- Lighter than existing Elise by 24kg - Costs £600 less than the Elise S - New driving aid for less experienced
The Lotus Elise is now even lighter - by a whole 24kg. The British sports car maker's best-selling current model now weighs in at a mere 852kg and it's even cheaper than the standard car. There aren't many other changes, but it's a fine addition to the range and a great entry-level model.
What's all the fuss about?
There are no changes to the 1.6-litre 134bhp engine and Lotus hasn't claimed any increase in performance as a result of the weight loss, so there's little to write home about there. The Elise Club Racer is £600 cheaper than the current Elise S, though. That brings the asking price down to £27,500.
Anything that stands out?
Lotus has introduced a Sport setting for the Dynamic Performance Management system (basically, a driving aid) that makes the Elise easier for less experienced drivers to manage on the road.
There's also an adjustable anti-roll bar and a choice of six colours for the exterior. These aren't huge changes, but they're likely to make the existing Elise more attractive and accessible to those who have yet to own a Lotus.
Estimated release date: Mid-2011
Estimated cost: £27,500
