1999 90s nineties Red Lotus Elise 1796 cc 5 speed manual, two-seater roadster_powered by the Rover K-series inline-four engine; Vintage restored classic specialist motors vehicle restoration, automobile collectors, yesteryear motoring enthusiasts and historic veteran cars travelling in Cheshire, UK
Launched in late 1995, the Type 111 Elise had a transformative effect on the company in every respect. Journalists and customers adored the new car, sales boomed and Lotus soon found itself in rude financial health. In addition to having revitalised the Hethel brand, the Elise brought a whole new generation of customers through the door. Despite its new found success though, Lotus did not rest and two limited edition Elise variants joined the fray during 1998: the track-only Sport 190 and the more road-oriented Sport 135. Then, in January 1999, a more powerful series production Elise began to emerge from the factory. Subsequently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, the new Type 111 Elise S most notably came with a 143bhp Variable Valve Control engine, a close-ratio gearbox, some trick aero plus uprated brakes, wheels and tyres. It joined a Lotus model line up that included the entry level 118bhp Elise and the by now V8-powered Esprit which was available in both SE and GT trim levels. Chassis Unsurprisingly considering how much power the Elise platform was capable of handling, the S was built around an unchanged epoxy-bonded aluminium spaceframe with integral steel roll-over hoop. This state-of-the-art chassis had been developed in conjunction with Hydro Aluminium Automotive Structures and was both extremely light (just 68kg) and incredibly strong. The wheelbase measured 2300mm. The existing suspension set-up was also carried over. Fully independent, it comprised upper and lower wishbones with co-axial coil springs over inverted monotube dampers and Lotus-patented extruded aluminium uprights. Damper and spring rates were unchanged.
Size: 1928px × 1285px
Location: Cheshire, UK
Photo credit: © ZarkePix / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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