Evolving from the 1.6 litre Elise platform, this is the first time the supercharged Elise S’ mid-mounted, transverse, 1.8 litre 2ZR-FE engine has been used in a Cup variant.
The Elise S Cup R’s performance is enhanced over the road-going Elise S owing to a motorsport-specific engine control module (ECM) and a CFD proved aerodynamic pack comprising a front splitter, barge boards, winglets, rear diffuser, floor extensions and rear wing.
Despite the extra body kit and track-focused design additions, Lotus has managed to maintain the road car’s weight of 924 kg. However, these modifications and the manipulation of air-flow to create extra downforce, combined with adjustable damper and springs, reduces lap times by 4 seconds on a 5 km lap over the standard Elise S.
The Cup R edition is also eligible for entry to the production class in the 2014 Lotus Cup series which operates under the banners Lotus Cup UK, Lotus Cup Europe, Lotus Cup Italia, Lotus Cup USA, Lotus Cup Japan, Lotus Cup Thailand, Lotus Cup China and Lotus Ladies Cup. The Lotus Cup is open to all Lotus owners and their Elise, Exige, Evora, 340R and 2-Eleven.
To further differentiate it from other models, the Elise S Cup R has a bespoke livery developed by the Lotus Design team.
Source: Lotus
