Lotus has unveiled a new Elise Race 250 model.
Described as a hardcore, track-orientated sports car, the Elise Race 250 is eligible for many race series around the world as it has been developed to meet the ‘high demands of the track’, with a host of performance-orientated features as standard.
Powered by a supercharged, 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine with a 6 speed manual gearbox, the Elise Race 250 has 243 hp on tap, (246 PS) at 7200 rpm and 250 Nm of torque between 3500 rpm and 5500 rpm. Lotus says every aspect of the new car has been optimised to help slash lap times. This includes features such as Nitron adjustable dampers, uprated brake pads, FIA approved carbon fibre race seat with six-point racing harness, a removable steering wheel and a polycarbonate rear windscreen. A full aero package, including front splitter, rear diffuser, floor extensions and a rear wing also features, resulting in ‘substantial downforce’, equal to 66 kg at 100 mph and 155 kg at maximum speed of 154 mph.
Stopping power comes from AP Racing twin-piston front calipers, and Brembo single-piston rear calipers - with the Race 250 Elise running on 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).
On the inside, an A-Frame harness bar and an FIA compliant front roll-cage section is joined by a fire extinguisher, battery isolator, while the front headlamps have been replaced with lightweight composite blanking panels.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc,said: “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.”
The Elise Race 250 is built on an Lotus’s aluminium vehicle chassis technology. Employing strong and stiff lightweight extrusions joined by epoxy adhesive, it’s described as ‘immensely strong and torsionally stiff’ yet tips the scales at only 68 kgs. Further weight saving comes from a Lithium Ion battery - 10 kg lighter than a standard battery, carbon fibre race seats (6 kg lighter than the equivalent composite seats) and the ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels.
With the new car lapping the company’s Hethel test track in 1 minute 33.5 seconds, the Elise Race 250 is 0.5 seconds quicker than the previous Elise Cup 220 R and represents the fastest recorded lap time for a Lotus developed race-variant of the Elise.
The Elise Race 250 is priced at £53,500 (Excluding VAT).