Personal

Car Stuff

Extras

Sport 135, 1998

In 1998 Lotus launched an add on package that took the car from 118bhp to 135bhp adding much needed power previously only available from aftermarket suppliers. Although this was a dealer fitted package it still removed the factory warranty.

At the 1998 British Motorshow, Lotus received a large number of requests for an official factory built 135bhp Elise, and a month later they decided to oblige. The decision was made to produce a Sport 135 car, but the engine was not the only upgrade. All of the 50 Sport 135 cars have the following changes and additional features:

Changes to the standard model for the batch from VIN X 5401-5450:

• 135 bhp cylinder head
• Close Ratio Gearbox
• Sports exhaust
• Competition style seats
• Sports steering wheel
• Drilled Iron brake discs
• Quicksilver paint with blue soft top
• Headlamp covers
• Body graphics
• Silver Roll Over Bar

Changes to above list for the batch from VIN X 6001 to 6035:

• 111S wheels, tyres and mudspats
• Black painted fuel filler cap
• Matt finish alloy gear knob
• Sport 135 99 side decals

The fact that the cars catalytic converter is removed and replaced by a through pipe means the car has to be homologated and this is the main reason for the limited run of 50. All 50 cars were sold in just over one day, last November with production taking place during December. Since then a few extra cars have been produced, bringing production up to around 70.