Lotus announces new, cleaner and more efficient Elise and Exige

Earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus released the newest version of the lightweight Exige S. At the time, the UK-based automaker highlighted the fact that the new model was both faster and more fuel efficient than its predecessor. About a month and a half has passed since then, and Lotus has now released the fuel efficiency and emissions statistics of the rest of the Elise and Exige line.

The most impressive performer may be the base model Elise S, which uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from Toyota. According to Lotus, the 2010 Elise S can scoot to 60 miles per hour in just 5.7 seconds, though driving at a less frenetic pace will net you about 31 miles per gallon (37 mpg in the UK) on the European combined cycle; that's a nine percent improvement over the previous model.

While at first blush these figures don't seem to matter all that much – the Elise and Exige are performance cars first and foremost – a comparison between the cars from Lotus and competing sportscars from the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz puts the Exige and Elise's impressive figures in a much better light. Further, Lotus' lightweight know-how means its platforms are popular choices for EV conversions. See the full press release after the break.

[Source: Lotus]

PRESS RELEASE:

2010 Model Year Elise and Exige Now Cleaner than Ever

For 2010 Model Year, the Elise and Exige have substantially reduced CO2 emissions and improved fuel consumption

The latest Elise and Exige models are the product of continuous improvement to give up to a 9% reduction in CO2 emissions and similar increases in fuel economy.

On the combined cycle, the Elise S shows the greatest improvement in fuel efficiency offering an increase of 3.2 mpg (a decrease of 0.7 l/100km), from 34.0 mpg (8.3 l/100 km) to 37.2 mpg (7.6 l/100km). These figures are achieved by focusing on light weight technology and small, efficient engines to achieve sensational performance and class leading fuel economy.

	Combined (l/100km-mpg)	CO2 g/km	0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)
Lotus Elise SC	8.5 - 33.2	199	4.6
Porsche Boxster S	9.5 - 29.7	223	5.3
Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG	12.0 - 23.5	288	4.9
Ferrari F430 Spider	15.2 - 18.6	345	4.1

Figures displayed above are from manufacturers' websites as at 8/4/09

The exciting new 2010 model year Elise and Exige are on sale now at Lotus dealers.

Elise S: 179 g/km CO2
7.6 l/100 km (37.2 mpg) Combined Cycle
10.6 l/100 km (26.6 mpg) Urban Cycle
5.8 l/100 km (48.7 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

Elise R: 196 g/km CO2
8.2 l/100 km (34.4 mpg) Combined Cycle
11.6 l/100 km (24.4 mpg) Urban Cycle
6.2 l/100 km (45.6 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

Elise SC: 199 g/km CO2
8.5 l/100 km (33.2 mpg) Combined Cycle
11.8 l/100 km (23.9 mpg) Urban Cycle
6.4 l/100 km (44.1 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

Exige S: 199 g/km CO2
8.5 l/100 km (33.2 mpg) Combined Cycle
11.9 l/100 km (23.7 mpg) Urban Cycle
6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

Notes:

About Lotus
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Limited, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacture worldwide.

Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, and the Exige and Europa. Lotus' latest model, the Lotus Evora, goes on sale from Summer 2009. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.