S1 Sport 190 (US Press release info)
The Sport Elise 190 is a race version of the Elise road car intended for circuit use only. It can be ordered only through Lotus Cars USA in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The car is currently sanctioned for Historic Sports Cars Racing Ltd's Sports Challenge Series. Unlike the Sport Elise, the Elise road car is not available for sale in North America.
Powered by a highly modified Rover 1.8-liter engine, the Sport Elise develops 190 hp at 7000 rpm. The cylinder heads, pistons, valves, crankshaft and flywheel have been modified, and solid valve lifters fitted. These changes allow the Rover K-Series four-cylinder engine to rev to an 8000 rpm redline.
The development and selection of ultra lightweight competition accessories, including specially manufactured lightened front and rear bodywork, reduce the overall vehicle weight to 1477 lb. (670 kg). This results in a stunning power-to-weight ratio which allows the Lotus Sport Elise 190 to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds, and from 0-100 mph in 10.9 seconds.
Stopping and cornering also have been refined. The race-developed brake pads and discs have been designed for optimum performance with racing slicks. In addition, competition springs and dampers lower the car by 50 mm while maintaining the car's roll axis relative to the ground, and a higher rate front anti-roll bar has been added.
The Sport Elise 190 also includes an FIA-approved roll cage with diagonal brace, and a competition seat with a Sport Elise-exclusive six-point harness. A passenger-side seat is available as an option.
The Lotus Sport Elise 190 equipment includes: a competition muffler, a specially designed air filter and carbon-fiber cold air box, a catalyst replacement pipe, an oil cooler kit, a lightweight battery with master switch, a dry-break fuel system, fire extinguisher, a lightweight, polycarbonate rear window, and a removable leather-rimmed steering wheel.
The Elise Sport 190 is currently sanctioned for the Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd's Sports Challenge Series in North America. For more information about Historic Sportscar Racing please visit their website at: www.hsrrace.com
Intro
Conceived for road use, but designed as a racecar, the Elise was always destined to put Lotus firmly back on the racetrack. The Elise Sport 190 possesses all of the characteristics of an exciting racecar: lightweight, fast and with superlative handling. It is also extremely safe as the super-light but high-strength spaceframe structure of the epoxy-bonded aluminum extrusions provides excellent durability and torsional rigidity. This is technology which until now has only been used in high cost competition cars.
At London 1997, exactly two years after the launch of the roadster concept, Lotus presents the Elise Sport 190. Built by Lotus Sport Special Vehicles Operations at Hethel, Norfolk, this race version of the Elise is fitted with Lotus Sport Original Performance Products and is intended for circuit use only.
In race outfit, the Elise Sport 190 is powered by a 190 VHPD version of the Rover K Series 1.8 litre engine which develops 190 bhp (141 kW) at 7500 rpm. Changes to the cylinder head, valves, pistons, crankshaft and flywheel together with the use of solid valve lifters in place of standard items, gives a maximum engine speed of 8000 rpm.
The development and selection of ultra-lightweight competition accessories, including specially manufactured lightweight front and rear clamshells, reduce the overall vehicle weight to 670 kg.
The result is a stunning power to weight ratio of 283.6 bhp per tonne which, combined with the legendary Lotus ride & handling and a close ratio gearbox, gives performance that until now only superleague cars could deliver.
The Elise Sport 190 accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in an estimated 4.4 seconds and from 0 - 160 km/h in 10.7 seconds (0-100 mph in 10.9 s).
Race developed brake pads and track specification brake discs are mounted for use with slicks. The competition springs and dampers lower the car by 50 mm while maintaining the roll axis of the car relative to the ground. This enables the track car to handle with the same peerless characteristics as the standard Elise.
A full safety kit has been installed, including a FIA approved roll cage with diagonal bracing for circuit use, a competition seat with a six point harness exclusive to the Elise Sport 190 and a higher rate (stiffened) front anti-roll bar.
The Elise Sport 190 also mounts a competition silencer kit reducing overall weight and enhancing noise quality, a specially designed competition air filter and carbon fibre cold air box, a catalyst replacement pipe, an oil cooler kit, and lightweight competition battery with master switch, a dry break fuel filler system, a fire extinguisher system and a lightweight, polycarbonate rear screen. A removable steering wheel completes the competition package.
Tested extensively on the track, the Elise Sport 190 performs with the aptitude and dynamics of a finely tuned thoroughbred mid-engined racecar - a true Lotus in which enthusiasts can competitively drive the Elise Sport 190 to wins in many categories and classes of motorsport.
Tony Shute, Product Engineering Manager, explains:
"The Elise project team have tested the car on some of the most demanding race tracks and Hill Climb Courses around Europe. With the development of motorsport specifications we have enabled the owner to enjoy more of the potential of the Elise."
The supercar performance of the Elise Sport 190 will be available directly from Lotus Cars USA, priced in the mid-fifties, reasonably equipped (Not available from Dealers)
The Elise Sport 190 is currently sanctioned for the Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd's Sports Challenge Series in North America. For more information about Historic Sportscar Racing please visit their website at: www.hsrrace.com
Equipment Fit
LOTUS SPORT ELISE 190 | $54,325.00 |
Optional Equipment: | |
Passenger Seat/Harness | $875.00 |
Driving Lamps | $420.00 |
Total with above options: | $55,620.00 |
Other Options: | |
Premium Paint | TBD |
Metallic Paint | TBD |
Clamshell | TBD |
STANDARD EQUIPMENT INCLUDED IN RETAIL PRICE:
NOTE: Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Technical Specifications
Description | Lightweight, two-passenger, mid-engined sports car | ||||||||||||||||||
Body | Composite panels, detachable lightweight front and rear "clamshell" body sections, integral fixed headlamps | ||||||||||||||||||
Chassis | Lotus-designed spaceframe comprised of epoxy-bonded aluminum extrusions assembled by Hydro Aluminum, galvanized steel rear subframe, integral roll bar. Composite front ducting/crash absorbing structure | ||||||||||||||||||
Dimensions | |||||||||||||||||||
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Engine | Dual overhead, fuel injected, 16-valve, transverse-mounted inline four-cylinder | ||||||||||||||||||
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Transmission | Close-ratio five-speed manual transaxle, rear-wheel drive | ||||||||||||||||||
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Performance | |||||||||||||||||||
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Unladen weight | 1477 pounds | ||||||||||||||||||
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Suspension F/R | Double wishbones, coaxial coil springs over monotube dampers. Lotus-patented extruded aluminum uprights made by Alusuisse | ||||||||||||||||||
Steering | Unassisted rack and pinion, 2.67 turns lock-to-lock | ||||||||||||||||||
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Brakes F/R | Outboard-mounted, 282 mm (11.1 in.) diameter ventilated cast iron discs with non-servo split hydraulic system, Lotus/AP Racing opposed-piston front calipers | ||||||||||||||||||
Tires/Wheels | Yokohama A510 on 5-spoke wheels | ||||||||||||||||||
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Instrumentation | Electronic analog instrumentation comprising speedometer, tachometer and a multifunction LCD readout incorporating fuel and coolant gauges. Supplied by Stack Instruments | ||||||||||||||||||
Lighting | Six-inch main beam headlamps. Optional auxiliary driving lamps |
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Motorsport Kit | Lightweight competition silencer kit, competition air filter, carbon fiber cold air box, catalyst replacement pipe, oil cooler kit, lightweight competition battery with master switch, dry break fuel system, lightweight rear window, removable competition steering wheel, competition springs and dampers, competition seats and belts, FIA-approved roll bar with diagonal brace, adjustable front anti-roll bar, uniball rear toe link, lightweight front and rear clamshells fire extinguisher |