Lotus eyes Elise track car for Downunder market

November 18, 2013 by Alastair Sloane

Lotus Elise S Cup R ... track-only car

Lotus distributor European Automotive Imports is looking at bringing into New Zealand and Australia the Elise S Cup R, one of the many track-only racers that compete in the famous British brand’s international series.

EAI, one of ex-pat New Zealand businessman Neville Crichton’s companies, is talking to Lotus HQ about the availability of the Cup R Elise for events on both sides of the Tasman.

A company spokesman said it would talk to people and teams that already race Lotus cars Downunder before making a decision.

The Elise S Cup R costs around 47,000 pounds sterling ($NZ90,000) in Britain and $US66,000 in the United States.

Lotus Auckland and its line-up of Elise, Exige S and Evora models recently opened for business dgfev online casino in Newmarket.

The Elise S Cup R is based on the Elise S road car and follows on from the Exige V6 Cup and its hardcore sibling the Exige V6 Cup R, racers adorned with the Lotus magic for motorsport and track days.

The Elise S Cup R is powered by a Toyota-sourced supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 162kW and 242Nm to the rear wheels via six-speed manual gearbox.

The Elise S uses the same boosted engine but Lotus says the Cup R car laps the 5km test track four seconds quicker, thanks to aerodynamic aids that include a front splitter, rear diffuser, floor extensions, and a new rear wing.

Other enhancements include a race harness and driver’s seat, motorsport-tuned ECU, an FIA compliant rollcage and fire extinguisher, and new forged wheels.

Lotus also says that, despite the extra equipment, the Cup R racer weighs in at 924kg, the same as the standard Elise S.

The Cup R Elise is eligible for the 2014 Lotus Cup series which runs in the UK, Europe, Italy, USA, Japan, Thailand, China. It is open to all Lotus owners and their Elise, Exige, 340R, and 2-Eleven cars.

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