2013 Lotus Elise S3 Club Racer

Highlights 

• Full main dealer and specialist service history

• Low mileage

• Some tasteful upgrades

• Excellent condition throughout

• Full year's MOT

Overview

Anyone with even a passing interest in the automotive world will know that the Lotus Elise is one of the all time greatest and most fun cars to chuck not only around the countryside but also around a race track, so inherently capable it is at going fast around corners. It speaks volumes as to how well-engineered the thing was when it only needed a 1.8-litre Rover K-Series four-cylinder engine to achieve that well-deserved and legendary status.

Introduced in 1996 the Elise was, and remains, pure driving pleasure. Featuring a lightweight fibreglass body and a bonded, extruded aluminium chassis the Elise didn't need big power figures to be engaging, something that was further proven with the second generation in 2001. 

The third and final iteration came in 2011 in the form of the S3 and was fitted exclusively with Toyota four-cylinder engines. Lotus would go even more hardcore this time around though with the introduction of the Club Racer edition, which is exactly what we have available here.

24kg lighter than a standard S3 the Club Racer weighs in at a staggeringly light 852kg. Harking back to the original Series 1 cars where less is more was definitely the vibe. The Club Racer only needed a 134bhp 1.6-litre engine to make rather rapid progress and the car is able to carry that speed through corners in a way that is truly staggering. There's also a 'Sport' button too that dials down the traction control for a more analogue feel and increased sideways fun.

Originally supplied by Murray Lotus in Edinburgh, this 2013, low mileage Lotus Elise S3 Club Racer has been lovingly cared for and meticulously maintained throughout its life, a fact that's evinced by the full main dealer and specialist service history that accompanies the car.

In wonderful condition throughout and with some subtle but choice upgrades this Elise is reported to be in excellent running order and would make for a truly engaging weekend toy or track day weapon.

History and documentation

• 2013 model year

• V5C present and correct

• In current ownership since 2015

• First registered 21 Jun 2013

• Original book pack

• Two keys

• Full service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: 2013 @ 1,117 miles, 2014 @ 8,631 miles, 2015 @ 15,425 miles, 2016 @ 19,336 miles, 2018 @ 21,846 miles, 2019 @ 22,531 miles, 2020 @ 23,412 miles, 2023 @ 24,385 miles, 2024 @ 25,148 miles

• Service invoices and receipts included

• Full year's MOT

• HPI clear

• 25,263 indicated miles

Interior

• The interior is in excellent condition and unmarked except for a small light scratch to the top of the driver's side A-pillar

• Original manufacturer fitted stereo

• Factory carpet mats in good condition although one of the plastic carpet fixings to the driver's side footwell is broken on the threaded insert (easily replaced)

• The boot space is clean and tidy and houses the battery that was replaced in 2023

• Seats are in excellent condition

• Dashboard and door cards are unmarked

• The engine bay is equally well-presented and looks to be clean

Exterior

• Externally the car presents beautifully and the paintwork remains in great condition

• The front clamshell bumper and rear wheel arches benefit from Paint Protection Film from new 

• There is a small area of minor bubbling to the PPF in the centre of the front clamshell bumper but there is no damage to the underlying paintwork or fibreglass

• Some usual minor stone chipping on the bonnet above the front bumper

• The PPF UV resistance film on the headlights was replaced this year

• The soft top is in excellent condition and was professionally refurbished by Allon White Sports Cars in 2023

• Panel gaps appear uniform and the car shows no signs of damage

• The original 17” lightweight alloy wheels are unmarked and are said by the seller to be in as-new condition

• All four wheels are shod in Yokohama AD08-RS tyres which were fitted new in October 2023 according to the seller

• The original rear lights have been replaced with GRP Halo lights including a new indicator module which gives an audible indicator signal that the original module didn’t

• The original rear lights and indicator module can be made available on request

Mechanical

• 134bhp, 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 6.4s

• 127mph top speed

• OEM manufacturer fitted Stage 1 sports exhaust (not overly loud as reported by the vendor)

• Rear shock absorbers replaced with OEM parts in 2023

• Full new set of Denso spark plugs fitted this year

• The vendor informs us that the car has only covered 200 miles since the last service on September 24th 2024 and is in excellent working order, runs very smoothly and starts, stops and drives as it should

• No mechanical issues to report

Summary

If you want a proper driver's car that you can take to the track at weekends but still drive on the road then the Lotus Elise makes a hell of a compelling argument and this S3 Club Sport is perhaps the purest incarnation, allowing you to fully involve yourself in the joy of driving without the need for anything superfluous. The fact that it comes with full service history and a long MOT is just another string to its bow that should have you clicking on that bid button before we can say “Fancy Cadwell Park this weekend?”.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Dundee, Scotland.