Lotus today revealed the official informations about the 2008 line-up. The company prepared increased levels of performance for both Elise and

Exige, but the big news is the supercharged Elise SC, a 217 hp version of the multi award-winning roadster, easily identified by its new rear spoiler and unique new design of alloy road wheels.

2008 Lotus Elise SC

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2008 Lotus Elise SC

Despite the on-paper similarity with the Exige S, this is no mere engine swap – this is an allnew, non-intercooled installation applied to the current Elise’s 1.8-litre 2-ZZ VVTL-i engine. The Lotus-designed, Magnuson-produced supercharger uses a smaller Eaton rotor pack (an M45 unit) than that of the current Exige S, and is married to the intake manifold plenum as part of a single-piece casting. Combined with the absence of an intercooler and its associated pipework, this integrated supercharger/intake assembly contributes to an 8kg reduction in engine weight compared with the Exige S.

A further benefit of dispensing with the intercooler for the Elise SC application is the supercharger packaging viability for Elise and improved rear visibility when adopted into the Exige S, where vision from the rear view mirror is masked by the current intercooler installation. The Elise SC has been designed to have different driving characteristics to the Exige S. In
keeping with its role as a supremely fast road car rather than extreme track machine, throttle response is very progressive but also very direct, resulting in a measured, refined driving experience.

But, as you might expect of a car with 217 hp and weighing only 903 kg (1987 lbs), the performance of the Elise SC is electrifying – 0-60 mph in 4.4 secs / 0-100 km/h in 4.6 secs (estimated); 0-100 mph / 160 km/h in 10.7 secs (estimated); top speed 150 mph / 240 km/h (estimated). Although for the record, the Exige S remains the faster car on track, thanks to its superior aerodynamics package that generates 42 kg (92 lbs) of downforce at 100 mph (160 km/h). The fuel economy of the Elise SC is impressive with an estimated combined figure of 9.1 litres / 100 km (31.0 mpg).

A new bespoke wheel design is introduced to the Elise SC, the rears having increased half an inch in width to 8.0 inches, to give even better grip performance from the standard Lotus specific Yokohama AD07 LTS 225/45 R17 tyres.