The Lotus Elise Series 2
As a result of new European Directives concerning the ability of cars to withstand impact, the Elise Series 1could not be produced, in its present format, beyond 2000.
Accordingly, in order to fund the necessary development work, Lotus had to establish a new business partnership.
The outcome was that General Motors agreed to support Lotus, with the proviso that Lotus was to build forthcoming European Opel And Vauxhall sports cars, using GM power plants and badges.
These GM-branded cars were built on the same production lines as the existing Lotus models until they were discontinued in late 2005.
In October 2000, the Lotus Elise Series 2 sports car was launched, and consisted of a redesigned Series 1 unit incorporating a modified chassis in order to accommodate the new regulations.
It had a restyled interior and hood, lowered sills for easier access, uprated suspension, and an improved braking system.
In 2004, Lotus began the process of replacing the Rover K-Series engine with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE, 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, double overhead cam engine, with Variable Valve Timing.
A less highly tuned version was also available, in the form of the Toyota 1ZZ.
The smooth lines of the Elise Series 1 gave way to a more angular form of body styling in the Series 2 variant, which was available as Sports Tourer or Race Tech versions.
The Sports Tourer featured leather seats, fitted carpets, an audio system, and extra cabin storage.
The Race version had leather seats with carbon trim, drilled disc brakes, redesigned suspension, stiffer springs, and new dampers.
However, the standard Rover K-Series engine was retained from the Series 1, whilst a new Lotus engine management unit was added.
Fitted with a close ratio gearbox, it developed 120 bhp, and produced a top speed of 125 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 secs, and a 0-100 mph time of 17.5 secs.
In February 2002, air conditioning was offered as an optional extra and, a month later, the Cobra immobiliser system was now standard equipment.
Also in March 2002, a new hard top was introduced.
The Lotus Elise 111
Based on the Series 1 Elise 111 model, the Series 2 variant was introduced in June 2002.
It was powered by the 1.8 litre, Rover K-Series Variable Valve Control (VVC) engine, fitted with a Lotus K4 engine management system, which developed 156 bhp at 7000 rpm, and 129 ft/lbs of torque at 4650 rpm.
This produced a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 secs. It used 16 inch front wheels, and 17 inch rear wheels.
That same year, the Series 2 Lotus Elise 111S sports car was introduced, powered by the same 1.8 litre, Rover K-Series VVC engine.
It was offered with either Sports Touring or Race Tech specification, and both featured drilled disc brakes, different wheels, and metallic a paint.
The Sports Touring variant included leather seats and trim, and fitted carpets.
This variant was not fitted with the long roof, and was discontinued in 2005.
The Series 2 Lotus Elise 111R, designed with an eye for the track, was powered by the Toyota 1.8 litre, 2ZZ engine.
Fitted with a six speed gearbox, it developed 189 bhp, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 secs.
It used a new rear subframe, revised rear suspension, and servo assisted ABS brakes that were track tuned.
The Lotus Elise Sport 135
In January 2002, and in the UK only, the standard Elise Series 2 received the Sport 135 engine upgrade, which included an aluminium inlet system, stainless steel sports silencer, and a reprogrammed engine mangement
system to improve power output. It was now referred to as the Series 2 Lotus Elise Sport 135.
This upgrade resulted in 135 bhp at 6200 rpm, and 129 ft/lbs of torque at 4850 rpm, a top speed of 129 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 secs, and a 0-100 mph time of 14.9 secs.
In March 2002, this upgrade was offered to all Series 2 Elise owners, and included an alternative gas flowed cylinder head, but not a sports exhaust.
The Lotus Elise 135R sports car variant was a track orientated model with sports suspension and wider wheels, and fitted with the same 135 bhp engine.
In some markets, the Elise 135R was substituted for the Sport 111, which was similar, apart from the fact that the 135 bhp Rover K-Series engine was replaced by a VVC unit, developing 156 bhp.
The Lotus Elise Sport 111
With an emphasis on track use, the Lotus Elise Sport 111 sports car variant was launched in May 2003, targeting Australia and nearby countries, and was based on the Series 1 Elise 111, but with the following changes:
Sports suspension
Stiffer springs and dampers
Anti roll bar
OZ 16 spoke wheels
A grille matching the body colour
"Lotus Sport 111" logos
It was powered by the 1.8 litre, Rover K-Series, VVC engine, which developed 156 bhp.
This marked the end of the Early Lotus Elise Series 2
Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:
Which Lotus Sports Car is Your Favourite?
However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Lotus sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1952 to
1996.
I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels "down sports car memory lane".
If you would care to view my Original article, containing Photographs, Videos, Technical Data, and Charts not shown in this Article, then please click the following link:
http://www.sportscar2.com/sports-car-early-lotus-elise-series2.html
Alternatively, please view my website on:
http://www.sportscar2.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Radford
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8377353
====================
The Recent Lotus Elise Series 2 Sports Car
A review of The Recent Lotus Elise Series 2 Sports Car, covering development, important features, and technical data of this the thirty second model in the Lotus range.
In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Recent Lotus Elise Series 2, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 2000 to 2006.
The Lotus Elise Series 2
The Elise Sport 190
The Series 2 Lotus Elise Sport 190 sports car was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2002.
Powered by a Rover K-Series engine, which developed 190 bhp and 128 ft/lbs of torque, it had a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 secs, and a top speed of 135 mph.
Although, essentially, a track orientated car, fitted with sports suspension and wider wheels, it could be easily converted into a road legal version.
The Elise Type 72
The Series 2 Lotus Elise Type 72, introduced in 2002, was similar to the Series 1 Elise Type 79 Heritage model.
It was also available with the factory fitted Sport 135 upgrade.
The Elise Type 25
The Series 2 Lotus Elise Type 25 sports car, introduced in 2002, was a limited edition variant, based on just 50 units, and marketed in the UK only to commemorate the Formula One Type 25 race car.
It was painted in Racing Green, with two yellow stripes running down the length of the car, including the hard top.
It was fitted with red leather seats and door panels, red laurels sewn into the seat's headrest, and a Heritage "Type 25" plate on the dashboard.
The Elise Type 99T
Introduced in 2003, the Lotus Elise Type 99T commemorated the Lotus 99T, which was the final Lotus Formula One car to be a Grand Prix winner.
With eight spoke wheels, painted in saffron yellow with blue detailing, plus black leather carpeting and sports seats, it mirrored the original race car.
The Elise USA Variant
In January 2003, Lotus announced that the Series 2 Lotus Elise was to be introduced into the US for the first time.
It was launched in 2004 at the Los Angeles Motor Show, and featured a Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine, fitted with a six speed close ratio Lotus gearbox.
This engine consisted of a 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, double overhead cam unit, with Variable Valve Timing.
This developed 190 bhp, with a top speed of 147 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 secs, or 4.7 secs when fitted with the Sport Pack
There was a limited edition of 50 cars, targeted at the US market, which was called the Lotus Sports Elise sports car.
In January 2004, this US model was introduced into the UK market as the Lotus Elise 111R.
The Elise S
Launched in 2006, the Lotus Elise S sports car was classified as the entry level for the Lotus Elise.
Fitted with a five speed gearbox, it was powered by the alternative 1.8 litre, Toyota 1ZZ-FED engine, which developed 134 bhp, compared with the 190 bhp produced by the 2ZZ-GE version.
The Exige
In 2004, the Series 2 Lotus Exige sports car was launched at the Geneva Motor Show, powered by the same Toyota 2ZZ-GE, 1.8 litre engine, and Lotus six speed close ratio gearbox, as used in the US launch of the
Series 2 Elise.
This engine developed 189 bhp at 7800 rpm, and 133 ft/lbs of torque at 6800 rpm.
It produced a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 secs, a 0-100 mph time of 13.3 secs, and a top speed of 147 mph
Unlike the Elise, it was fitted with a flat extended front splitter, a fibre glass hard top incorporating an air scoop, a transparent engine cover, and a spoiler at the rear.
Such additions substantially increased the down force on the Exige, which greatly improved road holding.
In February 2005, Lotus introduced a limited edition Exige, based on 50 units, which were fitted with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine, and a six speed close ratio gearbox, to which was added an Eaton M62 supercharger.
Available only in yellow or black, and sporting a "240R" badge, this variant developed 243 bhp at 7800 rpm, and 138 ft/lbs of torque at 6800 rpm.
It produced a top speed of 155 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 secs, and a 0-100 mph time of 9.9 secs.
In January 2006, the Series 2 Lotus Exige was launched into the US market at the Los Angeles Motor Show.
In February 2006, Lotus launched the Exige S, which was powered by the 1.8 litre, Toyota 2ZZ-GE Variable Valve Timing (VVTL), double overhead cam engine, which was linked to a supercharger and intercooler.
Fitted with a six speed close ratio gearbox, it developed 218 bhp at 7800 rpm, and 159 ft/lbs of torque at 5500 rpm.
This produced a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 secs, a 0-100 mph time of 10.0 secs, and a top speed of 148 mph.
It had a fixed roof, and a large wing at the rear supported by struts.
This variant was also introduced into the US market around the same time.
This marked the end of the Recent Lotus Elise Series 2.
Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:
Which Lotus Sports Car is Your Favourite?
However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Lotus sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1952 to
1996.
I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels "down sports car memory lane".
If you would care to view my Original article, containing Photographs, Videos, Technical Data, and Charts not shown in this Article, then please click the following link:
http://www.sportscar2.com/sports-car-recent-lotus-elise-series2.html
Alternatively, please view my website on:
http://www.sportscar2.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Radford
