Currently reading: 2016 Lotus Elise Sport and Sport 220 revealed

Lotus shows off two new Elise models, with weight savings and new colour and trim options

The Lotus Elise Sport and Sport 220 are set to join the two-seater sports car's line-up, with the two models replacing the outgoing Elise and Elise S.

The models mark a return for the ‘Sport’ name to a Lotus, with the badge last appearing on the Lotus Esprit.

The two cars get a weight reduction of 10kg, with the Elise Sport now down to 866kg and the Sport 220 now 914kg. The reduced weight doesn’t improve performance but it does bring a marginal boost in claimed economy, with the Sport now managing 45.0mpg the Sport 220 improving to 37.5mpg. The changes are marginal enough that the CO2 emissions remain unchanged.

Both cars also come with lightweight sports seats, which are available with optional tartan trim that harks back to the 1970s Esprit S1. Other visual upgrades and options include lightweight silver or black cast wheels, which are 16in at the front and 17in at the rear. Optional lightweight wheels can shave another 5kg off the car’s weight. A black rear diffuser is standard, along with a choice of 10 different colours. Other options include a hard roof, air conditioning, cruise control and an upgraded Clarion stereo system.

The engines remain unchanged. The Sport comes with a 134bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine with 118lb ft that gets it from 0-62mph in 6.5sec and on to a top speed of 127mph. The Sport 220’s 217bhp 1.8-litre engine manages 0-62mph in 4.6sec and has a 145mph top speed. Both come with a six-speed manual transmission.

The pricing has also been trimmed, with the Elise Sport model starting at £29,900 and the Elise Sport 220 priced at £36,500. Both cars will go on sale from December 2015 in Europe and the rest of the world from January 2016.

Join the debate

Comments
2
Add a comment…
WimbledonSilver 16 November 2015

Sport name used on Elise before

Maybe Mr Webster you should check your facts to maintain Autocar's excellent reputation

lotuscars.com/elise-sport-160

Or is there no one left at Hethel that remembers.....

Ofir 14 November 2015

Not only still holding it

Not only still holding it under a ton but making it lower still. Lets hope the next generation doesnt turn out to be 1100 KG or something like that.