ConvertibleLotus Cars80% by Neofiliac Team85% by External Reviewers

Lotus Elise Series 3

Targa

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Product Overview

Lotus Elise Series 3 is a subcompact targa / convertible sports car in production from 2011 to 2022. It was available with a range of inline-4 engines that displaced 1.6 to 1.8 liters.

Compared to its predecessor, the Elise 3 is but an evolution. The car remains very light and fully focused on handling. New is the introduction of a supercharged engine with outputs well in excess of 200 hp.

Utility-minded owners will likely need to keep an alternative for hauling things around, as the tiny cargo space is almost surely insufficient.

Drivers who appreciate handling will be pleased to know that the Lotus Elise comes with double-wishbone suspensions at all four corners.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 80%

Pros

Very light
Great handling
Much higher output than before
Decent performation

Cons

Somewhat ugly
Only available with small engines
Very little cargo space

What external reviewers found

External score 85%

Pros

Superb handling
Superb infotainment system

Cons

Lack of refinement
Poor cabin quality
Not as fun as a regular Elise
Not the most fun to drive
Pricier than Sport 220
Faulty brake calipers and gear levers

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Specifications

Variants shown:

Elise

Elise CR

Elise Cup 250

Elise Cup 260

Elise Cup R

Elise S

Elise S CR

Elise S Cup

Elise Sport

Elise Sport 220

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100 km/h","Fv":"6.5 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph","Fv":"6.0 sec"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"CO2 Emission","Fv":"149 g/km"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Fuel Economy","Fv":"6.3 L/100km / 37.3 MPG (combined) | 8.3 L/100km / 28.3 MPG (urban) | 5.0 L/100km / 47.0 MPG (highway)"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Top Speed","Fv":"204.0 km/h / 126.8 mph"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Drivetrain Layout","Fv":"Mid-engine (transverse), Rear-wheel drive"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine","Fv":"1ZR-FAE"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Bore","Fv":"80.5 mm / 3.2 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Compression Ratio","Fv":"10.0:1"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Displacement","Fv":"1.8 L / 109.7 cu-in / 1798.0 cc"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Power","Fv":"136.0 hp / 101.4 kW @ 6800 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Specific Output","Fv":"136.8 hp/L / 2.2 hp/cu-in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Stroke","Fv":"88.3 mm / 3.5 in"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Torque","Fv":"160 Nm / 118.0 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Engine | Type","Fv":"Naturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol inline-4 DOHC engine with 4 values per cylinder"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Gears","Fv":"6-speed"},{"Ft":"Powertrain","Fn":"Transmission | Type","Fv":"Manual"},{"Ft":"Production","Fn":"Availability","Fv":"2011 ~ 2017"}],[{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Cargo Capacity","Fv":"112 L / 4.0 cu-ft"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Coolant Capacity","Fv":"4.0 L / 4.2 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Engine Oil Capacity","Fv":"2.4 L / 2.5 qt"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Fuel Capacity","Fv":"40.0 L / 10.6 gal"},{"Ft":"Capacity","Fn":"Passengers","Fv":"2"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Front","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Brakes | Rear","Fv":"Ventilated discs"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Front","Fv":"Double-wishbone"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Suspension | Rear","Fv":"Double-wishbone"},{"Ft":"Chassis","Fn":"Tire Size","Fv":"195/50 R16, 225/45 R17"},{"Ft":"Construction","Fn":"Body Style","Fv":"2-door Convertible"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Ground Clearance","Fv":"130 mm / 5.1 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Height","Fv":"1117 mm / 44.0 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Length","Fv":"3824 mm / 150.6 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Size | Width","Fv":"1719 mm / 67.7 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Front","Fv":"1457.0 mm / 57.4 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Track Width | Rear","Fv":"1507.0 mm / 59.3 in"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Weight","Fv":"931.0 kg / 2052.5 lbs"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheel Size","Fv":"6J x 16, 8J x 17"},{"Ft":"Dimensions","Fn":"Wheelbase","Fv":"2300 mm / 90.6 in"},{"Ft":"Performance","Fn":"Acceleration | 0 - 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External Reviews

autocar^[1]

Reviewer score 90% (normalized by Neofiliac)

Reviewers from autocar have found:

The Lotus Elise was born in 1996, the year Charles and Diana got divorced, Take That split up and Dolly the sheep – the world’s first cloned mammal – was born. There are no fewer than five such ‘Final Edition’ models, three pertaining to the various Exiges that remain on sale. We’re focusing on this one because it uses as its base the now defunct ‘standard’ Sport 220 Elise and comes with a 23bhp power upgrade to reach the 240bhp mentioned in its title.

Pros

Gorgeous styling
Excellent handling
Fantastic handling

Cons

Pricier than Sport 220
Limited number of engines

autoexpress^[2]

Reviewer score 81% (normalized by Neofiliac)

Reviewers from autoexpress have found:

The Elise is one of the few cars on the road with no power steering, which results in a fantastic accuracy and amount of feel through the wheel. Ride quality is pretty good for such a focused car and even the race-orientated Cup model delivers a surprising level of comfort. The Elise is an absolutely tiny car so practicality is very poor, in fact the only load area is just 112 litres. Build quality could do with being slightly better, though.

Pros

Powerful engine
Impressive handling
Superb infotainment system

Cons

No power steering
Poor cabin quality

carmagazine^[3]

Reviewer score 98% (normalized by Neofiliac)

Reviewers from carmagazine have found:

With some heat in the tyres and a perfect launch, this Elise takes off like a prodded grasshopper. Its six-speed manual 'box is perhaps a little agricultural, but shift with conviction and you'll find a selection of ratios that are well matched to the engine. It's a shame that the Elise's supercharged engine still doesn't sound particularly fruity.

Pros

Superb handling
Powerful engine
Impressive handling

Cons

Not the most fun to drive

Also Check

Product ComparisonProducts in ConvertibleProducts by Lotus CarsKeyword dohcKeyword double-wishboneKeyword manual-transmissionKeyword rwdKeyword superchargedKeyword targa

References

^ Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition 2021 UK review. [autocar].
^ Lotus Elise review. [autoexpress].
^ Lotus Elise Cup 250 (2016) review. [carmagazine].

Lotus Elise Series 3

Product Gallery

Product Overview

Ratings

What we found

What external reviewers found

Your rating:

Price Comparison

Specifications

Related Products

External Reviews

autocar[1]

autoexpress[2]

carmagazine[3]

Also Check

References

autocar^[1]

autoexpress^[2]

carmagazine^[3]