The first shipment of Elise 111R cars arrived in January 2004, even before the UK dealers received their first stocks.

This remarkable result is indicative of the support Lotus Cars Australia is receiving from the Lotus factory in the UK, making it possible for Australians to buy this new model as it is launched!

The Elise 111R replaces the current Elise 111S in Australia, even though this model continues in other markets and can be specially ordered if required.

Pricing of the two models would however be similar and as outlined below, the Elise 111R offers considerably more in terms of performance and specification.

In short, the Elise 111R is 22% more powerful than the Elise 111S, and it is fitted with a track tuned ABS system for the first time on an Elise. It is available in two variants.

Detailed differences over the current 1.8 litre Elise 111S are as follows:

141 kW (189 bhp) Toyota VVTL - i engine, versus 116 kW Rover VVC (156 bhp)

6-speed manual gearbox, versus 5-speed manual gearbox

0 – 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds versus 5.3 seconds

0 – 160 km/h in 13.0 seconds versus 14.0 seconds

Top speed 240 km/h versus 210 km/h

Track tuned ABS braking system now standard

Modified front access panel and grille

Central twin exhaust pipes and a revised 3-element rear diffuser

Features carried over from the Elise 111S include:

Blaupunkt Lausanne - Radio, CD-R/W compatible

Air-conditioning

Central locking

8-spoke wheels

Perforated leather steering wheel with glove center

Immobiliser and remote alarm

In summary, it is a significantly more powerful car, with ABS as standard for a recommended retail price of $94,990!

This is $5000 less than the price of the Elise 111S!

It does however lose a few features, that were standard on the Elise 111S. These are:

Driving lights, which are now optional

Half leather interior trim pack, in place of full leather or Alcantara

Carpet mats with footrest, instead of full carpet, which is optional

Electric windows, now optional

No noise insulation kit

For those who want a higher level of specification, there is also a Touring Pack option for this model, comprising of the following items:

Noise Insulation Pack, with thermal and noise insulated roof

Auxiliary driving lights

Full carpet

Leather or Alcantara interior; seats and door trims

Electric window operation

Stowage net

Upgraded Blaupunkt Woodstock radio CD

All these items are offered at a special Touring Pack Price of $5000.

This means that with the Touring Pack, the Elise 111R is priced at $99 990, the same price as the outgoing Elise 111S.

Lotus Exige

Like with the Elise 111R, Australia is also the first market in the world to receive the exciting new Lotus Exige. Production starts in February and the first shipment is expected to arrive by the end of March 2004. Full details will be released shortly, but Lotus dealers are currently taking orders for this new flagship model. The standard Exige is priced at $99,990. There are two Option Packs available, Touring or Performance, either of which is priced at $7000.

Lotus Elise S

Whereas the new Elise 111R is the new flagship of the Elise range, the much admired Elise S and Elise models continue. The new Elise S, announced at $84,990 in September, has been well received in the market. The Elise S is an important ongoing model and to make it even more attractive, revised ex-factory pricing and the improving strength of the Australian Dollar versus the Pound, has allowed for the price of the Elise S to be reduced by $5000, to $79,990.

Lotus Sport 111

The Sport 111 might be described as an open top version of the Exige. In that sense, it has particular appeal for those who wish to use their car in some forms of motorsport. Whilst it is not quite as fast in a straight line as either the Elise 111R or the Exige, it does have the advantage of the adjustable sports suspension being standard and the super sticky  special compound Yokohama LTS AO48 tyres make for spectacular cornering and braking grip. The Sport 111 remains available in the Lotus range, priced at $99,990.

3rd February, 2004

Late news: $5,000 slashed from the price of the Lotus Elise. The new finely honed price is just $69,990 for the entry level Lotus Elise.