Lotus Elise Series 1 1.8 i 16V 111S (146 Hp)


Overall Rating

7 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.0 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 4.8 / 5
Comfort 1.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Lotus Elise:

The Lotus Elise GT1 is a race car developed for grand tourer-style sports car racing starting in 1997.
Lotus Cars had previously been using the Lotus Esprit GT1—a racing version of their Lotus Esprit road car—in the BPR Global GT Series since its foundation in 1994, competing in the premier GT1 class against the likes of the McLaren F1 GTR, Venturi 600LM, Ferrari F40 GTE and others. However, in 1997, the series came to be known as the FIA GT Championship and manufacturer involvement was increased with the new international exposure. Porsche was the first to start a new breed of racing cars in 1996, with their purpose-built homologation special known as the 911 GT1. This was quickly followed by the announcement that Mercedes-Benz planned to do the same with their CLK GTR for 1997....(Read more on Wikipedia)

Series 1 Overview:

Lotus Elise (Series 1). With 174 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~9.6 l/100km). Weighing only 770 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is excellent (0–100 km/h in 5.4 s). The top speed reaches 213 km/h. A two-seater convertible designed for open-top driving pleasure. Seating for 2 makes it ideal for daily use.

1.8 i 16V 111S (146 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 5 stars

Performance Verdict

The 111S trim elevates the Elise's performance with 146 Hp, offering sharper acceleration (0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds) and an even more thrilling power delivery, perfect for track enthusiasts seeking more urgency.

Fuel Economy

While slightly more powerful, the 111S maintains reasonable fuel efficiency, comparable to the base model under similar driving conditions, though spirited driving will naturally increase consumption.

Best Use Case: Dedicated Track Use / High-Performance Road Driving

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Unrivaled handling and steering feel
  • • Extremely lightweight and agile chassis
  • • Pure, unfiltered driving experience
  • • Iconic design and classic status
  • • Strong performance-to-weight ratio

Cons:

  • • Minimal comfort and practicality
  • • Known K-series head gasket issues (can be mitigated)
  • • Challenging ingress/egress
  • • Limited luggage space
  • • Basic interior amenities

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Series 1: 1995 - 2000).

General:
Brand:Lotus
Model:Elise
Generation:Series 1
Modification (Engine):1.8 i 16V 111S (146 Hp)
Start of production:1997
End of production:2000
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Roadster
Seats:2
Doors:2
Engine:
Power:146 Hp @ 7000 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:81.3 Hp/l [8mm more]
Torque:174 Nm @ 4500 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:K16 (18K4K) More details about the engine K16 (18K4K)
Engine displacement:1796
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:4
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine oil capacity:4.5 l
Coolant:8 l
Engine layout:Middle, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:80 mm mm
Piston Stroke:89.3 mm mm
Compression ratio:10.5:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:9.6 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:5.9 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:5.4 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:5.4 sec
Maximum speed:213 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:5.3 kg/Hp, 189.6 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:4.4 kg/Nm, 226 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:5.38 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:770
Max. weight:1010
Max load:240
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:210 l
Fuel tank capacity:40 l
Size:
Length:3734 mm mm [8mm more]
Width:1701 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:1202 mm mm [Same height.]
Wheelbase:2300 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1440 mm
Rear (Back) track:1453 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Tires size185/55 R16; 225/45 R16
Wheel rims size16
Front suspensionCoil spring
Rear suspensionCoil spring

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