyre characteristics to ensure that this latest and highest performing version of the Elise holds true to Lotus’ values of peerless ride and handling and pure driving fun.

An ABS system like no other…

The servo-assisted four-channel system individually monitors and distributes braking force to each wheel as required, enhancing braking performance and minimising stopping distance.

However, Lotus has specifically tuned the initiation point to allow a skilled driver to maximise the potential of the braking system through the utilisation of forward weight transfer. In the event of the driver demanding more braking performance than is possible, only then does the system intervene to optimise the force generated at the wheel.

Power-to-weight in abundance…

Lotus undertook a thorough and exhaustive evaluation of a wide range of state-of-the-art engines. Toyota’s 2ZZ-GE 1.8 litre 4 cylinder 16-valve VVTL-i engine and C64 six-speed gearbox was chosen as an outstanding package, excellently suited to the Elise.

This engine has breath taking power and torque characteristics, and critically for a Lotus, is lightweight, featuring a compact metal matrix composite alloy cylinder block.

A bespoke exhaust system has been developed for the Elise 111R with the twin exhaust pipes exiting through the rear diffuser.

Lotus subjected the 2ZZ-GE to a rigorous testing and development programme covering a wide range of extreme climate conditions from the Arctic Circle to the Arizona and Nevada deserts, and at altitude in Colorado. Furthermore, the engine management system, bifurcated exhaust downpipe, and bespoke gearshift mechanism are designed and developed by Lotus, resulting in a power unit perfectly integrated with the Elise’s chassis and dynamics.

Lotus has tuned the engine to suit the very essence of the Elise by employing a brand new, custom-engineered Lotus T4 engine management system (EMS). The software for the EMS was designed and developed by Lotus specifically for the Elise 111R. All calibration and validation work was undertaken solely by Lotus engineers, ensuring that the Elise performs as a true Lotus should.

Toyota’s world-renowned VVTL-i system allows the engine management system the flexibility to select the optimum camshaft profile, lift and timing across the full range of engine operating conditions. This interaction between the Lotus T4 EMS and the VVTL-i system gives the Elise its optimum linear torque characteristics, peaking at 181Nm (133.5 lb.ft) @ 6800rpm coupled with the peak power of 192 PS (189hp, 141kW) at 7800rpm.

The all-aluminium lightweight Toyota C64 six-speed gearbox is fitted with an all-new Lotus designed and developed shift operating mechanism. With the closest ratios and gearset afforded by the transmission, the gearbox offers a fast, precise and light gearshift, ensuring drivers have total control and flexibility to apply the power exactly as and when required.

True to Colin Chapman’s philosophy of performance through lightweight, the power density available from the Toyota power unit gives the Elise a staggering 223PS/tonne (220hp/tonne, 164kW/tonne) and a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds (0-60mph in 4.9 seconds)!

Proof, if needed, that there actually is a substitute for "cubic inches"!

Equipment

Standard equipment for the Elise 111R includes: half leather interior, sun visors, central door locking, Blaupunkt Lausanne radio CD-R/W player and Blaupunkt high performance front and rear speakers

Optional equipment includes a Touring Pack, which provides a combination of options designed to increase comfort and convenience, while still maintaining the essence of a Lotus sports car. This pack includes:

Auxiliary front driving lights, a choice of either full leather or Alcantara trim, a soft-top with sound and thermal insulation, electric windows, an upgraded Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB radio, CD-R/W and MP3 player, interior stowage net, sound insulation, and full carpet with a lightweight aluminium passenger footrest.

Other options also include metallic paint, air-conditioning and a body coloured hard top.[/b]

[Guest]

Specifications (UK)

Engine
Mid-mounted, transverse, 1796cm3, 2ZZ-GE engine, Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) & aluminium lightweight and compact construction, 4 cylinders in line, water cooled, naturally aspirated with double overhead camshafts exploiting a Variable Valve Timing & Lift with intelligence (VVTL-i) system, hydraulic tappets, 4 valves per cylinder, multi-point sequential fuel injection and electronic ignition.

Engine management
Lotus engine control unit

Max Power
141kW (189hp, 192PS) @ 7800min-1

Max Torque
181Nm (133lbft, 18.5kgm) @ 6800min-1

Power to weight ratio
164kW/t (220hp/t, 223PS/t)

Specific power output
78.5kW/L (105hp/litre, 107PS/litre)

Emissions control
Three-way catalytic converter.

Euro IV emissions compliant with full On-Board Diagnostics (OBD).

Transmission
C64 Gearbox, aluminium lightweight construction, 6-speed, close ratio, constant mesh helical gears and open differential.

Suspension
Fully independent suspension utilising unequal length wishbones, Bilstein mono-tube gas damper, Eibach coaxial coil spring at each corner and front anti-roll bar.

Chassis
Lotus designed lightweight structure of epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with integral steel seat-belt support structure and lightweight steel rear subframe.

Steering
Solidly mounted mechanical rack and pinion steering box with 2.8 turns lock-to-lock.

Brakes
Servo-assisted, track tuned 4-channel Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Lotus/AP-Racing twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy front brake calipers, Brembo single-piston sliding rear calipers and 282mm diameter, 26mm thick front and rear cast-iron ventilated & cross-drilled discs.

Gear ratios

First
3.116:1

Second
2.050:1

Third
1.481:1

Fourth
1.166:1

Fifth
0.916:1

Sixth
0.815:1

Reverse
3.250:1

Final drive
4.529:1

Performance Figures

0-60mile/h
4.9s

0-100km/h
5.2s

0-100mile/h (160km/h)
13.0s

Maximum speed
241km/h (150mile/h)

Fuel consumption – urban
12.1litre/100km (23.3mile/gal(UK))

Fuel consumption – extraurban
6.8litre/100km (41.5mile/gal(UK))

Fuel consumption – combined
8.8litre/100km (32.1mile/gal(UK))

C02 emissions
208g/km (UK VED band D)

Dimensions

Wheelbase
2300mm

Track – front
1457mm

Track – rear
1507mm

Overall length
3785mm

Overall width (door mirrors excluded)
1719mm

Overall width (door mirrors included)
1850mm

Overall height - midladen (as per unladen with 2x75kg occupants)
1117mm

Overhang - front
783mm

Overhang - rear
702mm

Ground cleareance - midladen (as per unladen with 2x75kg occupants)
130mm

Vehicle mass - unladen (running order, full tank of fuel, no occupants, no luggage)
860kg (no options) - 916kg (all options)

Weight distribution
38% Front - 62% Rear

Fuel tank capacity
40litre (8.8gal(UK))

Luggage capacity
112litre / 50kg

Vehicle Specification

Air conditioning
Option

Cross-drilled brake discs
Standard

ABS with servo assisted brakes
Standard

Silver 8-spoke lightweight alloy wheels - 5.5x16" Fr & 7.5x17" Rr
Standard

Bridgestone Potenza RE040 – 175/55R16 Front & 225/45R17 Rear
Standard

Tyre puncture repair aerosol
Standard

Tool kit
Standard

Exterior Specification

Auxiliary front driving lights
Option (Touring pack)

Solid paint
Ardent Red / Old English White / Saffron Yellow

Metallic paint
Starlight Black / Glacier Blue / Magnetic Blue / Nightfall Blue / Racing Green / Aubergine Purple / Bordeaux Red / Arctic Silver / Storm Titanium

Body colour door mirror covers
Standard

Black soft-top
Standard

Body colour hard-top
Option

Silver 3-piece rear diffuser
Standard

Sill stone-chip protection film
Standard (Clear / Black)

Front mud-flaps
Standard

Interior Specification

Black carpet mats
Standard

Lightweight aluminium passenger foot-rest
Standard

Black carpet set with lightweight aluminium passenger foot-rest
Option (Touring pack)

Colour carpet set with lightweight aluminium passenger foot-rest
No cost option with Touring pack (Red / Blue / Stone)

Half-leather interior:
Standard

Half-leather seats with inflatable lumbar support
Black

Cloth door panels
Black

Plain leather door inserts
Black

Leather interior:
Option (Touring pack)

Plain/perforated leather seats with inflatable lumbar support
Black

Plain leather door panels
Black

Perforated leather door inserts
Black

Colour leather interior
No cost option with Touring pack (Red / Blue / Stone / Tan)

Alcantara interior:
Option (Touring pack)

Alcantara/carbon-effect seats with inflatable lumbar support
Black

Alcantara door panels
Black

Carbon-effect door inserts
Black

Alcantara steering wheel centre
Black

Colour alcantara interior
No cost option with Touring pack (Red, Blue)

Central door locking
Standard

Electric windows
Option (Touring pack)

Black plain leather sun-visors
Standard

Interior stowage net
Option (Touring pack)

Entertainment & Security

Audio kit:
Standard

Blaupunkt TSx 402 high performance coaxial front speakers (pair)
Within pack

Blaupunkt GTx 542 high performance 2-way coaxial rear speakers (pair)
Within pack

Radio receiver wiring loom including dipole aerial kit
within pack

Blaupunkt Lausanne - Radio, CD-R/W player
Standard

Blaupunkt Woodstock - DAB radio, CD-R/W & MP3 player, MMC/SD card reader
Option (Touring pack)

Immobiliser (Thatcham approved)
Standard

Remote activated alarm (Thatcham approved)
Standard

Tracker (stolen vehicle recovery system)
Option

Touring pack:
Option

Sound insulation
within pack

Auxiliary front driving lights
within pack

Black soft-top with sound/thermal insulation
within pack

Colour soft-top with sound/thermal insulation
within pack

Full black carpet with lightweight aluminium passenger foot-rest
within pack

Full colour carpet with lightweight aluminium passenger foot-rest
within pack

Black leather interior
within pack

Colour leather interior
within pack

Black alcantara interior
within pack

Colour alcantara interior
within pack

Electric windows
within pack

Interior stowage net
within pack

Blaupunkt Woodstock - DAB radio, CD-R/W player, MP3 ICE unit
within pack

[Atariman]

Med den här bilen borde Lotus lyckas sälja över förväntan, även i länder som Sverige (vilket ju tradionellt knappast kan sägas ha varit en bra marknad för märket).

Hur ligger det till med ÅF i Sverige nuförtiden? Är det Wendels som håller i det hela fortfarande - och i sådana fall, vad har de för planer för att lansera den här modellen (som rimligtvis borde mångdubblera försäljningen av märket i Sverige)?

Någon som vet och vill dela med sig av informationen?

[Dennis K]

860 kg - varför så tung?
Vart tog den superlätta lilla Elise vägen?

[Atariman]

Större motor, kraftigare växellåda, extra allt - sådant lägger givetvis på vikt. Men inte kan du väl ändå anklaga Elise för att vara tung, ens med en matchvikt på 860kg!?

Visst, mindre lätt än sina äldre syskon är den ju, men har å andra sidan nu nått en mognad vilket rimligtvis bör göra den intressant för en betydligt bredare marknad... Jämfört med konkurrenterna i den klassen (egentligen bara Boxster/Boxster S om man ska hårddra det till mittmotorsportvagnar i den prisklassen) så måste ju prestandan anses klart imponerande.

[Dennis K]

Större motor, kraftigare växellåda, extra allt - sådant lägger givetvis på vikt. Men inte kan du väl ändå anklaga Elise för att vara tung, ens med en matchvikt på 860kg!?

Visst, mindre lätt än sina äldre syskon är den ju, men har å andra sidan nu nått en mognad vilket rimligtvis bör göra den intressant för en betydligt bredare marknad... Jämfört med konkurrenterna i den klassen (egentligen bara Boxster/Boxster S om man ska hårddra det till mittmotorsportvagnar i den prisklassen) så måste ju prestandan anses klart imponerande.

Tung - nä... men tyngre...

Missförstå mig rätt; bilen är på många sätt imponerande, men - för mig - inte lika mycket Lotus.
När Elisen kom var den (och är) för många, inklusive mig, så absolut helrätt en Lotus kan bli; med alla de egenskaper som gjorde att jag en gång (ööh - tre gånger...) valde Lotus Europa; superlätt, mittmotor, inget onödigt krafs, etc. Låg vikt kräver ingen stor motor; inga stora bromsar, inga stenhårda stötdämpare/fjädrar etc.

111R kommer säkert att locka en bredare publik, men förutom att det tryggar företagets fortlevnad, så betyder det inget för mig.
Eller? Jo, kanske kommer Elise S1 att sjunka lite i pris

[Guest]

[Mikael_W]

gillar verkligen de gamla avgasrören bättre, skall bli spännande att se vad de kostar i sverige

[Guest]

Specifikationer i pdf, klicka HÄR