Lotus Gets Charged Up

Getting a boost in the Lotus lineup is the superlight Elise sports car. Called the Elise SC, it is fitted with a supercharged version of the Toyota 1.8-liter engine that was displayed for the first time.

A newly developed unit for the Elise, this isn't simply a duplicate of the supercharged powerplant in the Exige. Much of the supercharger design is new, but the biggest difference is the lack of an intercooler, for which there was no space in the Elise's small engine compartment. Despite that, at 220PS (217 hp), it's only 20PS (19 hp) short of the Exige unit's output, and can still get the 903-kg (1987 lbs) Elise to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Thanks to that typical Lotus lightness, it's also capable of 31 mpg.

Externally, the Elise SC is distinguished from standard Elises by its new trunk spoiler and unique alloy wheels. Other aspects of the car, such as the throttle response and suspension set-up are optimized to make the Elise SC more pleasant to drive on the open road.

But if what you really want is not a road car but a supreme track car, then Lotus has the answer in form of the 2-Eleven, which also makes its Japanese premiere. This no-frills racer is more demanding and rewarding for the track-day enthusiast. In this installation, the supercharged Toyota engine gets 252PS (248 hp) for a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds.

Also on display was the Europa S LX, the Lotus for customers who need just a touch more practicality that the Elise, with its lunchbox-size luggage compartment, can manage.

A simplification of the option packages range, new instrument panels, and standard airbags are among other upgrades and revisions for the company's 2008 model year range.

Meanwhile, for the more well-heeled client, Lotus plans to add an upscale supercar-class model as a successor to the temperamental but much lusted-after Esprit of the 1970s and 1980s. Expect to see it in around 12-18 months from now.