2004 Lotus Elise 111R S2 Tsukuba Supercharged

Highlights

• In-depth history stretching back 20 years

• Full gearbox rebuild in 2024

• ‘Tsukuba Supercharged’ conversion carried out by Sinclair Motorsport

• Approximately 280bhp

• Touring Pack

Overview

Here at PistonHeads towers, it’s no secret that we love all-things Lotus. This Elise, however, is a little special. Outshopped as a desirable 111R model with the Touring Pack, the Exige front clam and carbon detailing offers a small insight into the fact that this is no ordinary S2 Elise. 

Prior to Lotus themselves offering a supercharged Elise in 2008 with the SC, independent specialists and tuning houses were offering their own upgrade kits, with one such example being the so-called ‘Tsukuba’ supercharger conversion, offered by Sinclair (now Essex) Motorsport.

This 2004-registered 111R was one of the recipients of the aforementioned conversion, and went on to be a show car for the business. Boasting not only a conversion to forced induction with the accompanying boost in power (to roughly 280bhp) the Tsukuba conversion also included an extensive package of underside and supporting upgrades, including Nitron/Bilstein suspension and more. 

Whilst reportedly marketed well and with success in-period, few Tsukuba Supercharged Elises remain on the roads, making this example exceedingly rare, and our seller reports that it is ‘1 of 1’ in this specification, making it all the more appealing. 

Having been in the care of enthusiasts throughout its lifetime and used as Lotus intended with a mixture of on-road and track use, this Elise would make for a fantastic and very capable addition to any marque or driving enthusiast’s garage.

History and documentation

• Registered 09 Jul 2004

• There is no stamped service history, but there is evidence of regular oil changes being carried out by former keepers, with invoices for oil in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and 2021

• The seller reports that there was an engine rebuild in 2016 with new timing chain, belts and tensioners

• The seller reports that the latest service took place in 2024 using Fuchs Titan 5w-40 engine oil, along with a brake fluid change being carried out at the same time

• The seller also reports that oil changes were carried out every two track days or six months, whichever came first

• Tsukuba Supercharged conversion carried out by Sinclair (now Essex) Motorsport in 2008, and subsequently used as a show vehicle for the business

• Despite being successfully marketed in-period, the vendor reports that very few Tsukuba Supercharged Elises remain on the road

• New exhaust cat in 2020

• Full document pack

• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates

• Two keys

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 18 July 2026

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Invoice for gearbox rebuild in October 2024 by marque specialist ES Motorsport

• The rebuild also included fitment of Carbon synchros, new gears, bearings and shifter cables

• A performance clutch was also fitted at the time of the rebuild

• The supercharger was replaced in 2019 by Hangar 111 with an Eaton MP62 Supercharger

Interior

• Two-tone, driver-focused interior in very good overall condition, though it would benefit from a valet to bring it back to its best

• LUKE 4-point harnesses, in addition to OE 3-point belts

• Fire extinguisher mounted in passenger footwell

• Blaupunkt DAB radio with Bluetooth connectivity

• Dash-mounted shift indicator

• There are some small areas of wear noted on the driver’s seat base, but otherwise both seats look to be in good order

• Pneumatic lumbar support adjustment

• The suede-style material on the steering wheel centre is beginning to discolour at the edges

• Both door cards are starting to wear, with the door pulls being notably patinated

• The lower dashboard/centre console exhibits some wear-and-tear blemishes

• Minor scratches are visible on the door sill areas and around the door apertures

• Looking closely, a typical level of patination/wear is visible on the high-traffic areas such as the handbrake and dashboard controls

• No reported electrical faults

Exterior

• Classic yellow bodywork in very good overall condition, especially when considering that this Elise is designed to be a track-focused example

• Lotus Exige front clam, splitter and wheels

• Lotus GT4 rear spoiler

• Quick-release undertray for ease of maintenance

• Rear panel ‘delete’

• Extended rear diffuser

• Carbon-fibre front covers and side intake pods

• As expected from a performance car such as this, there are areas of stone chips visible on the front end and exposed edges

• An area of damage is visible on the lower offside corner of the front bumper, ahead of the front arch

• The nearside lower corner also shows evidence of an impact

• The offside rear carbon intake has been damaged by a stone on the leading edge

• We note a scuff on the nearside upright of the rear wing

• The rear wing surface itself is slightly UV damaged or clouded

• The wheels show some minor blemishes and touched-in chips, but no kerb rash or heavy damage

• Yokohama AD08R tyres, with date code 2016 on the front and no date visible on the rears

Mechanical

• 1,796cc Toyota-sourced 2ZZ-GE mid-mounted inline-four engine

• This example benefits from a Tsukuba Supercharged conversion, boosting power to circa 280bhp 

• Six-speed manual gearbox with limited-slip differential

• Rear-wheel drive

• The engine bay itself is clean and tidy, with no obvious leaks or issues

• ‘Tsukuba’ branded and colour-matched engine covers

• Upgraded engine mounts

• Charge cooler

• Remapped ECU

• Baffled oil sump

• External oil cooler

• Quaife limited-slip differential

• Alloy radiator with twin Spal fans

• Nitron shock-absorbers with Eibach springs

• Upgraded anti-roll bar

• AP racing brake discs with Carbone pads and braided brake lines

• K&N air filter with carbon-fibre ducting

• Chris Tullet custom exhaust system

• Hangar 111 sports catalytic converter

• The seller notes that this Elise has been maintained ‘irrespective of cost’ throughout its lifetime 

• Reportedly, this supercharged Elise 111R is in excellent mechanical health, and offers drivers an intoxicating driving experience, thanks to the combination of intake and supercharger noise right behind the cabin, whilst the supercharger conversion makes the power delivery far more linear and usable throughout the rev range

• In addition to its capabilities on the track, the seller also notes that this Elise is comfortable on a long run, and can return up to 30mpg

Summary

Having been professionally upgraded and converted to forced induction in-period by a marque specialist and subsequently maintained well and used as intended, this Lotus Elise 111R is a fantastically capable and exceedingly rare example of 00s track car tuning that will hold its own against cars far more expensive than it, yet remains perfectly usable on a long run and in day-to-day driving, should the next owner wish to utilise it for such situations.

Please note that the video and photography for this listing took place on a closed road

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 Macclesfield, Cheshire.