What's the news?
All those who fancy having their name (sort of) up alongside Clark, Hill, Andretti and Senna, as a driver of a racing Lotus, can now do so for a relatively affordable price. Lotus has developed a new racing version of the ever-green Elise sports car and it has been designed to be eligible for a multitude of racing series around the world.
The Elise Race uses the trusty Toyota-sourced 1.8-litre petrol four-cylinder engine but adds a supercharger to extract 246hp and 250Nm of torque. Lotus says that the car has "been optimised to help slash lap times." Racing tech includes adjustable dampers from Nitron, uprated brake pads, a carbon fibre racing seat which comes with both a six-point racing harness and FIA approval, a pop-off steering wheel and a rear windscreen made from light polycarbonate.
It also gets a proper aero setup, including a front splitter, rear diffuser, floor extensions and a rear wing and Lotus claims that it develops as much as 155kg of downforce at maximum speed (which is 248kmh).
On the safety front, you get an A-frame harness bar, a front roll-cage section, fire extinguisher and a battery cut-off, and front and rear towing eyes. The headlights are replaced with lightweight blanking panels.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented: "Lotus was established to build race cars and with 68 years' experience, no one knows more about extracting the best performance possible. The Elise Race 250 is the fastest, most focused Elise we've ever produced and, judging by what it's capable of on track, it looks set to become a favourite with our racers around the world."
In true Lotus tradition, you can also add some extra lightness. An optional lithium-ion battery saves an extra 6kg, while the whole aero package can be replaced with carbon-fibre items saving another 10kg. Add those and the Elise Race tips the scales at less than 900kg, without fluids or driver.
Lotus claims it's the fastest racing version of the Elise yet made, and can clock a 1min33sec lap around the company's famous Hethel test track. Braking is by AP Racing twin-piston front calipers, and Brembo single-piston rear calipers working in conjunction with the ABS system with ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels (16-inch, front and 17-inch rear) with Yokohama AO48 tyres (195/50/16 on the front and 225/45/17 on the rear).
All of which can be yours for a VAT-inclusive price of STG£53,500 or US$76,200. The race track, and another name in Lotus' long racing history, awaits...