Lotus ->ke49 has announced the launch of a new track-only model based on the new Elise S. The new model, which is called the Elise S Cup R, will enter the 2014 Lotus Cup series in different countries around the world. This new race is priced from £39,125 (about $62,700) in Europe and $66,650 in the U.S.
The Elise S Cup R is powered by the same mid-mounted, 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE engine found in the Elise->ke1678 S, but with updates needed for the race track. The engine features a Magnuson R900 supercharger with Eaton TVS technology, and it mates to a six-speed manual gear box as standard. This allows the Elise S Cup R to put down 217 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque -- the same as the stock Elise S.
The new Elise S Cup R rides on forged alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Neova tires sized 175/55R16 up front and 225/45R17 on the rear. Lotus->ke49 also installed a new TCA suspension kit and a new high-performance brake system with twin-piston, fixed aluminum-alloy front brake calipers, 288-by-26 mm (11.3-by-1.02-inch) rotors, and single-piston, sliding rear calipers.
Inside, the Elise S Cup R gets your typical racing equipment, like a roll cage, fire extinguisher, six-point harness, HANS-compliant racing seat, quick-release wheel and a polycarbonate rear window.
Click past the jump to read more about the Lotus Elise S Cup R.
Update 11/12/2013: Lotus has just revealed to us that the Elise S Cup R will be imported to the U.S. at a price just over $66k, though the road-going variant is not available here.
2014 Lotus Elise S Cup R
- Make: Array
- Model: 2014 Lotus Elise S Cup R
- Engine/Motor: inline-4
- Horsepower: 217
- Torque: 181
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Lotus Elise S Cup R in Detail
The new Elise S Cup R is offered with a carbon-fiber aero kit that includes a new front splitter, barge boards, winglets, rear diffuser, floor extensions and rear wing. Despite all of these additional parts, the model still weights only 2,037 pounds.
Also included are adjustable damper and springs, which help reduce the average lap time by 4 seconds on a 5 km (3.1-mile) track over the standard Elise S.