Lotus Elise (Series 2) 2001-

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #1

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #2

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #3

[Egg Nog]

Awesome!

+1, and keep up the good work :) Any more?

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #4

[Matt]

Awesome!

+1, and keep up the good work :) Any more?


Still going!

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #5

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #6

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #7

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #8

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #9

[Matt]

Lotus Elise #10

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #1

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #2

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #3

[andy.muc]

This is a nice shot.
Not your size but at least 1600*1200 :o

[McLareN]

Lotus Elise S2 #11:

[McLareN]

Lotus Elise S2 #12:

[McLareN]

Lotus Elise S2 #13:

[McLareN]

Lotus Elise S2 #14:

[McLareN]

Lotus Elise S2 #15:

http://img124.exs.cx/img124/4311/13al.th.jpg (http://img124.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img124&image=13al.jpg)

[Pimp racer]

WOW Nice pics! That made my day!

[Rijoh]

Lotus Elise 111R #4

[Rijoh]

Lotus Elise 111R #5

[Rijoh]

Lotus Elise 111R #6

[Rijoh]

Lotus Elise S2 #16

[Rijoh]

Lotus Elise S2 #17

[Rijoh]

Lotus Elise S2 #18

[Rijoh]

Lotus Elise S2 #19

[Egg Nog]

Rijoh is so awesome it hurts.

Thanks man :D

[shr0olvl]

So far i've seen TWO !!! count em !! 2 Lotus Elises this month in my town. One was yellow and one was black.

Also consider that i've never seen a Lotus Elise before until I saw these two which was awesome. Didn't see them in the same day but I did see them in the same month which is pretty sweet knowing that i've never seen one or should i say 2 up in till this month. But seeing to cars that you've never seen before in the same month in the same town is just KUUHHH RAYY Z ! to me but yet so very sweet ! :p :D :p

enjoi

[Rijoh]

Rijoh is so awesome it hurts.

Thanks man :D
Sorry for hurting you people :o ;)

[forza_autodelta]

So far i've seen TWO !!! count em !! 2 Lotus Elises this month in my town. One was yellow and one was black.

Also consider that i've never seen a Lotus Elise before until I saw these two which was awesome. Didn't see them in the same day but I did see them in the same month which is pretty sweet knowing that i've never seen one or should i say 2 up in till this month. But seeing to cars that you've never seen before in the same month in the same town is just KUUHHH RAYY Z ! to me but yet so very sweet ! :p :D :p

enjoi
Maybe Egg Not came in Texas with his Lotus :) ?
Nice pics I like the yellow

[Manik]

nice pics rijoh and Matt. pretty cool engine.

[Niko_Fx]

That red Elise is gorgeous.

[Manik]

Awesome!

+1, and keep up the good work :) Any more?

yes awesome photos guys. I have a feeling egg nogg is excited........ :D

[Egg Nog]

Maybe Egg Not came in Texas with his Lotus :) ?
Nice pics I like the yellow

Haha, I wish!

Unfortunately, you still can't get 'em in Canada. It pisses me off beyond belief. Same reason that we never got the Toyota MR-2 Spyder - some 8km/h bumper regulation. Seriously lame.

For now, I'll have to stick to my 944 :o ;)

[gregvl52]

Haha, I wish!

Unfortunately, you still can't get 'em in Canada. It pisses me off beyond belief. Same reason that we never got the Toyota MR-2 Spyder - some 8km/h bumper regulation. Seriously lame.

For now, I'll have to stick to my 944 :o ;)

I believe we have the same law, but the Elise is sold, I believe, without proper bumpers. However, this is for a limited time; back before the Elise arrived in the US, I remember hearing how Lotus was getting the requirement waived (probably for a limited time) because it would cause "undue financial burden" or something like that.

[forza_autodelta]

it's a shame...fortunately you have the 944

[r1ckst4]

nice pics! :)

i saw an exige a few weeks ago, on a truck... i thought it was being delivered but then i saw the back of the car and it was smashed! :eek:

EDIT: just noticed something. The guy who's driving (in rijoh's pics) appeared on Top Gear once and showed JC how to properly drive the elise :D

[Sauc3]

Lotus Elise 111R #7

[Sauc3]

Lotus Elise 111R #8

[Sauc3]

Lotus Elise S2 #20.

[Sauc3]

Lotus Elise S2 #21.

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #9

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #10

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #11

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #12

[Matt]

Lotus Elise 111R #13

[PBB]

Elise Sport as ran in the Elise cup.

[PBB]

This pic isn't the biggest but it's too beautiful not to share. :)
Elise in Japan - 1024x768

[johnnynumfiv]

Indubidly.

[Nicademus]

i sat in one while waiting to test drive an M3

it may be a great car but i'm just too big to fit into it.

this car comes up to my knees

[Revo]

07 June 2006 NEWS RELEASE

The new Lotus Elise S : Lotus re-enters the mainstream sportscar market with a vengeance!

Lotus is back with an entry level Elise that is set to propel the Hethel based sports car manufacturer further up the sales charts. The loss of the K-series engine had temporarily created a hole in Lotus’ portfolio and its disappearance from the range was not good news for Pure sportscar lovers right across the globe.

The challenge of ‘plugging the gap’ has now been spectacularly addressed with the launch of the new Lotus Elise S – a sub 6 second 0-60 mph sportscar, available at a stunning sub £24K ‘on the road’ price.

Lotus has shoehorned in a high technology 1.8-litre 134 hp Variable Valve Timing Toyota engine, which perfectly complements the phenomenal handling characteristics of the Lotus Elise. This delivers a cracking new entry-level car, capable of taking you from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 grin-inducing seconds (0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds) and onto a top speed of 128 mph (205 km/h), law permitting!

The Lotus Elise S is built around the revolutionary and award winning extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, with a lightweight steel rear subframe. The chassis itself weighs just 68 kg (150 lbs) and has a stiffness of 9,500 Nm per degree.

The body design remains unchanged from the classic 190 hp Lotus Elise R – why change the award-winning aerodynamic package and an elegant Lotus design just for the sake of it?

The driving experience

How does just 134 hp (100 kW, 136 PS) deliver such phenomenal performance?

First of all, the maximum power output is achieved at near maximum revs (engine speed) of 6,200 rpm and maximum torque (a respectable 172 Nm, 127 lb.ft) is reached at 4,200 rpm. This gives a good combination of mid range pull but also encourages the driver to rev the engine to the maximum permitted engine speed of 6,800 rpm. A bright red LED “change-up light” tells the driver when to change gear, the point of illumination from the “red-line” variable and dependent on the gear selected.

Driving any Elise is an experience like no other – and the Elise S is no different. Few cars can match the delicacy and accuracy of the steering, throttle and brakes. Only a Lotus has the relatively soft springs and firm damping to give superb body control and a truly exhilarating ride. And only a Lotus can turn in such performance with such minimal environmental impact in terms of emissions and fuel consumption.

It’s all down to light weight

Weighing in at just 860 kg, the Lotus Elise S is not just one of the lightest fully homologated sportscars in the world, but also one of the lightest cars in the world, period!

Lightweight has benefits for acceleration, the environment, handling, ride comfort and braking.
Braking comes from AP Racing callipers at the front and Brembo Calipers at the rear linked to 282 mm vented and cross-drilled cast iron discs – you can never call an Elise under braked!

The advanced ABS system incorporates an anti-lock system which is very unobtrusive and most drivers will not even notice that it is there – unless it is needed of course and even then, the system keeps a subtly low profile.The ABS system is linked to a lightweight pedal box with steel pedal arms and extruded aluminium pads. This unit also has an electronic (drive-by-wire) throttle for quick, smooth and more linear engine response.

Note:
With the launch of the Elise S, the Elise 111R will become known as the Elise R. In addition to this nomenclature change, the Elise R will also feature the current Touring Pack as standard equipment. The recommended retail price of the Elise R is £28,995, with an On The Road recommended price of £29,945. For those customers who prefer their Elise R to have no Touring pack, there is the option to delete it. The Elise R is also differentiated from the Elise S through 8-spoke alloy wheels and raised LOTUS lettering on the rear.

[CHEESE-TACULAR]

will this make it to the us?

[Cotterik]

i see about 4 of these a day now. madness!

[Mustang]

There not that special a car imo

for what the elise is supposed to be it doesnt match whats it should

A scooby or fabia VRS are much better cars

[Rijoh]

There not that special a car imo

for what the elise is supposed to be it doesnt match whats it should

A scooby or fabia VRS are much better cars
Sometimes you're quite a dumbass :rolleyes:
An Elise is on of the best and purest cars you can buy. Great value for money. It also looks absolutely stunning!

[Dino Scuderia]

Was at the Lambo/Lotus deaership Saturday looking at a McLaren F1 and they had about 25 Elise/Exige in stock, they sell a ton of them in my area.

Lots of cool colours too.

[Sauc3]

Was at the Lambo/Lotus deaership Saturday looking at a McLaren F1 and they had about 25 Elise/Exige in stock, they sell a ton of them in my area.

Lots of cool colours too.
Any pics of the McLaren? :)

[2ndclasscitizen]

I've actually been waiting for this to happen ever since Rover went belly-up

[Mustang]

Sometimes you're quite a dumbass :rolleyes:
An Elise is on of the best and purest cars you can buy. Great value for money. It also looks absolutely stunning!

Lotus claim that but if you ever own one its not true

A friend of mine has a scooby, fabia and octavia VRS and an elise,

Lotus claim the same sort of 0-60 times as the scooby but in truth its nothing near he also said that the fabia was a better car than it and not for things like carrying luggage just a better driving car

the only one of those he said the else was better than was the octavia :p

[Mustang]

Was at the Lambo/Lotus deaership Saturday looking at a McLaren F1

lol theres something up there :p

[Ferrer]

I quite like this car, but at 860kg isn't it a tad heavy for what a base Lotus should be?

[Dino Scuderia]

Any pics of the McLaren? :)

Haven't uploaded them yet, plus with it sitting in the showroom the pics won't be great.

[Dino Scuderia]

lol theres something up there :p

What?

[F1_Master]

will this make it to the us?
Given that I don't think the US receives the 111R or 111S, we may not.

[spi-ti-tout]

Lotus claim that but if you ever own one its not true

A friend of mine has a scooby, fabia and octavia VRS and an elise,

Lotus claim the same sort of 0-60 times as the scooby but in truth its nothing near he also said that the fabia was a better car than it and not for things like carrying luggage just a better driving car

the only one of those he said the else was better than was the octavia :p
Your friend was drunk :p

[Jack_Bauer]

Given that I don't think the US receives the 111R or 111S, we may not.

The US DOES receive the 111r. That was kinda the whole point of the 'Yota engined 'R', to get an engine that would pass all the necessary tests for the American market. Given that this new model is essentially the same as the 111R but with a detuned version of the 1.8litre engine, I see no reason why they couldn't sell it in America.

[NSXType-R]

will this make it to the us?

I don't think it will get here because the safety regulation waiver won't allow another car other than the Elise that we currently get or else it voids it completely and the sale of the Elise will stop and the other car will be prohibited. That's why the Europa won't come here. Then again this is based on the same platform so I guess it probably could. It's quite complicated. :D

[Ferrer]

I don't think it will get here because the safety regulation waiver won't allow another car other than the Elise that we currently get or else it voids it completely and the sale of the Elise will stop and the other car will be prohibited. That's why the Europa won't come here. Then again this is based on the same platform so I guess it probably could. It's quite complicated. :D
I don't think that a 130bhp lightweight(ish) sportscar with a 0-60 time of nearly 6 seconds would really sell in America. The 111R and the Exige on the other hand are fast enough to be able to run with much more exotic machinery and thus are worth all the incovenients for americans.

[Dino Scuderia]

The US DOES receive the 111r. That was kinda the whole point of the 'Yota engined 'R', to get an engine that would pass all the necessary tests for the American market. Given that this new model is essentially the same as the 111R but with a detuned version of the 1.8litre engine, I see no reason why they couldn't sell it in America.

According to Lotus USA web site neither of the available Lotus cars are the 111R.

You can order different appearance and suspension packages but the Elise and Exige sold here both have the 190hp engine.

[Ferrer]

According to Lotus USA web site neither of the available Lotus cars are the 111R.

You can order different appearance and suspension packages but the Elise and Exige sold here both have the 190hp engine.
The 190bhp Elise is known as the 111R here.

[CHEESE-TACULAR]

they are the same car, just here the regular elise is actually the 111R. to help it appeal to doubters of cars with 120hp. i hope they do sell it because i would try to get a dealer test-driven example

[DesmoRob]

Your friend was drunk :p

lol I agree.

[spi-ti-tout]

lol I agree.
Were you his friend then? :p

[2ndclasscitizen]

Market Availability:
UK: From July 2006
Mainland EU: From July 2006
Japan and APac: From September 2006
USA: There are no plans to launch the Elise S in the USA market for homologation reasons
http://www.grouplotus.com/car/news_detail.php?id=73

[Piacki_117]

Lotus Elise 111R

[The_Canuck]

Do they have radios standard? I always thought they didn't...

[Klemmel]

Lotus Elise

[Gt1Street]

Type 25 celebrates the life of Jim Clark

Jim Clark is considered by many as the finest and most naturally gifted racing driver of all time. He won the F1 World Championship twice for Team Lotus in 1963 and in 1965.

In total, he won 25 Grand Prix races and was the first Briton to win the Indianapolis 500. Clark won a third of all the F1 races he entered, as well as racing in other formulae such as F2, F3 and Touring Cars. Typically he would race in as many as three different categories per race meeting! How many of the current crop of F1 drivers would do that?
In tribute to Jim Clark’s achievements, Lotus, in association with Classic Team Lotus, is producing the Clark Type 25 Elise SC, with a donation for each of these special cars sold going to the Jim Clark memorial fund. This Elise, limited to just 25 cars in the UK (25 being the Type number of his 1963 Lotus F1 car and his number of F1 wins) has been authorised by the Clark family and coincides with the 40th anniversary of Jim Clark’s death at Hockenheim in 1968.
The Clark Type 25 Elise SC will be launched at The Scottish Classic SpeedFair at Knockhill on the 8th of June 2008 and will form part of a weekend long tribute to Jim Clark. The Club Lotus Jim Clark Remembrance Weekend will take place over the 7th and 8th of June and promises to be a fantastic celebration of the life of Jim Clark.
Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus Plc comments, “It is fitting that the latest version of our award winning Elise, the Clark Type 25 Elise SC, should celebrate the life of Jim Clark. It is also an honour to be able to unveil the car at Knockhill this weekend. Each owner of the Clark Type 25 Elise SC will be joining an unrivalled heritage that recognises motorsport’s greatest partnership, that of Lotus and Jim Clark.”
The Clark Type 25 Elise SC draws upon many styling cues from the Type 25 Formula 1 car that Jim Clark raced to win the World Championship in 1963. The car, with a removable hard top as standard, is finished in British Racing Green with a yellow stripe along the centre and features high performance Lotus Sport wheels, finished in an historic black and silver design. The interior is inspired by the Team Lotus Formula 1 cars of the era, with black leather sports seats, trimmed with red leather and all finished off with a fantastic retro wooden gear knob.
The Elise SC is the most powerful production Elise ever produced and offers stunning performance. Power comes from a 1.8 litre non-intercooled, supercharged engine and uses intelligent cam switching technology, enabling the engine to switch to the high performance cam anywhere between 4000 and 6200 rpm. This clever feature gives the engine two characters, allowing the car to be driven economically or giving maximum performance for spirited driving.
The Elise’s light weight gives low CO2 emissions, great handling and affords phenomenal braking. Another benefit of the low weight is incredible acceleration, with the sprint to 60 mph taking just 4.3 seconds and with 100 km/h despatched in 4.6 seconds. The Elise SC accelerates on to a top speed of 148 mph, which is 238 km/h.
All Lotus cars offer exceptional handling and the Elise is no exception. The chassis has a seriously light, stiff structure. Combining this technology with the fantastic Lotus ride and handling gives an inspiring driving experience and the mid-engined layout of the Lotus Elise offers fantastic balance and agility.
The Elise SC offers a few technological advances that Jim Clark may have found helpful in his Type 25. Coming as standard on the Elise is traction control, ABS and sequential shift lights, however all the driver aids are included to improve the driving experience and do not intervene unless really called upon.
The Clark Type 25 Elise SC is currently only available in the UK and Republic of Ireland and is on sale now. Price: £35,995 MSRP, and includes £5,750 worth of options for just £3,445. On the Road costs are £950 MSRP
ENDS

Notes:
Lotus Clark Type 25 Elise SC
CO2 emissions – 202 g/km. Combined fuel consumption - 33.23 mpg (8.5 l/100 km)

About Group Lotus plc:
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany and Japan, with rapid expansion in new territories such as South East Asia and the Gulf States.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacture worldwide.

Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, and the Exige and Europa. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.

[Jack_Bauer]

Sniff Petrol » LOTUS ANNOUNCES NEW SPECIAL EDITION (http://www.sniffpetrol.com/2008/06/06/lotus-announces-new-special-edition/)

[clutch-monkey]

would lotus gain anything by switching to a turbo setup rather than supercharged? or would that produce too much heat to address properly in the tiny engine bay?

[Ferrer]

Sniff Petrol » LOTUS ANNOUNCES NEW SPECIAL EDITION (http://www.sniffpetrol.com/2008/06/06/lotus-announces-new-special-edition/)
I guess the Mustang has a following after all... :)

[Ecnelis]

Lotus Elise MY2011


The new Lotus Elise probably has the lowest CO2 for its performance for any gasoline high performance sportscar in the world

The Lotus Elise revolutionised the sportscar market 14 years ago when the small lightweight agile 2-seat mid engine sportscar was introduced. By ensuring that the Elise stuck rigidly to Lotus’ core values of performance through light weight, the Elise was able to produce supercar performance with city car economy.

Making its debut at the 80th International Geneva Motorshow, the 2011 model year Lotus Elise introduces a number of changes and improvements to maintain its class leading position.

For the 2011 model year, the Elise range will consist of the following variants:
• Lotus Elise – 136 PS, less than 155 g of CO2 /km – new 1.6 litre engine *
• Lotus Elise R - 192 PS, 196 g of CO2 /km - 1.8 litre engine
• Lotus Elise SC – 220 PS, 199 g of CO2 /km - 1.8 litre supercharged engine

Key changes and improvements to the whole of the 2011 model year Elise range
• New evolution body design incorporating new front clamshell, rear bumper and engine cover
• New all in one integrated headlights including LED day light running lights and LED direction indicators
• Improved aerodynamics with a reduction in Cd by 4%, resulting in better fuel economy
• New cast and forged wheels
• Vehicle warranty increased from 2 years to 3 years and 36, 000 miles

Additional changes for the 2011 model year entry level Lotus Elise
• New high technology 1ZR-FAE 1.6 litre engine with Valvematic and Dual VVT-I technology to optimise the performance and efficiency of the engine
• Less than 155 g of CO2 per km (an improvement of over 13% compared to the 2010 Elise S)*
• Combined fuel consumption 6.14 litres / 100 km (46 mpg)*
• New 6 speed close ratio gearbox
• Cruise control available as part of the Touring pack

The body – an evolution

The new 2011 model year Elise range is on sale now and will be in showrooms from April 2010. The body of the new 2011 model year Elise is an evolution of the iconic Elise design, retaining the character and style, while offering a more planted, purposeful stance and a pure, contemporary look that links it to the Evora. As with all Lotus product the design is an exciting blend of dramatic style and functional efficiency

The new Elise body has a fresh sculptured front, including a new bumper, front clam and access panel that combine to give the Elise a wider look with more road presence.

At the rear of the car the new engine has been encased by a distinctive “twin-spine” engine cover whilst lower down a more aggressive diffuser is tightly wrapped by an elegant new bumper design that now includes the rear licence plate.

New headlamp units with distinctively sculptured LED lighting guides (incorporating daytime running lamps and direction indicators) give a contemporary twist to this classic design. Elsewhere, the signature, Lotus “mouth” and familiar sculptured forms have been sensitively refined to give a crisper, more dynamic look. The repositioning of lamp functions has enabled the creation of broad clean surface between the fenders which combines with sleek corner intakes and prominent splitter detail to give a broader more planted stance.

The theme of purity is carried through to the cooling apertures that are efficiently finished with a new lightweight aluminium mesh that gives the car a classically sporting character.

The rear boot is now opened from the cockpit rather than via a separate key operation. The high quality feel of the Elise is continued throughout the car with the Elise graphic incorporated into the new side LED direction indicators, like those on the Evora.

The driving position, from the perfectly positioned pedals and steering wheel, to the comfortable and supportive seats with ProBax** technology means that, like all Lotus cars, the driver becomes part of the car rather than being just a passenger.

With the sleek new body the aerodynamics have improved giving a reduction in the coefficient of drag of 4%.

Finally, a choice of two beautiful, light weight wheel designs are available; an incredibly light forged wheel and a new cast wheel completes the picture for this sensitive update of a Lotus Icon.

Additional changes to the 2011 model year Lotus Elise

The new 2011 model year Elise has a number of additional changes and improvements, with the installation of a new advanced 1.6 litre Valvematic engine meeting EURO 5 regulations. This new engine is 200cc smaller than the outgoing Elise S model and produces similar power (136 PS, 100 kW, 134 hp at 6800 rpm) with maximum torque of 160 Nm, 118 lbft at 4400 rpm, but offers a significant improvement to fuel economy of over 23%, to 6.14 litres / 100km (46 mpg)* and a reduction in CO2 emission by more than 13%*. This provides the new Lotus Elise with the lowest CO2 per performance for any gasoline high performance sportscar in the world. This high technology engine is mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox, providing closer and more performance orientated ratios than the outgoing 5 speed box.
The 1.6 litre engine is controlled via the bespoke Lotus T6 engine management system. Cruise control is available on the Elise for the first time with the controls present on a stalk located to the left of the steering column.

New cast wheels have been designed specifically for the Elise and the new optional forged wheels weigh just 29.26 kg per set, 2.14 kg lighter than a set of lightweight cast versions. Both are available in silver or black colour.
Dany Bahar, Chief Executive of Group Lotus said, “The Lotus Elise revolutionised the sportscar when it was launched 14 years ago and now the Lotus Elise has become greener, giving drivers access to class leading performance with less guilt.”

Donato Coco, Director of Design said, “The Elise is an iconic sportscar and it was important that we did not complicate its design, so we made the car more pure in its look, improved the aerodynamics, and gave it a more contemporary look with high quality detailing.”

Paul Newsome, Director of Lotus Product Engineering said, “We are always looking at ways of keeping the Elise ahead of its peers and for the 2011 model year we have improved efficiency without losing the innate fun that has made the Elise legendary.”

Andreas Prillmann, Chief Commercial Officer for Lotus Cars said, “In its 14 years of production the Elise has accounted for 32% of all the 61 years of Lotus production, illustrating how significant to the brand and well loved it is. The 2011 model year Elise is greener, purer and more desirable, making it even more relevant to today’s marketplace. The new Elise underlines Lotus’ reputation as one of the most innovative sports car manufacturers in the world.”

Performance
Lotus Elise
0 – 60 mph 6.0 seconds*
0 – 100 km/h 6.7 seconds*
Maximum speed 200 km/h (124 mph)*
Lotus Elise R
0 – 60 mph 5.1 seconds
0 – 100 km/h 5.4 seconds
Maximum speed 222 km/h (138 mph)

Lotus Elise SC
0 – 60 mph 4.3 seconds
0 – 100 km/h 4.6 seconds
Maximum speed 233 km/h (145 mph)

The 2011 model year Elise in more detail.

The Elise - the entry model

Engine

The Lotus Elise introduces the new 1598 cm3, 1ZR-FAE engine, provided by Toyota. The key to this engine’s performance and efficiency is the Valvematic system (a variable valve lift mechanism), which is combined with the dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent). The engine continuously controls intake valve opening/closing timing and the intake valve lift to vary the volume of the intake airflow, giving significant improvements in efficiency and fuel economy. This ensures optimal performance based on the engines operational condition, thus helping the Elise achieve both high fuel efficiency and high performance.

First of all, the maximum power output is achieved at near maximum revs (engine speed) of 6800 rpm and maximum torque (a respectable 160 Nm, 118 lb.ft) is reached at 4400 rpm. This gives a good combination of mid range pull but also encourages the driver to rev the engine to the maximum permitted engine speed of 7000 rpm (transient rev limit). Like all Elise sportscars, there are three shift up lights, on the binnacle cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated, they flash to indicate that the driver is almost on the rev limiter so time to change up a gear!

The height of the engine cover has been raised by 34mm to accommodate the taller 1ZR engine compared to the previous 1ZZ engine from the outgoing model due, in part, to the additional Valvematic technology included on the new engine. This has given Lotus engineers an opportunity to subtly redesign the rear engine cover to match the design theme from the front and rear of the car.

[Ecnelis]

Lotus Elise MY2011 #2


Chassis

The Lotus Elise is built around the revolutionary and award winning extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, with a lightweight steel rear subframe. The chassis weighs 68 kg (150 lbs) and has a stiffness of 9,800 Nm per degree, giving a high level of control of the suspension. At the rear, and also acting as a rear energy absorbing crash structure, a lightweight steel subframe carries the engine and gearbox. At the front, the radiator and key ancillaries are mounted into a high tech composite energy absorbing crash structure that is both lightweight, compact and over three times more energy absorbing than the equivalent steel structure.

Ride and handling

The legendary Lotus ride and handling gives a superb high performance, sporty drive, combined with a compliant ride and progressive on limit handling, it makes the Elise a car that demands to be driven. The entry level Lotus Elise weighs 876 kg, making it one of the lightest fully homologated sportscars in the world. This low weight translates into efficient performance with minimal environmental impact in terms of emissions and fuel consumption. The efficiency of the Elise structure means that the 136 PS (100 kW, 134 hp) delivers phenomenal performance. Few cars can match the delicacy and accuracy of the steering, throttle and brakes of the Elise and all of these factors contribute to the excellent driving experience of the Elise.

Safety

The Elise has high performance AP Racing callipers at the front and Brembo callipers at the rear linked to 282 mm vented and cross-drilled cast iron discs to give excellent stopping power. The Elise comes as standard with a track tuned ABS system that is designed to be unobtrusive under normal driving conditions. This system is designed to be used on track and has a high threshold, only intervening in emergencies. The ABS system is linked to a lightweight pedal box with steel pedal arms and extruded aluminium pads. This unit also has an electronic (drive-by-wire) throttle for quick, smooth and more linear engine response. The impressive braking coupled with excellent handling gives good primary safety and the composite front crash structure and rear crash protection offers efficient secondary safety. Driver and passenger airbags and pre-tensioning seatbelt are standard on all Elise models.

Prices will be announced in March 2010.

*The Lotus Elise is currently undergoing EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval and official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures, plus performance figures are not yet available. The official figures for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and performance will be published on Group Lotus plc’s web site as soon as they become available (Group Lotus PLC (http://www.grouplotus.com)) or may be obtained from the PR Department, Lotus Cars Limited, Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, NR14 8EZ, UK.

**“ProBax™” seats

Introduced for 2006 Model Year Lotus Exige and Elise cars, ProBax™ seats are designed by Lotus and specifically adapted and developed by NuBax. ProBax™ seats help to significantly improve the postural position of the occupant’s spine whilst seated compared to similar seat shells without ProBax technology. This not only results in an improved level of comfort, but also has significant medical benefits - maintaining a natural curvature of the spine, and markedly improving the body’s blood flow. Increased blood flow has been shown to enhance response times, raise alertness levels and reduce the onset of muscle fatigue. Tests on Lotus seats, with the new ProBax™ technology, have shown an improvement in blood flow of up to thirty per cent over the pre-2006 Model Year Lotus seat.

[f6fhellcat13]

The entry level Lotus Elise weighs 876 kg...
What a fatass, though it definitely looks nicer.

[Ferrer]

What a fatass.
Exactly what I was thinking. What's the point of a fat Lotus?

[pimento]

Exactly what I was thinking. What's the point of a fat Lotus?

To meet health and safety regulations required to sell cars in all their markets, I'd imagine.

[Ferrer]

To meet health and safety regulations required to sell cars in all their markets, I'd imagine.
Toyota Aygo -> 790kg
Lotus Elise -> 876kg

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I suppose you're going to see a lot more Aygo's at trackdays then.

[Ferrer]

Insert mid-engined tyre-smoking Toyota city car here

[LeonOfTheDead]

I imagine that failed hot-linking was an Aygo at some track day.

Regardless, the first Lotus Elise, from 1996, weighted 760 kg.
An increase of about 100 kg in 15 years, with much more performance, safety and (yes) equipments isn't bad at all.
Stop wining.

[Ferrer]

I imagine that failed hot-linking was an Aygo at some track day.
I could see it, but nevertheless, sorted.

Regardless, the first Lotus Elise, from 1996, weighted 760 kg.
An increase of about 100 kg in 15 years, with much more performance, safety and (yes) equipments isn't bad at all.
Stop wining.
No.

Not when a 7 grand city car is lighter than a 45 grand dedicated lightweight sportscar.

[clutch-monkey]

headlights and smiley grille from a california?
they looked ugly there, too.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Red X.

Still a red X Ferrer :p

[Ferrer]

Finally sorted... :p

[IBrake4Rainbows]

And lo, this is why the attachment system was invented :)

[LeonOfTheDead]

I could see it, but nevertheless, sorted.

No.

Not when a 7 grand city car is lighter than a 45 grand dedicated lightweight sportscar.

I bet that Aygo weights more than the standard car, even without the (inexistent) interior.

Also, the Aygo has 3 cylinders, much less bhp and therefore has a lighter drivetrain and need less cooling. Also, having the engine over the rear requires you to have more weight in pipes and the likes as at least one radiator is going to be over the front, if not more than one. The wheels itself being much larger are going to add a lot of weight compared to the Aygo.
Not only that but the Aygo is also almost 40 cm shorter.

Seriously, I don't see where the problem is.
I could even say that the Aygo si quite heavy given that a larger and better refined Yaris only weight 130kg more.
Talking about the Yaris, opting for the 1.3 liter engines as opposed to the 1.0 liter engine will give you 30 additional kg.

Now consider all the differences between an Elise and an Aygo and tell me again what's wrong with the Elise.

Surely the Elise could weight a bit less, maybe closer to the 800 kg mark than to the 900, but on the other hand even the Aygo could weight much less, given it's just an empty shell with four wheels and bender under the bonnet.
Surely there is a limit where many cars, with similar dimensions and purposes would all weight about the same, and that has to do mainly with safety and the performance you want, safety being what all cars (should) have in common.

[f6fhellcat13]

Lotus Elise
0 – 60 mph 6.0 seconds*
0 – 100 km/h 6.7 seconds*

These times do not flatter the gearbox.

[clutch-monkey]

what is the 1.6L engine out of? a corolla?

[pimento]

what is the 1.6L engine out of? a corolla?

Auris, Avensis, Verso.

Toyota ZR engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Auris is a European Model Corolla, so yes.

[pimento]

Actually I think the Corolla we have is the Auris with a Corolla badge on it rather than the other way around, because the Corolla everywhere else in the world is a sedan.

Toyota Auris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Toyota Corolla (E140) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Corolla_%28E140%29)

Or something. They're still pretty much variants of the same car really..

[ruim20]

Actually I think the Corolla we have is the Auris with a Corolla badge on it rather than the other way around, because the Corolla everywhere else in the world is a sedan.

Toyota Auris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Auris)

Toyota Corolla (E140) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Corolla_%28E140%29)

Or something. They're still pretty much variants of the same car really..

The Corolla over here is a Sedan (4 door) to, the Auris a 5 door.

The Elise: I think i prefered the 'old' headlights, but overall not a bad evolution, shame about the weight though, i'm sure they could make it lighter but that would no doubt cost a little extra.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Correct - the Corolla Hatch in Australia is an Auris in both Japan and Europe. Whereas the Corolla Sedan is a Corolla most places.

Despite the badging, they're very different vehicles.

[Ferrer]

I bet that Aygo weights more than the standard car, even without the (inexistent) interior.

Also, the Aygo has 3 cylinders, much less bhp and therefore has a lighter drivetrain and need less cooling. Also, having the engine over the rear requires you to have more weight in pipes and the likes as at least one radiator is going to be over the front, if not more than one. The wheels itself being much larger are going to add a lot of weight compared to the Aygo.
Not only that but the Aygo is also almost 40 cm shorter.

Seriously, I don't see where the problem is.
I could even say that the Aygo si quite heavy given that a larger and better refined Yaris only weight 130kg more.
Talking about the Yaris, opting for the 1.3 liter engines as opposed to the 1.0 liter engine will give you 30 additional kg.

Now consider all the differences between an Elise and an Aygo and tell me again what's wrong with the Elise.

Surely the Elise could weight a bit less, maybe closer to the 800 kg mark than to the 900, but on the other hand even the Aygo could weight much less, given it's just an empty shell with four wheels and bender under the bonnet.
Surely there is a limit where many cars, with similar dimensions and purposes would all weight about the same, and that has to do mainly with safety and the performance you want, safety being what all cars (should) have in common.
So, it's a compromise.

A Lotus should be a no-compromise sportscar, a car where lightness is put above everything else. The Elise has no equipment or interior whatsoever as well, and yes the wheels and the engine are larger than the Aygo, but the Elise has all sorts of weight saving measures and materials. And yet it comes almost 90kg heavier than the cheap city car? This isn't progress.

Cars like the Seat Ibiza, the Renault Megane or the Mazda 6 are getting lighter and yet this new Lotus, with engine 200cc smaller than the outgoing model actually has increased weight by 16kg. Any other car could be forgiven. But not a Lotus.

EDIT And furthemore it's getting uglier...

[Revo]

Ferrer, before you go on with your daft statements here, are you comparing comparable things?

Toyota Aygo 1,0 dry weight is 800 kg, kerb weight is 905 kg. [source] (http://www.toyota.de/cars/new_cars/aygo/specs.aspx)

Unfortunately Lotus press release doesn't specify what exactly weighs 876 kg, I suspect that is kerb weight according to EU standard however. Pre-facelift entry level Lotus Elise dry weight is 710 kg, kerb weight is 756 kg [source] (http://www.lotus-haese.de/Lotus-Elise-technik.htm). I seriously doubt that Elise has put on extra 100 kgs with the facelift and smaller engine just like that.

[Ferrer]

Ferrer, before you go on with your daft statements here, are you comparing comparable things?

Toyota Aygo 1,0 dry weight is 800 kg, kerb weight is 905 kg. [source] (http://www.toyota.de/cars/new_cars/aygo/specs.aspx)

Unfortunately Lotus press release doesn't specify what exactly weighs 876 kg, I suspect that is kerb weight according to EU standard however. Pre-facelift entry level Lotus Elise dry weight is 710 kg, kerb weight is 756 kg [source] (http://www.lotus-haese.de/Lotus-Elise-technik.htm). I seriously doubt that Elise has put on extra 100 kgs with the facelift and smaller engine just like that.
The info I have is 860kg kerb weight for the pre-facelift 1.8 litre Elise S, 935kg EU weight. For this it's 876kg kerb weight, 951kg EU weight (I assume). For the Aygo it's 790kg kerb, 865kg EU.

Sources: www.km77.com and www.carfolio.com

[Revo]

Howcome there is a difference of exactly 75 kg between all the dry/kerb weight figures in your last post?

[Ferrer]

Howcome there is a difference of exactly 75 kg between all the dry/kerb weight figures in your last post?
Sorry, confusion of terms. First figure is kerb weight and second is the EU standard.

Corrected the old post.

[LeonOfTheDead]

So, it's a compromise.

Didn't say that.


A Lotus should be a no-compromise sportscar, a car where lightness is put above everything else. The Elise has no equipment or interior whatsoever as well, and yes the wheels and the engine are larger than the Aygo, but the Elise has all sorts of weight saving measures and materials. And yet it comes almost 90kg heavier than the cheap city car? This isn't progress.

Once again, the Aygo is considerably smaller, and its inexistent performance allows it to save a lot of weight, like with wheels and brakes.
The two cars aren't really comparable.
The simple fact that wheels and engine are larger is enough to justify the difference, and the Elise, albeit being a lightweight car, doesn't have all sort of weight saving measures (forget them for 40k € or slightly more) and it does have equipments, heck, it even has cruise control now.


Cars like the Seat Ibiza, the Renault Megane or the Mazda 6 are getting lighter and yet this new Lotus, with engine 200cc smaller than the outgoing model actually has increased weight by 16kg. Any other car could be forgiven. But not a Lotus.

Just checked the Ibiza and Polo, and they aren't that light. Surely not so light if compared to their previous models from 15 years ago.
Also, as I previously said, there is a minimum level of weight under which none car can go. The chassis itself is always there, and it doesn't matter how small the car is, the size of the cockpit can't be smaller than a certain figure (like smaller than what it is on an Elise) of instance, while it's definitely easier to save weight in larger cars, especially when their previous models weren't designed to be light in first place.

Consider this, VW is so proud to have the new Touareg lighter than the former by about 200 kg, pointless figure without a detailed list of what changed and what's lighter, but are we sure they put enough effort to make the first gen light in first place?
Like, it shouldn't be difficult to save 1.000 kg on a second gen Hummer H2 given the first gen wasn't designed with "weight" as a priority (or maybe yes...).
Want to save some weight from a standard car? Drop sound deadening stuff, use less seats stuffing, adopt aluminum body panels, and so on.
Can you do that on a car with a plastic body, an aluminum chassis, thin seats and no sound deadening at all?

Consider how light an Ariel is. Then consider how many parts are missing before of having an Elise (and no, not only the body is missing) and once again think if the Elise is really heavy.

The original Elise from the 1996 was a bare bone car, no doubt. Now it has larger engines, more equipment, but basically the same chassis.
How could it be lighter?
Perhaps with a completely new car, some kg could be saved, we could assume, but not right now.

[Ferrer]

The original Elise from the 1996 was a bare bone car, no doubt. Now it has larger engines, more equipment, but basically the same chassis.
How could it be lighter?
Perhaps with a completely new car, some kg could be saved, we could assume, but not right now.
Well then that's the problem. It's a bloody Lotus Elise, you don't need all sorts of gizmos. Now as you know, we have a Delta. It has all sorts of gizmos, like cruise control, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, electric windows, the lot. As a result it weights a million. But that's fine because it's a sort of tall MPVish Grand Tourer with, let's be honest, limited dynamic capabilities.

But in a Lotus Elise you don't need any of that. When you are on a twisty mountain road, which is the natural Elise habitat, everything you need is all that enhances the driving experience. And lightness does just that. Cruise control or electric don't, and therefore are out of place in a car like an Elise. The 670kg original car is the one we should be developped, no making the Elise a sort of uncomfortable GT. In anycase there are other Lotuses more suited to that role.

[Revo]

Sorry, confusion of terms. First figure is kerb weight and second is the EU standard.

Corrected the old post.
Here we are then. You have numbers that show Elise approx. 100kg heavier than Aygo, I got numbers that show the opposite. Anything is provable with statistics.

[Ferrer]

Here we are then. You have numbers that show Elise approx. 100kg heavier than Aygo, I got numbers that show the opposite. Anything is provable with statistics.
Thing is you don't need it cruise control in an Elise.

[LeonOfTheDead]

The fact that you don't need all that leather on an Elise, the cruise control or other equipments is from an ideal point of view. Because in that scenario you wouldn't sell enough cars. Indeed I think I saw about a couple of first gen Elise, while I saw many of the second gen, because even if it is no S-Class it's much more usable than before, and it's something buyers appreciate and appreciated when introduced.

I'd probably be very happy with a bare bone Elise, but I'd also be happy with an Ariel.
Point is I wouldn't be the typical customer.

Now don't say the buyers shouldn't be considered because they are the reason why cars are designed, otherwise you can make an Elise out of paper, but it would have no market.
An Elise it's the lower end in terms of weight on the market, kit cars or extreme trackday cars excluded. If that weight is too much for you than you should consider die cast models because that's what cars are made about, weight. Some of them weight too much, some not.
How can you say the Elise is heavy, I mean, what's the parameter to say that?
Judging by nowadays cars, it isn't at all, and based on 15 years ago cars it isn't either.
Lotus used a an aluminum chassis when many were still using steel, while now many car makers moved towards an aluminum chassis so that's another reason why others can save weight while Lotus can't. Perhaps they could make a carbon fiber tub for the Elise, not for this price though.

Until someone will sell a car similar to the Elise in today's market but which weights considerably less, I don't see any problem with it.
Actually, I'm happy it now has a smaller engine.
Note that a smaller displacement do very few in terms of weight given the engine has the same layout (4 cylinders) and power, therefore probably also similar thermal requirements, as in cooling and the likes.
On the other hand it helps saving fuel and emissions, which is nice even if you don't care about being green or stuff like that.

[Ferrer]

Is it really going to be usable? Some leather, electric windows and cruise control still won't disguise the fact that the Elise is at heart a no-compromise, impractical, uncomfortable sportscar. With its high sills it's difficult to get in and out, I doubt there's much visibility and the boot must be inexistent. Not too mention that being a targe-roofed it's probably going to be quite noisy. Do you want a useable sportscar? Buy a Mazda MX-5. Or if you want to stay within Lotus, an Europa or an Evora.

I doubt any Elise costumer buys it for its practicality, useability or its gizmos. On that basis it might as well be as focused as possible, and therefore as light as possible. In this particular case I think that most of its costumer base will even agree with us, so they aren't really the problem.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Is it really going to be usable? Some leather, electric windows and cruise control still won't disguise the fact that the Elise is at heart a no-compromise, impractical, uncomfortable sportscar. With its high sills it's difficult to get in and out, I doubt there's much visibility and the boot must be inexistent. Not too mention that being a targe-roofed it's probably going to be quite noisy. Do you want a useable sportscar? Buy a Mazda MX-5. Or if you want to stay within Lotus, an Europa or an Evora.

I doubt any Elise costumer buys it for its practicality, useability or its gizmos. On that basis it might as well be as focused as possible, and therefore as light as possible. In this particular case I think that most of its costumer base will even agree with us, so they aren't really the problem.

It isn't "usable", just more usable than the first Elise.
The MX-5 argument is silly. Why should I buy something much heavier, slower and less intriguing?! Especially given the present MX-5.
Buyers don't buy the Elise because it's comfortable car. They buy the Elise because it's almost as fast as a Caterham (within the limits achievable by enthusiast drivers), just the Elise is an actual car and not a trap. When it was warmer I used to see a Caterham on a daily basis, and that's not a car, its a go-kart, just louder and wider. The guy who owned the Mustang near the gf's house bought it. And the Mustang seems to be gone now. Digressing.

When Lotus started "feeding" the Elise, the Europa and the Evora weren't on the market, yet buyers appreciated much more the "heavier" second gen Elise than the first. Guess why?
And guess why Lotus doesn't sell an Elise with no interior or equipments at all? Because no one would buy them.
I'd be curious to know how many bare bone versions of the RS car Renault sells, not considering those converted for track purposes.
Heck, people were complaining when Honda wasn't offering the climate control on the previous gen Civic Type R to save weight.

On the other hand we are focusing a bit too much on the extra features of the car, while perhaps that's not the only point.
Considering the chassis is 15 years old, perhaps it also required some extra measures to make it stiff enough to pass more recent crash tests. Simply adding a beam in the sills to protect the driver in side crashed, and another beam in the A-pillars to help during rollovers would result in 30 kg if not more of weight.
Perhaps it's the Toyota engines that aren't as light as the old Rover units, perhaps it's the gearbox, and perhaps even if they aren't as light as they used to be, they are probably more reliable or more efficient.
Last year Lotus was the greenest brand available in the States. A pointless statement, but which probably helped selling more car than saying "my car weight 800 kg and not 850 kg or more, in a market where hatches weights 1.100 kg if you are very lucky".

Lotus knows that being a light sportscars maker is its image, so if the Elise weights even 2.000 kg there is a good chance there is a good reason for that.
The Evora was at first marked as desperately heavy, yet it proved to be a remarkable sportscar (not referring to the EVO car of the year award). Surely when you look at it it doesn't seem light "enough", but then consider how larger it is, from where it's engine come from and compare it to the very Elise, and it seems also fine.

15 years ago basically only Lotus was offering such a lightweight car, or more specifically, such weight saving ideas. Now they are all doing that, so all at once the Elise seems heavy, but it isn't.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Just checked the service manual for the first gen Elise.
Unladen weight (with full fuel tank) was 755 kg for the base model, 770 kg for the 111S version.
Also fuel consumption was 7.1 l/100 km with 168 g/km of CO2, so fuel consumption is down nearly 15%, CO2 is down only 8% but with a power increase of 15%.

The Exige had an unladen weight of 785 kg, the 340R 701 kg.

With a fuel tank of 36.4 liters, and petrol's specific weight of 0,7 kg, that means the weight of the Elise with no fuel was 730 kg or thereabouts.

EDIT:
from the service manual of the Elise S2, its unladen weight was 774 kg, but with a fuel tank of 32 liters, that equals to a weight with no fuel of 753 kg or thereabout. So it was 23 kg heavier.
Ironically this version with the 1.8 liter engine worth 120 bhp, had an average fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km, and a CO2 emission of 183 g/km. So worse than both the first and the third gen.

[LeonOfTheDead]

It appears that the 876 kg figure s once again the unladen weight.
With a fuel tank of 40 liters, it makes the no fuel weight of the new Elise 848 kg.
I don't know if the other liquids are now present in larger quantities to further differentiate the weight by some kg though.
Between the S1 and the S2 there were no differences in this aspect, but I found that the addition of climate control not only adds weight in the form of the compressor and unit itself, but also 0.85 kg of refrigerant is needed.

[henk4]

under those circumstances these small weight differences are purely academic. It becomes all warped when you put in a 60 kg midget or 100 kg american....

[LeonOfTheDead]

under those circumstances these small weight differences are purely academic. It becomes all warped when you put in a 60 kg midget or 100 kg american....

That was somehow my point. Just adding the radio makes a difference in the Elise, while on heavier cars like a Cayenne you don't even care how much weight you can save trough different wheels.

[Ferrer]

A 100kg 'merican won't fit in an Elise...

[henk4]

A 100kg 'merican won't fit in an Elise...

I know of a 6ft5 european who does fit, and he is very close to 100 kg...

[Cyco]

A 115kg 191cm Australian fits in one without a problem.

The Elise chassis gained weight from 1st to 2nd gen when they lowered sill hight to make entry and exit much easier. They had to add material though to keep stiffness.

The early 1st gen cars also had aluminium brake rotors. These stopped being available not long before the facelift as the company manufacturing them went bankrupt.

[LeonOfTheDead]

A 115kg 191cm Australian fits in one without a problem.

The Elise chassis gained weight from 1st to 2nd gen when they lowered sill hight to make entry and exit much easier. They had to add material though to keep stiffness.

The early 1st gen cars also had aluminium brake rotors. These stopped being available not long before the facelift as the company manufacturing them went bankrupt.

As wrote before the weight gain was small between the S1 and the S2.
Much more in this case, even if as you underlined many subtle modification can result in a sensible difference.

[wwgkd]

Not the biggest fan of the new front end. Not horrible, but definitely could have gone better.

To add a bit to the weight argument, they were kind of gimicky getting around crash safety requirments for the US for the 2nd gen (our first.) A lot of the weight increase may have come from now having to meet those standards. I'm not the biggest fan of a weight increase but in this case I don't think they could have done much to avoid it without adding a great deal of cost. Besides, if you're really wanting something more hardcore and lighter weight you could always get the street version of the 2-eleven. We can't, but you could.