Νέα, ακόμα πιο ελαφριά, Lotus Elise 250 Special Edition

Τι και αν όταν τον περασμένο Φεβρουάριο η Lotus παρουσίασε την Elise Cup 250 και πιστέψαμε ότι αυτή είναι η πιο ελαφριά έκδοση που μπορεί να βγάλει η εταιρία; Σήμερα, οι βρετανικοί μας δείχνουν ότι έχουν μεγάλη εμμονή με το βάρος και κάνουν τα πάντα για να αφαιρούν μάζα από τα μοντέλα τους.

Το αποτέλεσμα είναι η ειδική -και περιορισμένης παραγωγής- έκδοση που βλέπεις, με την ονομασία Special Edition, η οποία γιορτάζει τα 50 χρόνια της εταιρίας. Το βάρος της “νορμάλ” Elise

αγγίζει τα τα 931 κιλά ή 10 κιλά λιγότερα με το προαιρετικό carbon πακέτο. Η Special Edition, όμως σπάει κατά 1 κιλό το “φράγμα” των 900 κιλών.

Όπως καταλαβαίνεις, και η συγκεκριμένη Elise παραμένει πιστή στο δόγμα του “τεράστιου” Colin Chapman, “Simplify, then add lightness” . Διαθέτει περισσότερα μέρη από carbon και αλουμίνιο, με την Elise Cup 250 Special Edition να διαθέτει εμπρός splitter, εμπρός κάλυμμα, πίσω αεροτομή και κάλυμμα του κινητήρα από carbon , ενώ το υπόλοιπο σώμα είναι από αλουμίνιο και μπορεί να βαφτεί σε 4 χρώματα (μπλε, κίτρινο, κόκκινο και άσπρο).

Μηχανικά, κινείται από τον supercharged, τετρακύλινδρο 1.8-λίτρων κινητήρα της Toyota, που αποδίδει 246 άλογα και 250 Nm ροπής από τις 3.500 μέχρι και τις 5.500 σ.α.λ. Συνδυάζεται με ένα 6-ταχυτο μηχανικό κιβώτιο, που στέλνει την κίνηση στον πίσω άξονα, μέσω ενός ηλεκτρονικού διαφορικού περιορισμένης ολίσθησης. Για τα 0-100 χλμ/ώρα χρειάζεται μόλις 4,3 δευτ., ενώ η τελική του ταχύτητα αγγίζει τα 248 χλμ/ώρα.

Κατά τα άλλα, η Elise Cup 250, είναι εξοπλισμένη με ρυθμιζόμενη εμπρός αντιστρεπτική ράβδο, αμορτισέρ της Bilstein και ελατήρια της Eibach, διπίστονες εμπρός δαγκάνες της AP Racing και μονοπίστονες της Brembo πίσω και ένα αεροδυναμικό bodykit που παράγει 66 κιλά downforce στα 160 χλμ/ώρα. Επίσης, να σημειώσουμε ότι το συγκεκριμένο μοντέλο είναι διαθέσιμο τόσο ως roadster, όσο και ως hard-top.

Η Lotus θα κατασκευάσει μόλις 50 μονάδες, και θα την κάνει δικιά του όποιος προλάβει. Η τιμή της ορίζεται στις £47.900 στην Αγγλία €64.000 στην Γερμανία, €64.540 στην Γαλλία και €67.980. στην Ιταλία, ενώ στην Ιαπωνία κοστίζει 9,4 εκατ. Yen (€82.900).

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Δελτίο Τύπου

Speed, Style and Panache: Elise 250 Special Edition

50th anniversary edition celebrates founding of Hethel site

Hand finished, with lightweight carbon components as standard899 kg kerb weight delivers pure and precise driving experience

In a celebration of style and lightweight performance, and helping mark the 50thanniversary of the company’s famous Hethel site, Lotus has revealed the latest addition to its collection: the exclusive Elise 250 Special Edition.

Based on the critically acclaimed Elise Cup 250 launched earlier this year, but featuring a raft ofexclusive components as standard, the new Lotus Elise 250 Special Edition offers an outstanding combination of performance and panache. With a supercharged 243 hp engine, a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds, and a unique, hand-finished interior, it perfectly defines the quintessential British sportscar in this celebration year.

As an antidote to sterilised and staid modern cars, Lotus’ approach continues to deliver the purest, undiluted driving experience. Tipping the scales at just 899 kg, through the utilisation of advanced materials including carbon fibre and aluminium, the Elise 250 Special Edition remains true to the company’s philosophy of ‘Light is Right’ and is capable of humbling far more common, yet expensive, rivals.

Powered by a high-output, supercharged, 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine, the Elise 250 Special Edition boasts 243 hp (246 PS) at 7200 rpm and 250 Nm of torque between 3500 rpm and 5500 rpm. This, along with the car’s 899kg kerb weight, contributes to the impressive 270 hp/tonne headline figure.

However, far from being solely performance orientated, the Elise 250 Special Edition is designed to appeal aesthetically as well as dynamically. A selection of beautifully finished carbon-fibre components come as standard, including a front splitter, rear wing, tailgate and front access panel, all giving the car considerable kerb appeal.

Drawing inspiration from some of the company’s most alluring models, the new Elise is the perfect blend of both style and substance. As befitting a hand-built sports car from one of the world’s most famous marques, it’s beautifully detailed and conceived as a tribute to one of countless Lotus fans’ favourite cars. The Lotus Elan, launched in 1963, established itself as one of the icons of 60’s motoring and even became a star of screen in hit TV shows of the time, including the classic series The Avengers.

Draped in a composite body and finished in one of four of the firm’s favourite colours, the Elise 250 Special Edition is limited to just 50 examples. With a high specification as standard, itcombines traditional British craftsmanship with the best of contemporary design. From the hand-made carbon components, to the hand-finished leather seats, it sets the benchmark for exclusive sports cars.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented, “When we first introduced the Elise, it redefined how involving and exciting, yet civilised, a sports car could be. As the Elise was conceived, designed, engineered and is built at Hethel, we wanted a 50th tribute that’s even lighter than the fastest road-going Elise we’ve ever produced. The new Elise 250 Special Edition achieves that, so it’s supremely quick and agile, but it’s also wonderfully finished and stunning to look at.”

Helping celebrate the company’s 50 years in Norfolk, the car is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Elise 250 Special Edition is the latest in a series of unique products marking this significant milestone in the company’s history.

The performance and handling characteristics of every Lotus are developed on the famous site’s test track. Over the last 50 years it’s been responsible for honing all the company’s historic models, including the Elan, and Esprit, as well its fastest ever cars, the amazing Evora 400 and ballistic3-Eleven.

Lotus Elise 250 Special Edition

The Elise 250 Special Edition is available in choice of four colours, each a long-standing favourite over the last 50 years. Classic metallic blue, red, yellow and white finishes are all complemented by ultralight forged wheels in silver, or black as an option. An optional carbon fibre hardtop roof panel is also available.

The same attention to detail continues inside, with the carbon-fibre sports seats finished in either dark blue or dark grey leather, and stitched with a choice of contrasting colours. The car’s door trim is afforded the same hand-stitched finish.

Despite its sophistication, the Elise 250 Special Edition is just at home on the track as it is onBond Street. The new car laps the company’s Hethel test circuit in 1 minute 34 seconds, the fastest recorded time for a production road-going Elise. The car carries over the same suspension and braking components from the Elise Cup 250, including Bilstein sports dampers and Eibach coaxial coil springs and double wishbone suspension. AP Racing twin-piston front calipers, and Brembo single-piston rear calipers work in conjunction with the track-tuned ABS system.

Fitted with a slick, six-speed manual gearbox, the Elise 250 Special Edition includes an Electronic Differential Lock as standard to give better traction and faster exit speeds when cornering.

The new Elise also features driver selectable ESP modes, providing ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings. Proportionally increasing throttle response, lowering traction slip thresholds and removing understeer recognition, it allows enhanced control before the system intervenes.

An integrated in-car entertainment system can also be specified, including iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth® functionality, along with air conditioning, cruise control, auxiliary driving lights, full carpets, floor mats and enhanced sound insulation.

The new Elise 250 Special Edition can also be personalised through the Lotus Exclusive programme. Combining craftsmanship with modern design, the service inspires customers to spend time tailoring the character of their Lotus with a comprehensive array of options to suit any budget.

News of the special edition follows the Lotus Elise’s success as Readers’ Champion at the prestigious Autocar Awards. From a starting roster of 50, tens of thousands of motoring fans voted for the iconic car as part of an online competition.

The hand-built sports car from Norfolk has long been regarded as a benchmark within the industry, providing a level of precision and driver involvement that rivals can’t match. Perfectly tuned for British roads the Lotus Elise, intelligently equipped and surprisingly usable, allows owners to enjoy driving day in, day out.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price

UK (Pound Sterling)£47,900Germany (Euros)€64,000France (Euros)€64,540Italy (Euros)€67,980Japan (¥ Yen)¥9.4m

Technical Specification:

PERFORMANCEElise 250Max power243 hp at 7200 rpm (246 PS) (181 kW)Max torque250 Nm between 3500 rpm and 5500 rpm (184 lbft)0-60 mph3.9 seconds0-100 km/h4.3 secondsMax speed154 mph (248 km/h)Fuel Consumption mpg (l/100 km)Urban

Extra Urban

Combined28.0 (10.1)

47.1 (6.0)

37.7 (7.5)CO2emissions175 g/kmUnladen weight899 kgENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONAll alloy, 1.8 litre DOHC 4-cylinder, dual VVT-i, 16-valve with chargecooled Magnuson R900 supercharger utilising Eaton TVSTM technologyMid mounted, transverse, rear wheel driveMulti-point sequential fuel injection and direct ignition systemLotus Electronic Throttle Control system6 speed manual gearbox with sports ratiosElectronic Differential Lock (EDL)CHASSIS AND BODYLightweight, extruded aluminium bonded chassis structureT45 motorsport hoopFully independent double wishbone suspension, with adjustable front anti-roll barBilstein high performance gas dampers, front and rearEibach coaxial coil springs, front and rearAP-Racing twin-piston front calipers and single piston rear calipersServo assisted, cross drilled and ventilated brake discs, 288 mm diameter, front and rearTrack-tuned ABS systemDriver selectable ESP modesLightweight lithium-ion batteryEXTERIOR SPECIFICATIONClassic Blue, Yellow, Red or White metallic paint finishCarbon fibre front splitter, rear wing, tailgate and front access panelRoll hoop cover, wing mirror caps, rear transom panel and wing uprights in silver finishRear diffuser in silver finishUltra-lightweight silver forged alloy wheels (16” front and 17” rear)Yokohama AO48 LTS tyres 195/50 ZR16 (front) 225/45 ZR17 (rear)Halogen front main and dip lights with integrated direction indicatorsLED rear lamps with integrated direction indicatorsBlack soft-topClear sill stone chip protection film OPTIONAL EXTRASCarbon fibre hard topAir conditioningUltra-lightweight black forged alloy wheels (16” front and 17” rear)Black Pack, including roll hoop cover, wing mirror caps, rear transom panel, rear diffuser and wing uprights painted in matt blackCruise controlIntegrated in-car entertainment system, including iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth®Full carpetFloor matsSound insulationAuxiliary driving lights