Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2010: Lotus Elise
New Elise has lower CO2 emissions, less drag and styling to match the Evora's

This is Lotus’s revised Elise, which promises a significant cut in CO2 emissions, improved fuel economy and styling more in line with that of its Evora stablemate.

The facelifted Elise has a wider stance thanks to its new front bumper, splitter and clamshell. It has a repositioned front light cluster featuring LED daytime running lights for the first time, and the Elise’s signature Lotus ‘mouth’ has been widened. At the rear, it gets a new bumper and engine cover.

See the official new Lotus Elise pics

These styling tweaks mean the Elise has received a four per cent reduction in drag, helping fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Emissions in the new entry-level 1.6-litre S model, the first time a 1.6 has appeared in an Elise, have been cut by 13 per cent to 155g/km over the previous entry-level model. The 192bhp 1.8-litre R and the supercharged 217bhp SC now emit 196g/km and 199g/km of CO2 respectively.

Engine efficiency and performance have been optimised in the Toyota-sourced 1.6 powerplant through Valvematic and Dual VVT-i tech. A new six-speed, close-ratio gearbox has also been introduced; it’s fitted to all variants.

Other additions to the options list include two types of lightweight forged alloy wheels, and cruise control.

Prices will be revealed next month ahead of the car arriving in UK showrooms from April, but they’re unlikely to start much above the £26,550 of the current S.

Mark Tisshaw

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Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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every thing you... 20 February 2010

Re: Lotus Elise facelift revealed

Nigelo wrote:

beachland2 wrote:
Lotus should turbocharge the 1.0 aygo engine. This would give them 130bhp and good torque.

That /\ is a great idea!!

Seconded. It might happen yet, although I think group Lotus will have some even more interesting powertrain tricks up their sleeves.

kcrally 20 February 2010

Re: Lotus Elise facelift revealed

4% reduction in drag is quite impressive and shows what a few aerodynamic tweaks can do.

Zeddy 20 February 2010

Re: Lotus Elise facelift revealed

beachland2 wrote:
Lotus should turbocharge the 1.0 aygo engine. This would give them 130bhp and good torque.

The triple pot would shake the Lotus to pieces!