LOTUS are lining up a spiritual successor to the iconic Elise sports car – but fans may have to wait a little while before it’s released.
The iconic lightweight motor, which was first produced in 1996 and ran all the way through to 2021, is adored by petrolheads for being like a pocket-sized supercar – designed to be small, nimble, and tons of fun.
The famous Norfolk-based manufacturer’s upcoming project – internally dubbed the ‘Type 135’ – is supposely a car that shares the Elise’s philosophy.
That means it should be a fun, lightweight set of wheels with race car handling.
However, Lotus – much like virtually all other big car brands operating in 2024 – want their upcoming releases to be fully electric.
Only a handful of top brands have released mass produced smaller-sized EV sports cars so far – including MG with their recent Cyberster and even Tesla with their 2011 Roadster.
Lotus’ first electric cars – the Emeya saloon and Eletre SUV – are both much larger than their petrol-powered cars of past and present.
Indeed, the Eletre is a large, heavy SUV that’s a far-cry from the light, nimble sports cars they’re known for.
To that end, most performance EVs are heavy with a bulkier frame, much like Maserati with the GranTurismo Folgore and Porsche with the Taycan.
It seems Lotus believe the current battery tech used for EVs hasn’t advanced enough for them to feasibly create a successor to the Elise.
Lotus’ long-awaited electric sports car was due to go on sale in 2027, and Autocar have claimed it would have a price-tag of around £75,000.
But now it seems the project will be pushed back further until a time comes when smaller, lighter EV batteries become available.
As reported by Autocar, Lotus Group design boss Ben Payne has hinted that they may hold back until next-gen EV technology progresses.
He said: “The technology right now does not really allow you to recreate that product in a convincing way.
“The archetype of the moment is the larger, higher product, because you can very simplistically package the required technical elements into that size of vehicle more easily.”
Payne described the modern classic Elise “as fun to drive, super-engaging, very connected – just an utterly appealing driver’s product” and added that the Elise is “the go-to touchpoint for Lotus”.
Despite the project’s current difficulties, Payne refused to confirm whether the motor’s planned 2027 launch could be delayed and said it would be “100%” possible to have the car ready by 2027, but “you need to look at the business level factors on top of that. It’s a difficult job.”
He added: “These things need to dovetail in the right way.”
By Michael Golson
The Lotus Elise is the purists’ modern classic; a small, affordable, super-light sports car that became a motoring icon.
Named after Elisa, the granddaughter of Romano Artioli – the then chairman of Lotus – the Elise was developed as a successor to the Lotus Elan, itself a light, two-seater convertible that was true to Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s philosophy of achieving performance through low weight.
First released in 1996, the Elise had a list price of just £18,995 – making it an accessible entry point into sports car ownership. The Series 1 Elise, or better known as the Elise S1, was followed by the Elise S2 in 2000, and then the S3 in 2010.
In April, car expert James Russell, who runs specialist dealership The Motor Grid, told us that the S2 Elise is the quintessential modern classic.
He said: “It pops into my brain I think because they were so iconic in their era.
“And now they’re snowballing into excellence, I think they are so underappreciated, particularly if you want to get a decent 111S.
“There’s nothing better, it’s like being inside a mini Le Mans car – you’ve got that wonderful wrap-around screen, single wiper blade.
“You’re sitting in this thing and you feel like you’re sitting on the tarmac.”
The 111S model, which came out in 2002, packed plenty of punch with 156 bhp helping it top 130 mph and reach 0-60 mph in five seconds.
For what it’s worth, fans across social media have reacted somehat positively to this possible delay.
One wrote: “Sensible, otherwise they’ll just be recreating the first (and only) generation Tesla Roadster.”
Another wrote: “Probably the only right thing to do.”
And a third simply said: “Good decision!”
This come just weeks after Honda revealed plans for sporty model with a nameplate they discontinued 23 years ago – with an elegant new look.
And elsewhere, a car expert has picked out an incredible 167mph grand tourer from a surprising brand that’s really great value for money.
