Lotus Model Year 2011 Elise

[Nillet]

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Lotus Model Year 2011 Elise

The new Lotus Elise probably has the lowest CO2 for its performance for any gasoline high performance sportscar in the world

The Lotus Elise revolutionised the sportscar market 14 years ago when the small lightweight agile 2-seat mid engine sportscar was introduced. By ensuring that the Elise stuck rigidly to Lotus’ core values of performance through light weight, the Elise was able to produce supercar performance with city car economy.


Making its debut at the 80th International Geneva Motorshow, the 2011 model year Lotus Elise introduces a number of changes and improvements to maintain its class leading position.

For the 2011 model year, the Elise range will consist of the following variants:
• Lotus Elise – 136 PS, less than 155 g of CO2 /km – new 1.6 litre engine *
• Lotus Elise R - 192 PS, 196 g of CO2 /km - 1.8 litre engine
• Lotus Elise SC – 220 PS, 199 g of CO2 /km - 1.8 litre supercharged engine

Key changes and improvements to the whole of the 2011 model year Elise range
• New evolution body design incorporating new front clamshell, rear bumper and engine cover
• New all in one integrated headlights including LED day light running lights and LED direction indicators
• Improved aerodynamics with a reduction in Cd by 4%, resulting in better fuel economy
• New cast and forged wheels
• Vehicle warranty increased from 2 years to 3 years and 36, 000 miles

Additional changes for the 2011 model year entry level Lotus Elise
• New high technology 1ZR-FAE 1.6 litre engine with Valvematic and Dual VVT-I technology to optimise the performance and efficiency of the engine
• Less than 155 g of CO2 per km (an improvement of over 13% compared to the 2010 Elise S)*
• Combined fuel consumption 6.14 litres / 100 km (46 mpg)*
• New 6 speed close ratio gearbox
• Cruise control available as part of the Touring pack

The body – an evolution
The new 2011 model year Elise range is on sale now and will be in showrooms from April 2010. The body of the new 2011 model year Elise is an evolution of the iconic Elise design, retaining the character and style, while offering a more planted, purposeful stance and a pure, contemporary look that links it to the Evora. As with all Lotus product the design is an exciting blend of dramatic style and functional efficiency
The new Elise body has a fresh sculptured front, including a new bumper, front clam and access panel that combine to give the Elise a wider look with more road presence.
At the rear of the car the new engine has been encased by a distinctive “twin-spine” engine cover whilst lower down a more aggressive diffuser is tightly wrapped by an elegant new bumper design that now includes the rear licence plate.
New headlamp units with distinctively sculptured LED lighting guides (incorporating daytime running lamps and direction indicators) give a contemporary twist to this classic design. Elsewhere, the signature, Lotus “mouth” and familiar sculptured forms have been sensitively refined to give a crisper, more dynamic look. The repositioning of lamp functions has enabled the creation of broad clean surface between the fenders which combines with sleek corner intakes and prominent splitter detail to give a broader more planted stance.
The theme of purity is carried through to the cooling apertures that are efficiently finished with a new lightweight aluminium mesh that gives the car a classically sporting character.
The rear boot is now opened from the cockpit rather than via a separate key operation. The high quality feel of the Elise is continued throughout the car with the Elise graphic incorporated into the new side LED direction indicators, like those on the Evora.
The driving position, from the perfectly positioned pedals and steering wheel, to the comfortable and supportive seats with ProBax** technology means that, like all Lotus cars, the driver becomes part of the car rather than being just a passenger.
With the sleek new body the aerodynamics have improved giving a reduction in the coefficient of drag of 4%.
Finally, a choice of two beautiful, light weight wheel designs are available; an incredibly light forged wheel and a new cast wheel completes the picture for this sensitive update of a Lotus Icon.

Additional changes to the 2011 model year Lotus Elise
The new 2011 model year Elise has a number of additional changes and improvements, with the installation of a new advanced 1.6 litre Valvematic engine meeting EURO 5 regulations. This new engine is 200cc smaller than the outgoing Elise S model and produces similar power (136 PS, 100 kW, 134 hp at 6800 rpm) with maximum torque of 160 Nm, 118 lbft at 4400 rpm, but offers a significant improvement to fuel economy of over 23%, to 6.14 litres / 100km (46 mpg)* and a reduction in CO2 emission by more than 13%*. This provides the new Lotus Elise with the lowest CO2 per performance for any gasoline high performance sportscar in the world. This high technology engine is mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox, providing closer and more performance orientated ratios than the outgoing 5 speed box.
The 1.6 litre engine is controlled via the bespoke Lotus T6 engine management system. Cruise control is available on the Elise for the first time with the controls present on a stalk located to the left of the steering column.
New cast wheels have been designed specifically for the Elise and the new optional forged wheels weigh just 29.26 kg per set, 2.14 kg lighter than a set of lightweight cast versions. Both are available in silver or black colour.
Dany Bahar, Chief Executive of Group Lotus said, “The Lotus Elise revolutionised the sportscar when it was launched 14 years ago and now the Lotus Elise has become greener, giving drivers access to class leading performance with less guilt.”
Donato Coco, Director of Design said, “The Elise is an iconic sportscar and it was important that we did not complicate its design, so we made the car more pure in its look, improved the aerodynamics, and gave it a more contemporary look with high quality detailing.”
Paul Newsome, Director of Lotus Product Engineering said, “We are always looking at ways of keeping the Elise ahead of its peers and for the 2011 model year we have improved efficiency without losing the innate fun that has made the Elise legendary.”
Andreas Prillmann, Chief Commercial Officer for Lotus Cars said, “In its 14 years of production the Elise has accounted for 32% of all the 61 years of Lotus production, illustrating how significant to the brand and well loved it is. The 2011 model year Elise is greener, purer and more desirable, making it even more relevant to today’s marketplace. The new Elise underlines Lotus’ reputation as one of the most innovative sports car manufacturers in the world.”

Performance
Lotus Elise
0 – 60 mph 6.0 seconds*
0 – 100 km/h 6.7 seconds*
Maximum speed 200 km/h (124 mph)*
Lotus Elise R
0 – 60 mph 5.1 seconds
0 – 100 km/h 5.4 seconds
Maximum speed 222 km/h (138 mph)

Lotus Elise SC
0 – 60 mph 4.3 seconds
0 – 100 km/h 4.6 seconds
Maximum speed 233 km/h (145 mph)

The 2011 model year Elise in more detail.
The Elise - the entry model
Engine
The Lotus Elise introduces the new 1598 cm3, 1ZR-FAE engine, provided by Toyota. The key to this engine’s performance and efficiency is the Valvematic system (a variable valve lift mechanism), which is combined with the dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent). The engine continuously controls intake valve opening/closing timing and the intake valve lift to vary the volume of the intake airflow, giving significant improvements in efficiency and fuel economy. This ensures optimal performance based on the engines operational condition, thus helping the Elise achieve both high fuel efficiency and high performance.
First of all, the maximum power output is achieved at near maximum revs (engine speed) of 6800 rpm and maximum torque (a respectable 160 Nm, 118 lb.ft) is reached at 4400 rpm. This gives a good combination of mid range pull but also encourages the driver to rev the engine to the maximum permitted engine speed of 7000 rpm (transient rev limit). Like all Elise sportscars, there are three shift up lights, on the binnacle cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated, they flash to indicate that the driver is almost on the rev limiter so time to change up a gear!
The height of the engine cover has been raised by 34mm to accommodate the taller 1ZR engine compared to the previous 1ZZ engine from the outgoing model due, in part, to the additional Valvematic technology included on the new engine. This has given Lotus engineers an opportunity to subtly redesign the rear engine cover to match the design theme from the front and rear of the car.

Chassis
The Lotus Elise is built around the revolutionary and award winning extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, with a lightweight steel rear subframe. The chassis weighs 68 kg (150 lbs) and has a stiffness of 9,800 Nm per degree, giving a high level of control of the suspension. At the rear, and also acting as a rear energy absorbing crash structure, a lightweight steel subframe carries the engine and gearbox. At the front, the radiator and key ancillaries are mounted into a high tech composite energy absorbing crash structure that is both lightweight, compact and over three times more energy absorbing than the equivalent steel structure.

Ride and handling
The legendary Lotus ride and handling gives a superb high performance, sporty drive, combined with a compliant ride and progressive on limit handling, it makes the Elise a car that demands to be driven. The entry level Lotus Elise weighs 876 kg, making it one of the lightest fully homologated sportscars in the world. This low weight translates into efficient performance with minimal environmental impact in terms of emissions and fuel consumption. The efficiency of the Elise structure means that the 136 PS (100 kW, 134 hp) delivers phenomenal performance. Few cars can match the delicacy and accuracy of the steering, throttle and brakes of the Elise and all of these factors contribute to the excellent driving experience of the Elise.

Safety
The Elise has high performance AP Racing callipers at the front and Brembo callipers at the rear linked to 282 mm vented and cross-drilled cast iron discs to give excellent stopping power. The Elise comes as standard with a track tuned ABS system that is designed to be unobtrusive under normal driving conditions. This system is designed to be used on track and has a high threshold, only intervening in emergencies. The ABS system is linked to a lightweight pedal box with steel pedal arms and extruded aluminium pads. This unit also has an electronic (drive-by-wire) throttle for quick, smooth and more linear engine response. The impressive braking coupled with excellent handling gives good primary safety and the composite front crash structure and rear crash protection offers efficient secondary safety. Driver and passenger airbags and pre-tensioning seatbelt are standard on all Elise models.
Prices will be announced in March 2010.

[Nillet]

Bilder lånade från EVO
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/24839 ... elise.html

[Mikael_W]

Frågan om man kan kalla det en S3

[Rickard]

Frågan om man kan kalla det en S3

Håller med, jag skulle snarare kalla den "S2 facelift"

[Finn]

Skitsnygg tycker jag!

[Lasse H]

Jag blev i alla fall lite mindre bekymrad när jag av
den bifogade artikeln förstod att 1,8-litersmotorn
ej försvinner. Men jag hade blivit mycket gladare
om man hade lagt till en modell med 2,0-liters motor.
Helst med kompressor och charge-cooler !

hälsn
Lasse H

[silke]

Visst hade man hoppats på lite större förändringar, men på det hela taget tycker jag ändå den ser riktigt bra ut även fast det varit väldigt försiktiga förändringar.

Tycker att det är helt rätt att kalla den för S3 även fast det är en relativt försiktig facelift på S2an. Jag menar vem kan se skillnad på en Europa S1 eller en S2, Esprit S1, S2 eller S3, Elan M100 S1 eller S2? Jag vill hävda att man måste vara ganska insnöad på Lotus för att kunna särskilja dem. Om man ser det på det sättet så skulle man ju kunna säga att det snarare ligger i Lotus natur att göra försiktiga uppdateringar på sina modeller.

[silke]

Jag blev i alla fall lite mindre bekymrad när jag av
den bifogade artikeln förstod att 1,8-litersmotorn
ej försvinner. Men jag hade blivit mycket gladare
om man hade lagt till en modell med 2,0-liters motor.
Helst med kompressor och charge-cooler !

hälsn
Lasse H

Jag är fortfarande lite orolig för det här med motoralternativen. Det är ju ingen hemlighet att Toyota slutat/skall sluta 1,8-litersmotorn, har för mig att jag läste någonstans att de sista motorerna levererades till Lotus i december. Lagret kan ju inte räcka hur länge som helst så jag hoppas verkligen att Lotus jobbar för fullt med att få in nya spännande motoralternativ som kan ta plats i R och SC-modellerna.

[Marcus N]

Jag blev i alla fall lite mindre bekymrad när jag av
den bifogade artikeln förstod att 1,8-litersmotorn
ej försvinner. Men jag hade blivit mycket gladare
om man hade lagt till en modell med 2,0-liters motor.
Helst med kompressor och charge-cooler !

hälsn
Lasse H

Jag är fortfarande lite orolig för det här med motoralternativen. Det är ju ingen hemlighet att Toyota slutat/skall sluta 1,8-litersmotorn, har för mig att jag läste någonstans att de sista motorerna levererades till Lotus i december. Lagret kan ju inte räcka hur länge som helst så jag hoppas verkligen att Lotus jobbar för fullt med att få in nya spännande motoralternativ som kan ta plats i R och SC-modellerna.

Är det inte bara 134hk versionen av 1.8L toyotamotorn som ska sluta tillverkas ?(den i "gammla" S)

[silke]

Jag blev i alla fall lite mindre bekymrad när jag av
den bifogade artikeln förstod att 1,8-litersmotorn
ej försvinner. Men jag hade blivit mycket gladare
om man hade lagt till en modell med 2,0-liters motor.
Helst med kompressor och charge-cooler !

hälsn
Lasse H

Jag är fortfarande lite orolig för det här med motoralternativen. Det är ju ingen hemlighet att Toyota slutat/skall sluta 1,8-litersmotorn, har för mig att jag läste någonstans att de sista motorerna levererades till Lotus i december. Lagret kan ju inte räcka hur länge som helst så jag hoppas verkligen att Lotus jobbar för fullt med att få in nya spännande motoralternativ som kan ta plats i R och SC-modellerna.

Är det inte bara 134hk versionen av 1.8L toyotamotorn som ska sluta tillverkas ?(den i "gammla" S)

Som jag har förstått det så skall de även sluta tillverka 2ZZ-motorn som ju sitter i R och SC modellen. Men jag kan förstås ha fel! Om inte annat så verkar de ju onekligen ha ett ganska stort lager av motorer om de fortsätter sälja bilar med dem.

[silke]

Hittade en bild på Seloc med en S3 jämte en S2, lite lättare att se förändringarna på denna bild! Börjar gilla S3an mer och mer...

[STELL]

Av bilderna att dömma, ser fronten på S3 "renare" ut. Därmed bättre aerodynamik får man förmoda.
Bakifrån syns troligen bäst IRL.

[Rickard]

Kul med jämförelsebilderna, men tyvärr så är ju S3:an bara nån "mock-up" & inte en riktigbil, tycker dessutom att fornten på den inte riktigt ser ut som på den orange i pressbilderna.

Fast i mina ögon så ser den "tam" ut, tycker verkligen att S2 är betydligt snyggare.

[Lasse H]

Jag delar nog Rickards uppfattning om att S3
ser lite "tam" ut. Fast det betyder inte att den
är ful ! Bara synd att man inte tar i lite mer, när man
nu tittar över designen. Eller kan det vara så som
vissa rykten säger, att Lotus nye ceo vill att man ska
sluta tillverka 4-cyl bilar ( !!!) och flytta hela
programmet up-market ? Av det skälet vill man ej lägga
för mycket pengar på en bilmodell som ändå ska gå
i graven ? Hoppas verkligen inte att det är så. Skulle nog
innebära slutet på Lotus som den lätta sportbilens mästare.
Evoran, hur fin den än är, kan ju vara en indikation på att
låg vikt inte längre är det viktigaste vid designen av en
ny Lotus. Om jag kommer ihåg siffrorna rätt, så tror jag att
Evoran bara är 75 kg lättare än min Subaru Forester !!

Så i min kvällsbön har jag numera med att Lotus måtte bli
lite mer anorektiska och att Elise eller en liknande uppföljare
får finnas kvar i modellprogrammet !

hälsn
Lasse H

[Mikael_W]

jag tycker heller inte den är ful men väntat mig mer.
Jag tror nog anledningen mer ligger i att lotus har nog inte alltför mycket pengar lägga på utveckling så därför blev det ingen större ändringar.

Tror nog de kommer behålla de lätta modellerna, det var ju det som räddade dem förra gången.
Får väl bara hoppas det kommer en ny Esprit snart som förhoppningsvis inte väger mer än Evoran då den
väger mer än min GTI