Lotus Elise SC: Super Light, Super Quick

Motoring Channel Staff - 6/May/2008

Sydney, Australia — Lotus has added the new Elise SC to its 2008 range in Australia, creating one of the fastest cars money can buy in this country.

The 'SC' part of the name refers to the supercharger that boosts engine power to 162kW, which together with the Elise's 870kg kerb weight allows the British sports car to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

Distinguished from its stable mates by a new rear wing and different alloy wheel rims, Jonathan Stretton from Lotus Cars Australia commented, "The introduction of the Elise SC opens a new sector for Lotus while maintaining its core values of light weight and extreme performance. 

"The Elise SC combines the practicality of the Elise with its removable roof, great vision and superb response, with the exceptional performance of a supercharger installation."

The car's 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine outputs 162kW of power and like the 141kW Lotus Elise R, the Elise SC runs a 6-speed manual gearbox.

A new bespoke alloy wheel design is introduced to the Elise SC with the rears increasing in width half an inch to 8-inches which offers increased grip from the standard Lotus specific Yokohama AD07 LTS 225/45 R17 tyres.

As well as it's lightning quick 4.6 seconds zero to 100km/h sprint, it complete the zero to 160km/h dash in 10.7 seconds and has a top speed of 241km/h.

"The new Elise SC is a formidable package, the very essence of what a real sports car is all about," added Stretton.

Lotus has also confirmed that the new model which costs $104,990, will get new features such as an updated alarm/immobiliser with single integrated function key, new instruments with increased functionality, and simplified option packs - one for the sports car enthusiast, and one for more comfortable touring.

Lotus says that the Touring and Sport packs can also be combined.

The new Elise SC's powerplant was designed by Lotus, using the same 1.8-litre 2-ZZ VVTL-i engine but adding a supercharger developed by Magnuson. The Eaton M45 supercharger saves weight by omitting an intercooler.

According to the car maker, the Elise SC has been designed to possess different driving characteristics to the Exige S. In keeping with its role as a supremely fast road car rather than extreme track machine, throttle response is very progressive resulting in a measured, more refined driving experience explains Lotus.

As well as having extreme performance with enough acceleration to outpace an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the fuel economy of the Elise SC is pretty low, with combined figure of just 8.5L/100km.

New pearlescent colours have been added to the 2008 Elise range, which Lotus refers to as the 'Premium Colour Range'.

Outputting 212Nm of torque @ 5000rpm, the Lotus Elise SC had more torque than the Elise R. Braking is taken care of by AP Racing calipers at the front and Brembo calipers at the rear linked to 282mm vented and cross-drilled cast iron discs.

The new instrument panel in the Elise SC features black back-lit dials and a new high-definition LCD message panel that can display a scrolling message with vehicle system information. The new instruments constantly display fuel, engine temperature and odometer while other features such as time, trip distance or a digital speed readout in mph can be selected.

New gear shift lights are hidden until needed: three cumulative up-shift lights simultaneously flash just before the rev-limiter at a speed dependent on which gear is selected.

The new Lotus Elise SC is priced at $104,990 and stand-alone options not included in the two packs (see below) include Lotus traction control, limited-slip differential and removable hardtop.

Elise Touring pack - $8,000:
- Full leather or Microfibre suede-effect interior
- ProBax Seats
- Leather trimmed centre console and handbrake gaiter
- Sound system iPod connection
- Full carpets (Black), with embroidered ‘Elise’ logo
- Auxiliary driving lights
- Sound insulation paneling
- Retractable aluminium cup holder

Elise Sport pack - $7,000:
- Bilstein sports dampers
- Lotus switchable traction control
- Twin oil coolers
- ProBax Sport seats with harness eyelets
- 7 twin spoke ultra lightweight forged wheels (Hi-power Silver) with standard AD07 tyres

Related Articles:
- Lotus Europa SE (2008)
- Lotus Exige Sport 240 (2007)
- Lotus Europa S (2006)
- Type 72 Lotus Elise (2002)
- Lotus Elise (2001)