This last hurrah is more powerful and includes the longest list ever of equipment for the Elise or Exige.
Lotus is a master at playing the special edition game better than any other automotive company. Even better than Bugatti, which has its endless number of special Veyron and Chiron models. It’s no surprise that the Exige and Elise are on the horizon. The Final Edition will feature the two lightweight sports cars.
The Elise Final Edition is the last hurrah. The Exige Final Edition is the same as the original Elise, but with more interior and exterior features.
You can choose from a variety of “iconic colour schemes” that will bring back the old days. For example, the Azure Blue was used nearly a quarter century ago when Lotus first released images of the production Elise. Racing Green is a nod towards the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show showcar, while Black is a throwback the Autobytel Lotus Elise Championship race racing series.
The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition replaces the Elise Sport 220. It packs 23 more horsepower and 240 hp from the supercharged 1.8 liter engine. The engine produces 244 Newton-meters (180 pounds-feet), and it takes just 4.1 seconds from standstill to reach 60 mph (96 km/h). The new shiny 10-spoke anthracite wheels weigh half as much as its predecessor and can be combined with optional carbon fiber panels to make it lighter.
The Elise Cup 250 Final Edition will offer aerodynamic tweaks and a variety of standard goodies like Bilstein sport dampers or adjustable anti-roll bars. You can also get this one with optional carbon fiber options. This will reduce the weight to 931 kilograms (2.052 pounds), before fuel is added.
The Exige’s hardcore Exige lineup includes the Sport 390, Sport 420 and Cup 430 models. All of these models have new equipment, wheel designs and paint options. All Final Edition cars come with a plaque that marks the end of the road for the Lotus. They share a Toyota-designed 3.5-liter V6 engine.
The Exige Sport 390 replaces the 350 model. It has 47 horsepower, making it a total of 397 horsepower. The car weighs in at 1,138 kg (2 508 lbs) and can sprint at 172 mph (277 km/h).
The Exige Sport 420 replaces the Sport 410, and adds 10 hp to make it the fastest Exige ever. The Exige Sport 420 sports car, which weighs in at 1,110 kg (2.447 lbs), can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3.3 seconds. It is capable of reaching 180 mph (290 km/h). Standard equipment includes adjustable front and back Eibach anti-roll bars, as well as AP Racing brakes with forged four-piston calipers.
The Exige Cup 430 Final Edition has 430 hp and a 3.2 second sprint. It also boasts a top speed of 174 mph. Thanks to numerous carbon fiber body panels, and ultra-lightweight wheels measuring just 17 inches at each end for the front and 18 inches at the back, it weighs in at 1,110 kilograms (2.4447 lbs).
Lotus also announced that the Evora will be getting a special edition to commemorate the model’s end. It will join the Elise/Exige at the end of the year after a combined production run totaling approximately 55,000 cars.