The perfect track car

Differentiating it from the Exige, the Elise SC’s suspension has been tuned in keeping with its role as a supremely fast road car, rather than a dedicated track weapon. Throttle response is very progressive, but also very direct, resulting in a measured, refined driving experience.

New, and specific to the Elise SC, is a bespoke wheel design that sees the rear wheels increase in width by almost half an inch to eight inches to give even better grip performance from the standard Lotus specific Yokohama AD07 LTS 225/45 R-17 tyres.

Also showing that the Elise SC is constantly improving is the inclusion of driver and passenger airbags as standard. There is also a new and upgraded instrument panel, the key feature of which will be the “shift indicators”. These are three shift up lights, cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated they flash to indicate that you’re almost on the rev limiter so time to change up a gear!

There is also a new key design which incorporates a "Thatcham approved" alarm / immobiliser system. This, in turn, has enabled a new Lotus design of key that incorporates the controls for the alarm / immobiliser and central locking functions. This upmarket key fob features three buttons, the one which locks the doors and sets the alarm / immobiliser is stylishly crowned with the famous Lotus roundel. The second button unlocks the doors and deactivates the alarm / immobiliser, and the final button is a panic button.

Price is pegged at S$233,800, COE included.

is the last new model that will be seen before the introduction of the hotly anticipated “Project Eagle” at the end of the year. This is said to include 2+2 seating and a V6 of “at least 3.0-litres” and an ease of ingress and egress not seen since the halcyon days of the Lotus Esprit – itself a cult classic.

Credits: Story by M.H Sim, pictures courtesy of EuroSports Auto.