Preview: Lotus Elise S Cup R

Reviews I By John Beltz Snyder I November 13, 2013
This is the Master Landing Page for the Lotus Elise S Cup R. From now on, as we further review this car, we will be updating this page with whatever fresh content we create. Future drive reviews, updated specifications, videos, and other relevant information will all be found right here, in one convenient spot.
 
SUMMARY
 
Lotus has announced its newest track toy, and it will be available to racers in the US. The Lotus Elise S Cup R in the 2014 Lotus Cup one-make race series in various countries throughout the world.
 
The Lotus Elise S Cup R, while not road legal, is designed as an outright racecar. It uses a supercharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine good for 217 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Power is put to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. It weighs just 2037 pounds.
 
This Lotus is ready to race, with an FIA-compliant roll cage and fire extinguisher, six-point race harness, HANS-compliant driver’s seat, tow eyes, , battery isolator, and removable steering wheel.
 
For optimum performance, it has a motorsport-tuned ECU, TCA sport suspension with one-way adjustable dampers, upgraded brake pads, forged allow wheels, and Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 LTS tires. It also features a body kit with significant aerodynamic features for downforce and stability.
 
The Lotus Elise S Cup R sells in the UK for £39,125, the current equivalent of about $62725.
 
Scroll down for more details and specifications in the press release, below.
 
Lotus Motorsport announces latest addition to its racing portfolio; The Lotus Elise S Cup R
 
Following the success of the Exige V6 Cup and its hardcore sibling the Exige V6 Cup R, the Lotus Elise S is adorned with the Lotus Motorsport magic to present the track-only Elise S Cup R.
 
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. Priced at £39,125 + VAT and boasting bespoke livery and aerodynamic body kit, the Elise S Cup R showcases the marriage of form and function perfectly so that performance is optimised yet retains its stylish and iconic aesthetic.
 
Performance is enhanced over the road-going Elise S thanks to a motorsport-specific engine control module (ECM) and a CFD proved aero pack comprising; front splitter, barge boards, winglets, rear diffuser, floor extensions and rear wing. Despite the extra body kit and race-ready additions, Lotus Motorsport manages to maintain the road car’s light weight of just 924 kg. These modifications and the clever 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 Lotus S Elise Cup R is 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 make a statement on some of the best tracks in the world, the Elise S Cup R has a selection of bespoke colour and trim options courtesy of the Lotus Design team.
 
The Elise S Cup R at a glance:
 
Enhancements:
 
FIA Compliant Rollcage ( As previous Cup versions)
FIA Compliant Fire Extinguisher
Motorsport Mapped ECU
Electronic Battery Isolator
6 Point Race Harness (Driver Seat)
Hans Compliant Race Driver’s Seat
Track Specification Front Tow Eyes
Quick Release Steering Wheel
Body Kit
Brake Pad Upgrade
Single way adjustable Dampers
Hardtop
Motorsport specification triple-pass radiator
Polycarbonate Rear Screen
Forged Alloy Wheels
 
Options:
 
FIA Fuel Cell
Air Conditioning
Race Passenger Seat (with 4 point race harness fitted)
Ultra-lightweight Motorsport Wheels
 
Powertrain: All alloy, 1.8 litre DOHC 4 cylinder, dual VVT-i, 16 valve with Magnuson R900 supercharger utilising Eaton TVS™ technology;
 
Power: 217 hp / 220 PS / 162 kW
 
Torque: 181 lbft / 250 Nm
 
Transmission: 6-speed manual gear box as standard
 
Suspension: Up Rated TCA Kit
 
Brakes: Twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy front brake calipers. Single-piston sliding rear brake calipers. 288 mm diameter, 26 mm thick front and rear cast-iron crossdrilled & ventilated brake discs
 
Wheels: Forged Alloy
 
Tyres: Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 LTS tyres F: 175/ 55 R16 & R: 225/ 45 R17
 
Safety systems: Lotus ABS/ EDL

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