Lotus Elise - The Complete Story

By: John Tipler .

The Lotus Elise is the latest in a long line of charismatic sports cars from the company started by Colin Chapman in 1948, and it embodies many of the features he believed were essential in such a car. It is small, simple, light and responsive, and as a result it handles well and is quick. Starting life as the Project M1-11, since it was Lotus type number 111, conception to launch was achieved inside three years, with the main design and development work to bring the car to production standard being accomplished in just over two years.

The Elise is an engineering triumph, and serves the company well as a showcase for its engineering consultancy, which specializes in the area of handling refinement. Designed by Richard Rackham and Julian Thomson, it pioneers a great deal of new technology. Underneath the classically styled GRP bodywork is an innovative aluminium chassis made of specially designed extrusions that are bonded with epoxy resin and Ejot fasteners. The Elise's mid-mounted drivetrain is the fuel-efficient 1800cc Rover K-series twin- cam unit and five-speed gearbox, capable of delivering 40 miles per gallon as well as storming performance.

Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering gave motoring writer John Tipler full access to the factory and to the personnel who designed and build this car. He has gathered together their accounts of its genesis and manufacturing techniques with his own impressions of driving the car and of seeing it being built. The result is an absorbing book that details the extraordinary story of a car that is clearly destined to become a classic.

Other Details