The Newest Lotus Elise Sequence 1 Sports activities Automobile

A assessment of The Newest Lotus Elise Sequence 1 Sports activities Automobile, overlaying growth, necessary options, and technical knowledge of this the thirtieth mannequin within the Lotus vary.On this Article, I supply a nostalgic take a look at the Newest Lotus Elise Sequence 1, one in all an elite group of basic automobiles, which was manufactured throughout the interval 1999 to 2000.The Lotus Elise Sequence 1The Heritage Lotus Elise Kind 79In July 1999, a restricted version Lotus Elise, with 100 left hand drive automobiles, had been constructed for the Italian supplier community.They had been painted within the John Participant Particular (JPS) colors of black, with gold wheels and grilles, and displayed a “Heritage” badge.Moreover, one other restricted version of 50 automobiles, with proper hand drive, and designated because the Kind 79 sports activities automobile, had been ofered with both 1.eight litre Rover Okay-Sequence normal or Variable Valve Management (VVC) engines.The Lotus Elise Kind 79Launched in October 1999 on the London Motor Present, this particular version Lotus Elise sports activities automobile shared the identical color of pink, gold, and white because the Kind 49 Method One race automobile.This Elise was powered by both a 1.eight litre Rover Okay-Sequence normal or VVC engines.The Millenium Version Lotus EliseAlso launched in October 1999, this Millenium Version Lotus Elise was based mostly on the usual Elise or Elise 111S variants.Painted in Atlantis Blue, each the leather-based seats and street wheels from the 111S had been painted black, whereas the rear wheel arches had spats.

The Lotus Elise 340RBased on the Sequence 1 Elise, and with a reputation derived from the truth that solely 340 models had been constructed, the Lotus Elise 340R sports activities automobile was launched in August 1999 on the Hippodrome in London.It was probably the most radical of all of the Elise variants.The physique shell, which was customized made, contained neither a roof nor doorways, and was painted in silver and black.It was powered by a 1.eight litre Very Excessive Efficiency Spinoff (VHPD) Rover Okay-Sequence engine, which developed 177 bhp at 7800 rpm, and 126 ft/lbs of torque at 6750 rpm.Fitted with a Rover 5 velocity PGI shut ratio gearbox, it had a high velocity of 135 mph, a Zero-60 mph time of Four.three secs, and a Zero-100 mph time of 12.Four secs.Energy enhancement was obtainable by the use of a Monitor Pack, which included changes to the engine administration system, no catalytic converter, and no sports activities silencer.With such an addition, energy was elevated to 195 bhp at 7500 rpm, and 139 ft/lbs of torque.Within the UK, the Elise 340R was street authorized.The Lotus ExigeLaunched by Lotus at Manufacturers Hatch in April 2000, the Lotus Exige sports activities automobile was, primarily, a hard and fast head coupe model of the Elise.It was designed for use on each observe and the street.It was powered by the 1.eight litre, Rover Okay-Sequence VHPD unit, as used within the Elise 340R, and creating 177 bhp at 7800 rpm.There was the choice of upgrading from 177 bhp to 190 bhp through the use of the Monitor Pack, which excluded a catalytic converter.This resulted in a high velocity of 137 mph, and a Zero-60 mph time of Four.7 secs.The Exige featured a light-weight, bolstered glass fibre physique, with a entrance aerodynamic splitter, sports activities suspension, an in depth ratio gearbox, bigger black wheels, and a clear tailgate to view the engine.It was fitted with a big carbon fibre excessive degree rear wing, much like that used on the Lotus Esprit Sport 350, which elevated downwrd stress to enhance rodholding, and minimise drag.Optionally available extras included a sports activities exhaust, and the identical seats as used within the 340R.In October 2000, air-con turned normal tools on the Exige.The Sequence 1 Lotus Exige was produced till 2002, when 604 models had been constructed. It was reintroduce in 2004 because the Sequence 2 variant.The VX220 Kind 116New European directives on automobile impacts triggered Lotus to hunt a enterprise partnership with Basic Motors. This resulted in Lotus agreeing to construct specified Opel and Vauxhall efficiency automobiles.Launched as an idea automobile on the March 1999 Geneva Motor Present, and designated the Kind 116, the VX200, also referred to as the Speedster, was powered by Vauxhall’s new 2198 cc, ECOTEC, Four-cylinder engine.This developed 147 bhp at 5800 rpm, and 203 ft/lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, with a Zero-60 mph time of 6.6 secs, and a high velocity of 132 mph.

In 2003, the VX220 Turbo sports activities automobile was launched, fitted with the 1.eight litre turbocharged engine, as used within the Vauxhall Astra SRi, and creating 200 bhp, with 190 ft/lbs of torque.It had a high velocity of 150 mph, and a Zero-60 mph time of 5.three secs.It was constructed on the identical manufacturing traces because the Elise. Lotus ceased manufacturing of the VX220 in 2005.The Lotus Elise Sport 190Launched in January 2001 to be used on the observe, the Lotus Elise Sport 190 sports activities automobile featured a closely modified 1.eight litre Very Excessive Efficiency Spinoff (VHPD) Rover Okay-Sequence engine, creating 189 bhp.It produced a high velocity of 131 mph, with a Zero-60 mph time of Four.three secs, and a Zero-100 mph time of 10.7 secs.It used drilled disc brakes all spherical, with competitors suspension and gearbox.This marked the tip of the Newest Lotus Elise Sequence 1.Maybe this stroll down reminiscence lane may need answered, or at the least make clear, a potential query:Which Lotus Sports activities Automobile is Your Favorite?Nonetheless, ought to this query nonetheless stay unanswered, I will likely be reviewing, in some element, in future articles inside this web site, all the vary of Lotus sports activities automobiles which had been featured within the memorable period spanning 1952 to 1996.I hope you be a part of me in my nostalgic travels “down sports car memory lane”.