Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise: generations: what actually changed when you pick a year

Lotus Elise was sold as a Roadster in three generations: 1 generation (1995–2000, 5 versions), 2 generation (2000–2010, 4 versions), and 2 generation, restyling (2010–2021, 7 versions). Restyling is the same second generation with a later spec set, not a third family.

Lotus Elise was sold as a Roadster in three generations: 1 generation (1995–2000, 5 versions), 2 generation (2000–2010, 4 versions), and 2 generation, restyling (2010–2021, 7 versions). Restyling is the same second generation with a later spec set, not a third family.

Pick 1 generation if you want the smallest tank (36 L on every version) and the lowest kerb weights in the model: 670 kg on 1.8 MT 192 hp, 690 kg on 1.8 MT 120 hp. Ground clearance is 160 mm. Gearboxes are Manual 5 on all five versions. Boost is No on all five. Drive is RWD except one outlier: 1.8 MT 146 hp (107 kW) is FWD. Gross weight is 940 kg on the 120 hp car and 1010 kg on the other four. Wheel sizes, where measured, are 185/55 R16 with 205/50 R16, or 185/55 R15 with 205/50 R16; on 1.8 MT 146 hp FWD wheels are not measured.

Pick 2 generation (2000–2010) if you want a 38 L tank (+2 L versus 1 generation), still 160 mm clearance, and a spread of naturally aspirated 1.8 MT cars from 122 hp to 192 hp. Front brakes are Disc, rear Disc ventilated. Three versions stay Manual 5; only 1.8 MT 192 hp is Manual 6. Gross weight is 940 kg except 1.8 MT 160 hp at 990 kg. That 160 hp car is also the only Elise in the whole catalogue specified for 98 fuel; every other version is 95.

Pick 2 generation, restyling (2010–2021) if you want a 48 L tank (+10 L versus 2 generation, +12 L versus 1 generation), 130 mm clearance (−30 mm versus both earlier generations), Manual 6 and RWD on all seven versions, and Ventilated disc brakes at both ends. This is the only generation with Compressor boost (six of seven versions) and the only generation with a Euro 6 label (three versions). Kerb weight jumps: the lightest restyling car is 1.8 MT 220 hp Euro 6 at 851 kg, which is already 181 kg heavier than the 670 kg 1.8 MT 192 hp cars of the two earlier generations.

Engine options and specs: same name, different cars

Almost every Elise is 1.8 MT. Distinguish them by hp. Fuel type is Gasoline, cylinders 4, layout Inline, valves per cylinder 4, engine location Central, gearbox Manual, on every version. Boost is No until restyling, then Compressor except 1.6 MT.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres) shows what the extra output actually costs in specific output. Restyling 1.8 MT 253 hp is 141.0 hp/L. Restyling 1.8 MT Cup 250 is 138.2 hp/L. Restyling 1.8 MT 246 hp is 137.1 hp/L. Restyling 1.8 MT Sport 240 is 135.5 hp/L. Restyling 1.8 MT 220 hp (both kerb weights) is 122.6 hp/L. The 2 generation 1.8 MT 192 hp is 107.0 hp/L with No boost. Restyling 1.6 MT 136 hp is 85.1 hp/L. 2 generation 1.8 MT 122 hp is 68.0 hp/L — the lowest specific output in the catalogue.

Compression ratio and bore × stroke are measured only on 1 generation and 2 generation, not on restyling (not measured on all seven later cars). 2 generation 1.8 MT 192 hp is the outlier at 11.5 and 82 × 85; 2 generation 1.8 MT 136 hp is 10.5 and 80 × 89.3; 2 generation 1.8 MT 122 hp and 160 hp are 10 and 79 × 91.5. All five 1 generation cars are 10.5 and 80 × 89.3 except displacement 1796 cc on the FWD 1.8 MT 146 hp.

Performance, mpg, and 0–100: what the extra hp buys

0–100 km/h and top speed are measured on every version. Fuel use is not.

The restyling ladder is arithmetic, not marketing. 1.6 MT 136 hp: 6.5 s, 204 km/h. Step to 1.8 MT 220 hp (924 kg): 4.6 s (−1.9 s) and 234 km/h (+30 km/h) for +84 hp and +48 kg. The other 1.8 MT 220 hp (851 kg, Euro 6) is 4.5 s at the same 234 km/h: 73 kg less than its twin buys 0.1 s. 1.8 MT 246 hp: 4.3 s, 248 km/h — tied for the highest top speed in the model. 1.8 MT 253 hp: 4.2 s (quickest Elise measured) but 243 km/h, 5 km/h slower than the 246 hp car. 1.8 MT Sport 240 (sold only 2021-02-01 to 2021-12-31): 4.5 s, 243 km/h, 243 hp — same 4.5 s as the light 220 hp car despite +23 hp, because it weighs 922 kg versus 851 kg. 1.8 MT Cup 250 (same 2021 window): 4.3 s, 248 km/h, 248 hp, 932 kg — same sprint as the 246 hp car, same 248 km/h top speed.

Against 2 generation, the restyling 1.6 is slower than every earlier Elise: 2 generation 1.8 MT 122 hp and 136 hp both do 5.7 s / 200 km/h at 755–756 kg. Same 136 hp, 120 kg more mass on restyling 1.6 MT (876 kg), and 0–100 stretches from 5.7 s to 6.5 s. 2 generation 1.8 MT 160 hp: 5.1 s, 212 km/h. 2 generation 1.8 MT 192 hp: 4.9 s, 220 km/h — still 0.7 s slower than restyling 253 hp, but 192 kg lighter (670 vs 862 kg).

1 generation 1.8 MT 192 hp is the surprise: 4.4 s to 100 km/h at 670 kg, only 0.2 s behind restyling 253 hp, with 61 fewer hp. Its top speed is 210 km/h versus 243 km/h on the 253 hp car. 1 generation 1.8 MT 120 hp is 5.9 s / 202 km/h. Both 146 hp cars (RWD 106 kW and FWD 107 kW) are 5.4 s / 213 km/h. 1 generation 1.8 MT 160 hp matches 2 generation 160 hp on sprint (5.1 s) and top speed (212 km/h).

Weight per horsepower (kg/hp) ranks the cars independently of 0–100. Best (lowest): 1.8 MT 192 hp in 1 generation and in 2 generation, 3.49 kg/hp. Restyling 1.8 MT 253 hp: 3.41 kg/hp — the best ratio in the restyling and in the whole model. Restyling 1.8 MT Cup 250: 3.76. Restyling 1.8 MT 246 hp: 3.78. 1.8 MT Sport 240: 3.79. Light 1.8 MT 220 hp Euro 6: 3.87. Heavy 1.8 MT 220 hp: 4.20. Restyling 1.6 MT: 6.44 — the worst. 2 generation 1.8 MT 122 hp is 6.19, still better than the later 1.6.

Horsepower per tonne of kerb weight: restyling 253 hp reaches 293.5 hp/t; 2 generation and 1 generation 192 hp cars reach 286.6 hp/t; restyling 1.6 is 155.3 hp/t.

Mixed consumption, where measured: restyling 1.6 MT 6.3 L/100 km (city 8.3, highway 5) and 149 g/km CO2 — the lowest CO2 measured. Restyling 220 hp cars: 7.5 mixed (10.3 / 5.9), 173 g/km. 1.8 MT Sport 240 and 1.8 MT Cup 250: 7.8 mixed (11.7 / 6.9), 177 g/km. 2 generation 122 hp: 7.3 mixed (9.4 / 6.2). 2 generation 136 hp: 7.4 mixed (9.4 / 6.15). 1 generation 146 hp RWD: 7.3 (9.9 / 5.9). 1 generation 160 hp: 6.9 (9.4 / 5.5) — the lowest mixed figure among 1.8 cars that have a number. 1 generation 192 hp: 7.2 (9.6 / 5.7). Not measured: restyling 1.8 MT 246 hp (city, highway, mixed, and CO2 all not measured); restyling 1.8 MT 253 hp (city, highway, mixed not measured; CO2 175 g/km); 2 generation 160 hp and 192 hp (all three consumption figures and CO2 not measured); 1 generation 120 hp and FWD 146 hp (consumption and CO2 not measured). Eco class is Euro 6 only on restyling 1.8 MT 220 hp 851 kg, 1.8 MT 253 hp, and 1.8 MT Cup 250; not measured on every other version.

Peak power rpm also splits the buy: restyling 1.6 and both 220 hp cars peak at 6800 rpm; restyling 246, 253, Sport 240, and Cup 250 at 7200 rpm; 2 generation 192 hp at 7800 rpm — the highest in the data; most 120–136 hp cars at 5500 rpm.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Gross weight is not measured on any restyling version. On 2 generation it is 940 kg except 990 kg on 1.8 MT 160 hp. On 1 generation it is 940 kg on 1.8 MT 120 hp and 1010 kg on the other four. Payload implied by gross minus kerb, where both exist: 2 generation 192 hp has 270 kg (940 − 670); 2 generation 122 hp has 185 kg (940 − 755); 1 generation 192 hp has 340 kg (1010 − 670); 1 generation 120 hp has 250 kg (940 − 690).

Ground clearance is 160 mm for all of 1 generation and 2 generation, 130 mm for all of restyling. Tank is 36 / 38 / 48 L by generation, not by version. Wheels on restyling split in two packs: 175/55 R16 with 225/45 R17 on 1.6 MT and both 220 hp cars; 195/50 R16 with 225/45 R17 on 246 hp, 253 hp, Sport 240, and Cup 250. 2 generation 122 hp uses 175/55 R16 and 225/45 R17; 2 generation 136 hp wheels not measured; 2 generation 160 hp uses 185/55 R15 and 225/45 R16; 2 generation 192 hp uses 185/55 R15 and 205/50 R16. Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every Elise.

Which version to choose

Buy restyling 1.8 MT 253 hp if the question is 0–100 km/h and kg per hp: 4.2 s, 253 hp, 265 Nm at 5500 rpm, 862 kg, 3.41 kg/hp, Euro 6, CO2 175 g/km. City, highway, and mixed consumption are not measured. Top speed 243 km/h is 5 km/h below the 246 hp and Cup 250 cars.

Buy restyling 1.8 MT 220 hp 851 kg (Euro 6) if you want Compressor pace without the last 26–33 hp: 4.5 s, 234 km/h, 851 kg, 3.87 kg/hp, mixed 7.5 L/100 km. Versus its 924 kg twin you get −73 kg and −0.1 s for the same 220 hp / 250 Nm. Versus 1.6 MT you pay +84 hp and +2.3 L/100 km mixed to cut 2.0 s off 0–100.

Buy restyling 1.6 MT 136 hp only if mixed consumption and CO2 lead: 6.3 L/100 km, 149 g/km, No boost, Combined injection (direct-distributed). It is the slowest Elise (6.5 s, 204 km/h) and the heaviest per hp (6.44 kg/hp). Compared with 2 generation 1.8 MT 136 hp it is the same horsepower with +120 kg, +0.8 s to 100, a 6-speed instead of 5, a 48 L tank instead of 38 L, and 130 mm clearance instead of 160 mm.

Buy 1.8 MT Cup 250 or 1.8 MT Sport 240 only if the 2021 date window is acceptable (both 2021-02-01 to 2021-12-31). Cup 250: 248 hp, 4.3 s, 248 km/h, 932 kg, Euro 6, mixed 7.8. Sport 240: 243 hp, 4.5 s, 243 km/h, 922 kg, eco class not measured, same 7.8 mixed. Cup 250 versus Sport 240 is +5 hp, −0.2 s, +5 km/h, +10 kg. Neither matches 253 hp on sprint or on kg/hp.

Buy restyling 1.8 MT 246 hp if top speed is the filter: 248 km/h, 4.3 s, 246 hp, 250 Nm from 3500–5000 rpm, 931 kg. Consumption and CO2 are not measured; eco class is not measured. Versus 253 hp you gain 5 km/h and lose 0.1 s and 69 kg of lightness.

Buy 2 generation 1.8 MT 192 hp if weight is the filter: 670 kg, 192 hp at 7800 rpm, 180 Nm at 6800 rpm, Manual 6, 4.9 s, 220 km/h, 3.49 kg/hp, 160 mm clearance, 38 L tank. Consumption and CO2 not measured. Versus restyling 253 hp you give up 0.7 s and 23 km/h to save 192 kg. Compression 11.5 is the highest measured.

Buy 1 generation 1.8 MT 192 hp if the same 670 kg must come with a measured mixed figure: 7.2 L/100 km, 4.4 s (0.5 s faster than the later 192 hp car), 210 km/h, Manual 5, 165 Nm at 3000 rpm, 36 L tank. Versus restyling 253 hp: +0.2 s, −33 km/h, −192 kg.

Buy 2 generation 1.8 MT 160 hp only for 98 fuel and the 990 kg gross (unique in 2 generation). 5.1 s, 212 km/h, 805 kg, consumption not measured. 1 generation 1.8 MT 160 hp matches the sprint and top speed with mixed 6.9 L/100 km measured, 95 fuel, 805 kg, 1010 kg gross.

Skip 1 generation 1.8 MT 146 hp 107 kW unless you specifically want the only FWD Elise. Same 5.4 s / 213 km/h as the RWD 1.8 MT 146 hp 106 kW, same 770 kg, wheels and consumption not measured on the FWD car.

Skip 2 generation 1.8 MT 122 hp and 1 generation 1.8 MT 120 hp unless lowest peak rpm (5500) and a 5-speed matter more than pace: 5.7 s / 200 km/h and 5.9 s / 202 km/h. Both are lighter than any restyling car (755 kg and 690 kg) but restyling 1.6 already undercuts them on mixed consumption when that figure exists.

Reliability, prices, and engine-swap options are not in this dataset; they are not measured here. The version to buy is the one whose measured 0–100, kg/hp, tank, clearance, and boost match the job: 253 hp restyling for the sprint, 192 hp 670 kg for the scale, 1.6 MT restyling for the lowest measured mixed use, light 220 hp Euro 6 for the middle of the Compressor ladder.