Tuesday 29th April 2003

Elise 135R

New variant targets track day goers

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Lotus have announced another variant of the Elise - the Lotus Sport Elise 135R. The revised car is the result of a project to produce a car firmly targeted at track day enthusiasts.

The suspension has been given a thorough going over with track use in mind. The Elise's Bilstein dampers have been re-calibrated to give stiffer bump and rebound settings. The dampers are also fitted with adjustable upper spring platforms allowing owners to adjust ride height. A stiffer 'Motorsport' adjustable anti-roll bar has also been fitted.

As denoted by the name, the 135R gets a 135bhp version of the K Series. Work has been done on the head to improve gas flow and the standard intake manifold has been replaced by a cast alloy version as used on the 111 range. A reprogrammed ECU completes the changes which improve the overall breathing and flexibility through the rev range.

No special edition of the Elise would be complete without some fancy wheels - the Lotus Sport Elise 135R is treated to some O.Z. Racing one piece lightweight cast 16-spoke alloys. While the rear wheel size remains unchanged the front wheel size has increased from 5.5 inches to 6.5 inches to give a more positive turn-in on track. The O.Z. wheels are fitted with Yokohama AO48 tyres which have been developed with occasional track use in mind.

At the rear of the car, the 135R gets a three piece diffuser and new exhaust. Only two colours will be available: Silver Mica and Blue Mica.

Launched at dealerships around the country on 1st May 2003, the Lotus Sport Elise 135R will be built as a 'special edition' (denoted by the Lotus Sport chassis plate fixed into the passenger footwell) and as such will only be available in limited numbers. Price will be £27,995.

[Captain Muppet]

Got any pictures? Or prices come to that.

[Bonce]

The Blue Mica looks very similar to the S1 Azure Blue.

[matrs]

Anyone know how much it will be?

[matrs]

www.jonmold.com/images/th/lotus09.jpg

[PetrolTed]

Have asked Lotus for pics but haven't had a response yet.

[alunr]

Amazingly I find out more on PH than on Lotus's Official website.

I have actually enquired as to who runs it etc as it is complete rubbish but can't get any response ever.

Pity - they are one of my dream clients and I'd happily work on the site for them.

[Mark_BT52]

Aimed at trackdays?
Doers this mean Lotus will honour warranties on a 135R taken on a track?
You would expect so wouldn't you...

[ginetta]

There is a 2 page story in Autocar this week. The car gets a good write up. Price is £27,500 plus on the road charges. Limited to 100 cars.

[lama]

I have been talking to Bell & Colvill about one of these. They are quoting £27,495.

I asked whether the warranty is affected by taking the car to track days. They told me the warranty should not be affected, barring some driver error or abuse. I guess you'd have to argue with them at the time....

[PetrolTed]

Piccies added (thanks Antony). Official price is £27,995.

[DanH]

Seems quite pricey though =/

The suspension upgrade was available for 1.9k pre-christmas as a special offer. The 135 engine was offered as a free upgrade for ages too. Can't get the nice blue paint though.

[markqelise]

You really have to be sodding joking another attempt at marketing by the plebs at Hethel - 27K yeh right - give me a VX220 Turbo.
27K for a 135 engine - an engine that requires the absolute balls to be ripped out of it - dont think so.

[Mark_BT52]

Agreed. The price is a bit daft. When a 1 year old small mileage 190 Exige is about £23k and the VXT is £25k I wouldn't even consider this for a second.

[egoold]

Exactly my local dealer wants me to pay £23,995 for a one year old Elise Sports Tourer & I have just been offered a VX turbo brand new for £24,000. Is there any reason apart from the badge for buying the lotus over the vauxhall. Controversial I know, I have always wanted an Elise and the 135R in blue I am sure will look stunning but £4000 more for a less powerful car????

[DanH]

Is there any reason apart from the badge for buying the lotus over the vauxhall.

Yes, but its not a totally convincing case :

- badge.
- styling.
- handling.

I'd be tempted to wait and see if you want a lotus. Afraid I couldn't get a VX220 however good the spec is, I hate the brand and the styling.

[spining-v-grid]

Having recently driven the VX, I'm not convinced

Quicker it may be but braking,handling,steering and dare I even say practicality?!they don't come close.

Good looking car but lacks the finesse of the Elise(well for me) but is a cheaper alternative.

SVG

[philotus]

Nick Whale gotta demo going on very soon.... prices see John Willis

[Nightmare]

HAve you driven the VXT? Cos I wasnt at all convinced by the original VX, but the turbo is brilliant IMO....

egoold...the only reason not to get one is the depreciation issue (higher than for an elise)..but all cars lose value so there ya go

[Spining-v-grid]

I have driven both cars, but admittedly the VXT was a short blast with the Vauxhall guy sat with me(still scared the shit out of him)

The VX is not a bad car, far from really. But being in a position of having owned an Elise and then stepping into the VX has a lot of things(not including the badge) that are not desirable. However coming from a normal road car experience I can only assume you will be pleased.

However the VXT, bloody quick or what!! But the car didn't give me any confidence on the bendy stuff and then it was all over.

All this is in my opinion so my advice would be to go and try it out 4 yourself. Now my cheque has cleared from the insurance company, i know what I will be buying and of course losing money on as well.

SVG

[lama]

I think I agree with Spining-v-grid. I have driven both the normal VX and the VX Turbo at the Bedford Autodrome. They used to run the normal VXs on the North Circuit, which is quite short. (They've changed this circuit around now, and they run the Mitsubishi EVOs there now.) The non-turbo VX was well-suited to this track, but felt a bit floaty. Since they got the VX Turbos they've moved them to the South Circuit, which is a lot longer and which in particular has longer straight-aways. The straight-aways were a blast - the car really flies. But the car was not confidence inspiring in the tighter corners (especially the last two tight hairpins).

Has anyone run an Elise with the suspension package and wheels included on the 135R? Presumably it's good on the track. How is it on the road?