Racecar Profile: Lotus Elise S Cup R

Cars, Features I By Winding Road Staff I February 13, 2014
Even in production trim, the Lotus Elise has earned a reputation for outstanding handling characteristics and a very engaging driving experience, which can partially be attributed to its light weight and mid-mounted engine. The race-only Elise S Cup R takes these fundamentals a step further to create a turnkey race car designed for private race teams that’s essentially ready to hit the track right out of the box.
 
The Elise S Cup R marks the first time that the mid-mounted 1.8-liter 22R-FE motor has been used a in Cup variant race car. With a full aero body kit accompaniment including front splitter, winglets, rear diffuser and rear wing, as well as a bespoke livery, the Elise S Cup R certainly looks the business. The improved aerodynamics along with a motorsport-specific ECM and adjustable dampers translates to lap times reduces by 4 seconds per 5km lap over the standard Elise S. Let’s take a closer look at the specifics: 
 
 
Specifications 
Dimensions
Length: 3824 mm / 150.55 inches, Height: 1117 mm / 44 inches, Width (excluding mirrors): 1719 mm / 67.7 inches
Price
£39,125 / ~ $63,000
Wheelbase
2300 mm / 90.55 inches
Engine
Transverse mid-mounted 1.8 litre DOHC 4 cylinder, dual VVT-i, 16 valve with Magnuson R900 supercharger
Weight
Under 900 kg/2205 lbs (depending on configuration)
Exhaust
Sports stainless steel silencer
Max. Power
217 hp / 220 PS / 162 kW at 6800 rpm
Max. Torque
181 lbft / 250 Nm at 4600 rpm
Transmission
6-speed manual with sports ratios
Suspension
One-way adjustable dampers, Eibach coaxial coil springs, sports anti-roll bar
Brakes
Twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy front brake callipers, single-piston sliding rear
 
288 mm diameter, 26 mm thick front and rear cast-iron cross-drilled & ventilated brake discs
Tires/Wheels
Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 LTS tyres F: 175/55 R16 & R: 225/45 R17 / Black, forged alloy 10-spoke
Safety
FIA compliant roll cage
 
HANS compliant racing seat
 
Six-point safety harness
 
FIA compliant fire extinguisher
 
Electrical cut out switch
Miscellaneous
10.5 gallon fuel tank
 
Racing steering wheel
 
Aero/Body Kit Enhancements
 
Motorsport specification triple-pass radiator
 
Motorsport-mapped ECU
 
Options
– 70 liter / 18.6 gallon FIA compliant fuel cell
– Passenger seat with 4-point harness
– Air conditioning
– Cup R paint scheme
– Ultra lightweight forged wheels
  
Services Offered By Manufacturer
 
Eligible Classes
– Lotus Cup Europe / UK / USA / Italy / Thailand / Japan
– Elise Trophy
 
Estimated Cost to Run
 
Lotus tells us that they do not attempt to provide prospective Elise S Cup R owners with estimated running costs because there are too many variables involved. The tracks will the car be run at, what the track session lengths are, how the car being driven, etc. all vary to such a degree that to offer an accurate estimate of running costs for all potential owners is nearly impossible. 
 
Lotus points out that one of the great virtues of their “performance through lightweight” philosophy is that a lighter car does nearly everything better than a heavier car, and that includes stressing all of the cars components; tires, brakes, clutch, gearbox, engine, and so on.
  
Source/Contact 
 
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