Monday 11th November 2013

Lotus Elise S Cup R revealed

Lotus Motorsport gets its hands on the Elise and makes a wicked little racer

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With the Exige having grown and spawned its own V6 Cup variant, there was a gap in the Lotus line-up where the Exige Cup 260 used to reside. Here then is the Elise S Cup R.

Take one of these....

As the name implies, the Cup is mechanically based on the Elise S we were so beguiled by back in 2012. Power from the Toyota 2ZR-FE is unchanged at 220hp, torque is down a touch at 181lb ft (compared to 184), but Lotus is claiming an uplift in performance thanks to a 'motorsport-specific engine control module'.

There are gains too from Lotus Motorsport's aero work. The Cup R's bodykit includes a front splitter, 'barge boards', a diffuser and rear spoiler. Despite this and the hardtop, Lotus claims an identical kerbweight to the road car at 924kg. An official downforce figure hasn't been released, but Lotus has said the Cup R is four seconds a lap faster round a 5km circuit than the Elise S.

Also contributing to the performance increase are tweaks to the suspension and brakes. Given how capable the standard car is on track, it's not hugely surprising to find the changes aren't huge. The Cup R comes with adjustable TCA springs and dampers, some upgraded braked pads and forged wheels. The tyres are Yokohama Advan Neova AD07s.

... and add a bit of this for Elise S Cup R

As befits the Cup R's racer status, the interior is prepped for the track. There's an FIA-spec roll cage and fire extinguished, six-point harnesses and a HANS device for the seat, a quick release steering wheel and a battery isolator switch.

Options for the Cup R include an FIA-spec fuel cell, air-con for the softies and 'ultra-lightweight' motorsport wheels for those wanting to eke out the last tenth.

The Elise Cup R is eligible for entry in the production class of the 2014 Lotus Cup, against various other Elises, Exiges, Evoras, 340Rs and 2-Elevens. Lotus Design will even paint it in a racy livery for you, for a total of £39,125 plus VAT.

[Richard-G]

dear Santa, that front splitter pleaseeeeeeee!

[hughcam]

A bit to garish for me to want to swap the 111r in

[mrdemon]

I want one :-)

[Krikkit]

Gorgeous. Not insanely priced either, considering how much extra kit has gone into it.

[mrdemon]

NOT ROAD LEGAL !!!!!

what !!!!!

is it road legal or not ?

[crofty1984]

Looks like Lotus still hasn't paid their lighting supplier!
Looks like a great car. Wish I had one.

On another note, thought closing the site was a nice touch.

[s111dpc]

Loving the look of that - I can see the spliter and spoiler becoming very popular

[rdjohn]

mrdemon said:

NOT ROAD LEGAL !!!!!

what !!!!!

is it road legal or not ?

Presumably the splitter makes it way too low?

And difficult to get on/off a trailer unless it is somehow easily detachable.

[rdjohn]

mrdemon said:

NOT ROAD LEGAL !!!!!

what !!!!!

is it road legal or not ?

Presumably the splitter makes it way too low?

And difficult to get on/off a trailer unless it is somehow easily detachable.

Edited by rdjohn on Monday 11th November 12:28

[JONSCZ]

Another 'special edition' Lotus... reminds me of this http://sniffpetrol.com/2008/06/06/lotus-announces-...

[DodoRacing]

Nothing against the awesome car but the designation "S Cup R" sounds like trying too much.

[Itsallicanafford]

AD07's? We're these not superseded by AD08's?

[hondansx]

Surely not eligible for the Production class in Lotus Cup?!

[marshalla]

DodoRacing said:

Nothing against the awesome car but the designation "S Cup R" sounds like trying too much.

Parlously close to "scupper".

[Tiger Tim]

Itsallicanafford said:

AD07's? We're these not superseded by AD08's?

Nope. Both 7's and 8's are current LTS compound tyres.

Great tyres as well

[mintyduck]

Lotus just aren't with it anymore.

40k buys a M3 / Nissan GTR. It's just crazy money for a design which has altered so little and is now covered in stickers.

Lotus remind me of Blackberry. A company wallowing to its slow inevitable death.

[otolith]

mintyduck said:

Lotus just aren't with it anymore.

40k buys a M3 / Nissan GTR.

No it doesn't. You can't buy a new M3, and a GTR is almost twice that. Unless you are talking about used cars, in which case there is a supercharged Elise in the PH classifieds for £22,950.

And for the money I'd rather have the Elise than either of them.

Anyway, why do you think a mass produced 23k repmobile with a big engine stuffed in it is better value at M3 money?

[mrdemon]

mintyduck said:

Lotus just aren't with it anymore.

40k buys a M3 / Nissan GTR. It's just crazy money for a design which has altered so little and is now covered in stickers.

Lotus remind me of Blackberry. A company wallowing to its slow inevitable death.

M3 and GTR are both over 70k !!!

[Itsallicanafford]

Tiger Tim said:

Nope. Both 7's and 8's are current LTS compound tyres.

Great tyres as well

AD08's are awesome, have a set on my MX-5 and you can lap all day long with them...

[4a4]

mintyduck said:

Lotus just aren't with it anymore.

40k buys a M3 / Nissan GTR. It's just crazy money for a design which has altered so little and is now covered in stickers.

Lotus remind me of Blackberry. A company wallowing to its slow inevitable death.

1 post in 15 months? I would say obvious troll is obvious, but i think you're just a moron.

Please send me a number for your contact that can get 40K M3s and GTRs. I reckon we could make a fortune here.

I'll buy you an Elise, and a Blackberry to match it.