Commemorating the 50th anniversary of its original manufacturing plant in Hethel, Norfolk, Lotus has launched a special edition for Elise 250.
With some modifications done to the components, the car has shed significant amount of weight. The special edition Lotus Elise 250 weighs 899 kilograms and the significant weight loss has enabled the car to set a new lap record in the test circuit. The designers have liberally used ample amounts of carbon fiber combined with aluminum components. The combination has led to a great amount of weight loss in the Lotus Elise 250 special edition.
In the new edition, carbon fiber is used to build the rear wing, front splitter, front access panel and even the sports seats used in the car. When such amount of the material is used, the team has managed to bring down the weight which in turn has contributed to increased acceleration and top speed of the Elise 250.
The Special Edition Elise 250 is powered by a 1.8-liter supercharged petrol engine and it uses a six speed manual gearbox system. The powertrain is capable of delivering up to 243 horsepower coupled with 250 Nm of torque.The car can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds. The top speed of the car is pegged at 154 miles per hour. It has managed to complete the Hethel circuit in a mere one minute thirty-four seconds.
The suspension system used in the special edition and the braking components are the same as the Cup 250. An interchangeable ESP system is provided in the car. Other connectivity features available in the Elise 250 anniversary edition is iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, air conditioner, better sound insulation to avoid leak along with cruise control. Some features might be provided as an add-on while others are provided in the base model.
The pricing of the Lotus Elise 250 special edition is on the higher side. The auto manufacturer has priced at £47,900. If you are looking forward to create a record by purchasing the most expensive Elise on sale, this is the model to go for. Even the posh Porsche 718 Cayman S is priced slightly more than what Lotus demands for this Elise version.
In the end, it is purely an individual choice based on your budget. If you love the brand and the lightweight model they offer with such performance, this is the one to opt for.