2012 Lotus Elise

Basic Specs

Base Price TBA
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 1931
City (MPG) 21
Hwy (MPG) 27
Horsepower 134@6800
Torque (lb-ft) 118@4400
Wheelbase 90.6
Length (in.) 149.0
Width (in.) 67.7
Height (in.) 44.0

Lotus first offered the little mid-engine Elise in the US market for the 2005 model year, after becoming the best-selling Lotus ever in Europe, where it was sold since 1996. Now the Elise has seen multiple upgrades and updates, including for the latest model year.

Although not a comprehensive revision, the Elise does feature an updated look for the latest model year. Up front the two-seater receives a revised front fascia, complete with new-look headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED turn indicators. The Elise also features a new rear bumper and engine cover, as well as new wheel designs.

Thanks to its new shape, the Elsie's aerodynamics have improved compared to the outgoing model, with the car's Cd down 4 percent. Lotus says the reduced drag will result in a bump in fuel economy.

The big change is the addition of a new entry-level model, dubbed simply the Lotus Elise . The base Elise model comes with a 1.6-liter engine developing 134 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. Although about on par with many entry-level compact models, the Elise's lightweight design ensures overall performance is not compromised, with the two-door still able to scoot from zero-to-60 in just 6 seconds. Top speed is capped at 124mph.

One step up from the base Elise is the Elise R model, packing a 190 horsepower 1.8-liter engine -- capable of taking the Elise from zero-to-60 in 5.4 seconds and on up to a top speed of 138mph.

The Elise SC sits atop the range with a 220 horsepower version of the Elise R's 1.8-liter mill. The Elise SC can hit 60 from a standstill in just 4.3 seconds and top out at 145mph.

The U.S. market will only have access to the 1.8-liter models, with all three models worldwide featuring a new six-speed close ratio gearbox.

On the cozy yet sparse inside, the Alpine head units are replaced with higher-end ones, with the base Elise receiving a 180-watt Alpine AM/FM/CD with four speakers, while the Touring and Premier Pack-equipped Elises get a HD- and satellite-radio ready Alpine CDA-9856 with iPod adapter and four speakers.

The car's chassis weighs only approximately 150 lbs, and the whole car just under 2,000 lbs, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the base Elise sports car gets 24 mpg in the EPA's city cycle and 29 mpg on the highway.

Standard fare is better explained from a performance standpoint, as that's what the Elise is all about. Buyers get staggered wheels, with 16-inch front wheels and 17-inch rears, wrapped in soft Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 LTS tires, and Lotus / AP Racing and Brembo caliper squeezing four vented discs with anti-lock control.

There is also a pair of airbags, and even air-conditioning, though buyers have the costly option of deleting it to save about 20 lbs.

Options include a Touring Pack, with niceties such as an insulated soft top, full leather seat and door trim, more sound insulation and carpets and a cargo net.

Opting for this then allows buyers to order one of the following: a Premium pack, which in turn is good for the better stereo, a leather shift knob and handbrake grip, storage tray and divider and a cup holder. The other is a Special Interior combination that is made up of seat and door panel inserts and a leather covered center console in a choice of four colors.

A Sport Pack includes lighter wheels wrapped in even stickier rubber, more aggressive suspension tuning, two oil coolers, and deletes about 20 lbs from the overall weight. The forged wheels are available on their own.

Once that is purchased, a Track Pack becomes available and comprises of adjustable Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs up front, five-position adjustable front anti-sway bar, a rear control arm brace and fittings in the seat belt support structure to allow for a bolt-in harness bar.

A traction control system with an off switch is another option which needs to be picked before a torque-sensing limited slip differential can be ordered.

Then there is a hardtop, metallic paint which adds 10 color options to the base car's two choices. There is also lifestyle paint which buys one a choice of eight distinct colors and a Starshield clear protection film to protect the body from chips.

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    • General
    • Body Style: Coupe
    • Size: Sub-Compact
    • Market Segment: Performance
    • Weight: 1931 lbs
    • Exterior
    • Length: 149.0 in.
    • Width: 67.7 in.
    • Height: 44.0 in.
    • Wheelbase: 90.6 in.
    • Ground Clearance: 5.1 in.
    • Front Track: 57.4 in.
    • Rear Track: 59.3 in.
    • Weight Distribution: 39/61
    • Drag Coefficient: TBD
    • Interior - General
    • Seats: 2
    • Passenger Volume: TBD
    • Cargo Volume: TBD
    • Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
    • Interior - Front Row
    • Volume: TBD
    • Leg Room: TBD
    • Head Room: TBD
    • Shoulder Room: TBD
    • Hip Room: TBD
    • Propulsion
    • Fuel Type: Gas
    • Engine Type: 1.6L I4
    • Power: 134 hp @ 6800 rpm
    • Torque: 118 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
    • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
    • Highway Fuel Economy: 27 mpg
    • City Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
    • Forced Induction: Supercharger
    • Direct Injection: No
    • Chassis
    • Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
    • Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
    • Rear Suspension: Double Wishbone
    • Wheels
    • Front: 16" Aluminum
    • Front Tires: P175/50R16
    • Rear: 16" Aluminum
    • Rear Tires: P175/50R16
    • Trailering & Hauling
    • Trailer Weight: TBD
    • Payload:
    • Tongue Weight: TBD

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