| Production | 2002–present |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.8 L Rover K-Series I4 1.6 L Toyota 1ZR-FAE I4 1.8 L Toyota 1ZZ-FE I4 1.8 L Toyota 2ZZ-GE I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,300 mm (90.6 in) |
| Length | 3,785 mm (149.0 in) |
| Width | 1,719 mm (67.7 in) |
| Height | 2002–07: 45.0 in (1,143 mm) 2008–present: 1,117 mm (44.0 in) |
| Kerb weight | 860 kg (1,896 lb) 910 kg (2,006 lb) |
| Related | Lotus Exige Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220 Lotus 2-Eleven Lotus Europa S Tesla Roadster |
The Series 1 was unable to be produced beyond the 2000 model production year due to new European regulations around crash sustainability, and so Lotus needed a development partner to meet the investment requirement. General Motors offered to partner/fund the project, in return for a badged and GM-engined version of the car for their European brands, Opel and Vauxhall.
Announced on October 9, 2000, the Series 2 Elise was a redesigned Series 1 using a slightly modified version of the Series 1 chassis to meet the new regulations, and the same K-series engine with a brand new Lotus-developed ECU. The design of the body paid homage to the still-born M250 project, and was the first Lotus to be designed on computer.
Both the Series 2 Elise and the Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX220 were built on the same production line, in a newer facility at Hethel. Both cars shared many parts, including the chassis, although they have different drive-trains and power-plants. The VX220 carried the Lotus internal model identification Lotus 116, with the code name Skipton for the launch 2.2N/A version and Tornado for the 2004 introduced 2.0 L Turbo. Fitted with 17 inch over the Elise's 16 inch front wheels, the Vauxhall/Opel version ceased production in 2004.
Read more about this topic: Lotus Elise
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