What's the news?
There's a new, hardcore version of the Lotus Elise and it's called the Cup 250, which gains 26hp and loses 21 kilos compared to the outgoing Cup 220.
Just 200 of these ultra-focused Elises will be built every year, so here's the lowdown.
Exterior
Lotus' 'Lightweight Laboratory' has stripped out the bulk, thanks in the main to a lithium-ion battery (10kg), carbon fibre seats (6kg) and ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels (1.5kg). The Elise Cup 250 is available as a roadster as standard for the first time, with a hard-top available as an option and at 931kg all-in, the Cup 250 is hardly heavy; even so, another 10kg can be saved courtesy of the Carbon Aero Pack, which replaces the front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser and side skirts with the material.
Even without the CAP, the Cup's aerodynamically optimised body kit provides 66kg of downforce at 160km/h and 155kg at the car's 246km/h maximum.
Ten colour options - two no-cost, seven metallic and the Signature Grey finish - are offered, while the Lotus Exclusive programme allows for further personalisation of the roadster.
Interior
Lotus has enlarged some of the Cup 250's switches and beefed up the haptics, while there's a new 'engine start' button. Standard trim is a full Alcantara interior in either red or black, although as an upgrade leather can be specified. If you want in-car entertainment, Lotus can provide it via iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.
Mechanicals
The 1.8-litre, supercharged four-pot engine remains in the Cup 250 but power has been hiked from the 220's levels to peaks of 246hp at 7,200rpm and 250Nm from 3,500- to 5,500rpm. That equates to the 246km/h top speed and a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds, while the Cup can lap Lotus' Hethel test track in 1 minute 34 seconds, making it the fastest recorded lap time for a production Lotus Elise and the fastest road-going Elise of all.
It's not just extra power that makes the Cup 250 quicker, though, as wider 195/50 R16 front tyres (Yokohama AO48s) provide sharper steering, while the Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) provides a 'Sport' mode, increasing throttle response, lowering traction slip thresholds and removing understeer recognition. All the goodness of the 220 Cup, such as the motorsport-derived suspension with Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, an adjustable front anti-roll bar and AP racing twin-pot front callipers (Brembo single-pistons are found at the rear), means this is one potent Elise.
Anything else?
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Lotus, said: "The Lotus Elise has long set the benchmark in its class, yet we've been able to hone its straight-line performance and handling. Yes, it is capable of amazing things on a track, but it also retains its road manners and is perfectly composed for day-to-day driving. No rival offers this level of performance and accessibility."
The Elise Cup 250 goes on sale in all major markets, excluding the US, from April 2016 and if you want to register your interest, go to www.lotuscars.com/lotus-elise-range.