Lotus Elise Cup 250 – fastest ever, 200 units per year

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Lighter and faster. That’s what the new Lotus Elise Cup 250 is all about. Hethel has managed to trim 21 kg from the already flyweight Elise, which gains a further 26 hp. The result is a trim 931 kg, 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 248 km/h, making the Cup 250 the fastest road-going Elise ever.

Replacing the Elise Cup 220, the Cup 250’s diet included a lithium-ion battery which slashed 10 kg, carbon fibre seats that are 6 kg lighter, and forged alloy wheels which save a further 1.5 kg. A Carbon Aero Pack (front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser and side floor-extensions) that cuts an extra 10 kg is available. The Cup is available for the first time as a roadster as standard, with a hard top available as an option.

Powered by a new higher-output version of the familiar supercharged 1.8 litre Toyota engine, the Elise Cup 250 boasts 243 hp at 7,200 rpm and 250 Nm of torque between 3,500 and 5,500 rpm. It laps company’s Hethel test track in 1 minute 34 seconds, four seconds off the Cup 220’s best time and the fastest recorded lap time for a production Elise. Six-speed manual, of course.

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Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) provides a Sport mode that increases throttle response, lowers traction slip thresholds and removes understeer recognition, allowing enhanced control before the system intervenes. Wider 195/50 R16 front tyres (rear 225/45 R17) give sharper, more-responsive steering, Lotus says.

The 250 carries over the motorsport-derived suspension and braking components from the Cup 220, including an adjustable front anti-roll bar, Bilstein sports dampers and Eibach co-axial coil springs. AP Racing twin-piston front calipers and Brembo single-piston rear calipers work in conjunction with the track-tuned ABS system and Yokohama AO48 tyres.

Inside, new larger switches with improved haptics have been introduced for the DPM, headlights and rear fog lights, mounted together with the new engine start button. A full Alcantara interior in red or black is standard, with a Leather Pack available. ICE, full carpets and enhanced sound insulation can be specified.

The Elise Cup 250 goes on sale in all major markets except North America from April. The global production run will be limited to 200 units per year.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Mati Katak on Feb 17, 2016 at 10:29 am

    If you bold the same engine to a go-kart… I am sure it will do better. Lotus are go-karts makers not cars

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
    • Dead End on Feb 17, 2016 at 7:08 pm

      Lotus is dead. Better go into car modification industry la

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • VVT-i on Feb 17, 2016 at 11:51 am

    A very powerful output from small Campro 1.8L engine!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 10
  • Fastest ever moving coffin.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
  • Chris Bruce on Feb 17, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    On paper, the Cup 250 could give a Cayman GT4 quite a fight. The Porsche’s 385 hp wins on power, but it weighs significantly more at 2,955 pounds. Those differences translate to a slower 60 mph run of 4.2 seconds but a faster 183-mph top speed.

    Jaguar F-Type SVR could make for interesting competition around a very tight track. A recent leak suggests the new model has over 560 horsepower and a 200-mph top speed, so it would easily win on an open course. On a curvy circuit, the Lotus could be an intriguing challenger.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
  • wow nice… i wud luv to hv 1!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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