A review of the latest Lotus Elise Series 1 sports car, which covers development, important features and technical data from this thirtieth model Lotus range.
In this article, I offer a nostalgic look at the latest Lotus Elise Series 1, one of the elite group of classic cars, which was produced in the years 1999-2000.
The Lotus Elise Series 1
The Heritage Lotus Elise Type 79
In July 1999, a limited edition Lotus Elise, with 100 Left Hand Drive cars were built for the Italian dealer network.
They were painted in the John Player Special (JPS) color black with gold wheels and grilles, and appeared in "Heritage" badge.
Furthermore, another limited edition of 50 cars with right-hand drive, and designated Type 79 sports car, were ofered with either 1.8 liter Rover K-Series standard or Variable Valve Control (VVC) engine.
The Lotus Elise Type 79
Introduced in October 1999 London Motor Show, this special edition Lotus Elise sports car shared the same color red, gold and white as Type 49 Formula One race car.
This Elise was powered by either the 1.8-liter Rover K-Series standard or VVC engine.
The Millenium Edition Lotus Elise
Also introduced in October 1999, this Millenium Edition Lotus Elise based on the standard Elise and Elise 111S variant.
Painted Atlantis Blue, both leather seats and road bikes from the 111S were painted black, the rear wheel arches had spats.
The Lotus Elise 340R
Based on the Series 1 Elise, and name from the fact that only 340 units were built on the Lotus Elise 340R sports car was launched in August 1999 Hippodrome in London.
It was the most radical of all Elise variant.
The body shell, which was custom made, contained neither ceiling nor doors, and was painted in silver and black.
It was powered by a 1.8-liter Very High Performance derivative (VHPD) Rover K-Series engine, which developed 177 hp at 7800 rpm and 126 ft / lbs of torque at 6750 rpm.
Equipped with Rover five speed close ratio of PGI gearbox, it had a top speed of 135 mph, a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and 0-100 mph time of 12.4 seconds.
Power enhancement was available by way of a Track Pack, which include changes to the engine management system, no catalyst, and no sports silencer.
With such an addition, the power increased to 195 hp at 7500 rpm and 139 ft / lbs of torque.
In the UK, Elise 340R was road legal.
The Lotus Exige
Launched by Lotus at Brands Hatch in April 2000 Lotus Exige sports car was in fact, a fixed head coupe version of the Elise.
It was designed to be used on both track and road.
He was driven by the 1.8-liter Rover K-Series VHPD unit, as used in the Elise 340R, and developing 177 hp at 7800 rpm.
It was possible to upgrade from 177 hp to 190 hp by using a Track Pack, which exclude catalyst.
This resulted in a top speed of 137 mph and 0-60 mph time of 4.7 sec.
The Exige features a lightweight, reinforced fiberglass body, a front aerodynamic splitter, sports suspension, a close ratio of the gearbox, the larger the black wheel and transparent tailgate view system.
It was equipped with a large carbon fiber rear wing high, which is similar to that used Lotus Esprit Sport 350, which increased downwrd pressure to improve rodholding and minimize drag.
Optional extras with a sports exhaust and the same place and used 340R.
In October 2000, the air conditioning was standard on the Exige.
The Series 1 Lotus Exige was produced until 2002, when 604 units were built. It was revived in 2004 and Series 2 variants.
The VX220 Type 116
New EU directives on vehicle impact by Lotus seeking business partnerships with General Motors. This led Lotus agree to build special Opel and Vauxhall cars performance.
Launched as a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, and designated the Type 116, the VX200, also known as the Speedster was powered by Vauxhall new 2198 cc, ECOTEC, four-cylinder engine.
This developed 147 hp at 5800 rpm and 203 ft / lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 132 mph.
In 2003, VX220 Turbo sports car introduced, equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, which is used in the Vauxhall Astra Sri, and developing 200 hp with 190 ft / lbs of torque.
It had a top speed of 150 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 sec.
It was built on the same production lines as Elise. Lotus stopped production in 2005 VX220.
The Lotus Elise Sport 190
Introduced in January 2001 for use on the track, the Lotus Elise Sport 190 sports car features a highly modified 1.8 liter Very High Performance derivative (VHPD) Rover K-Series engine, developing 189 hp.
It produced a top speed of 131 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and 0-100 mph time of 10.7 seconds.
It is used to drill disc brakes all round, with competition suspension and transmission.
This marked the end of the latest Lotus Elise Series 1.
Maybe this stroll down memory lane may have missed, or at least highlight, possibly question:
What Lotus Sports Car is Your Favourite?
However, should this question still remains unanswered, I will be reviewing in some detail in future articles in this website, a whole range of Lotus sports cars that were featured in the memorable era spanning 1952-1996.
I hope you join me in a nostalgic wander "sports car down memory lane."
If you would care to see my original article, containing photographs, videos, technical information and pictures not shown in this article, please see: http://www.sportscar2.com/sports-car-latest-lotus-elise-series1.html
In this article, I offer a nostalgic look at the latest Lotus Elise Series 1, one of the elite group of classic cars, which was produced in the years 1999-2000.
The Lotus Elise Series 1
The Heritage Lotus Elise Type 79
In July 1999, a limited edition Lotus Elise, with 100 Left Hand Drive cars were built for the Italian dealer network.
They were painted in the John Player Special (JPS) color black with gold wheels and grilles, and appeared in "Heritage" badge.
Furthermore, another limited edition of 50 cars with right-hand drive, and designated Type 79 sports car, were ofered with either 1.8 liter Rover K-Series standard or Variable Valve Control (VVC) engine.
The Lotus Elise Type 79
Introduced in October 1999 London Motor Show, this special edition Lotus Elise sports car shared the same color red, gold and white as Type 49 Formula One race car.
This Elise was powered by either the 1.8-liter Rover K-Series standard or VVC engine.
The Millenium Edition Lotus Elise
Also introduced in October 1999, this Millenium Edition Lotus Elise based on the standard Elise and Elise 111S variant.
Painted Atlantis Blue, both leather seats and road bikes from the 111S were painted black, the rear wheel arches had spats.
The Lotus Elise 340R
Based on the Series 1 Elise, and name from the fact that only 340 units were built on the Lotus Elise 340R sports car was launched in August 1999 Hippodrome in London.
It was the most radical of all Elise variant.
The body shell, which was custom made, contained neither ceiling nor doors, and was painted in silver and black.
It was powered by a 1.8-liter Very High Performance derivative (VHPD) Rover K-Series engine, which developed 177 hp at 7800 rpm and 126 ft / lbs of torque at 6750 rpm.
Equipped with Rover five speed close ratio of PGI gearbox, it had a top speed of 135 mph, a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and 0-100 mph time of 12.4 seconds.
Power enhancement was available by way of a Track Pack, which include changes to the engine management system, no catalyst, and no sports silencer.
With such an addition, the power increased to 195 hp at 7500 rpm and 139 ft / lbs of torque.
In the UK, Elise 340R was road legal.
The Lotus Exige
Launched by Lotus at Brands Hatch in April 2000 Lotus Exige sports car was in fact, a fixed head coupe version of the Elise.
It was designed to be used on both track and road.
He was driven by the 1.8-liter Rover K-Series VHPD unit, as used in the Elise 340R, and developing 177 hp at 7800 rpm.
It was possible to upgrade from 177 hp to 190 hp by using a Track Pack, which exclude catalyst.
This resulted in a top speed of 137 mph and 0-60 mph time of 4.7 sec.
The Exige features a lightweight, reinforced fiberglass body, a front aerodynamic splitter, sports suspension, a close ratio of the gearbox, the larger the black wheel and transparent tailgate view system.
It was equipped with a large carbon fiber rear wing high, which is similar to that used Lotus Esprit Sport 350, which increased downwrd pressure to improve rodholding and minimize drag.
Optional extras with a sports exhaust and the same place and used 340R.
In October 2000, the air conditioning was standard on the Exige.
The Series 1 Lotus Exige was produced until 2002, when 604 units were built. It was revived in 2004 and Series 2 variants.
The VX220 Type 116
New EU directives on vehicle impact by Lotus seeking business partnerships with General Motors. This led Lotus agree to build special Opel and Vauxhall cars performance.
Launched as a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, and designated the Type 116, the VX200, also known as the Speedster was powered by Vauxhall new 2198 cc, ECOTEC, four-cylinder engine.
This developed 147 hp at 5800 rpm and 203 ft / lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 132 mph.
In 2003, VX220 Turbo sports car introduced, equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, which is used in the Vauxhall Astra Sri, and developing 200 hp with 190 ft / lbs of torque.
It had a top speed of 150 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 sec.
It was built on the same production lines as Elise. Lotus stopped production in 2005 VX220.
The Lotus Elise Sport 190
Introduced in January 2001 for use on the track, the Lotus Elise Sport 190 sports car features a highly modified 1.8 liter Very High Performance derivative (VHPD) Rover K-Series engine, developing 189 hp.
It produced a top speed of 131 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and 0-100 mph time of 10.7 seconds.
It is used to drill disc brakes all round, with competition suspension and transmission.
This marked the end of the latest Lotus Elise Series 1.
Maybe this stroll down memory lane may have missed, or at least highlight, possibly question:
What Lotus Sports Car is Your Favourite?
However, should this question still remains unanswered, I will be reviewing in some detail in future articles in this website, a whole range of Lotus sports cars that were featured in the memorable era spanning 1952-1996.
I hope you join me in a nostalgic wander "sports car down memory lane."
If you would care to see my original article, containing photographs, videos, technical information and pictures not shown in this article, please see: http://www.sportscar2.com/sports-car-latest-lotus-elise-series1.html
