Lotus releases Elise Club Racer

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.” - Colin Chapman (1928-1982).  The founder of Lotus and former racing team principal’s slightly less famous quote and company philosophy are evident in the new Elise Club Racer.

Lotus, now owned by Proton, unveiled the Elise club racer at the Geneva Motor Show. “Club” variants of road cars are usually stripped of the things that make them livable daily drivers; the Elise Racer is no exception.  Lotus has removed the sound insulation, fitted lighter wheels and a lighter “motor sport” battery.  They’ve gone so far as to paint the emblems on instead of incurring the penalty of a few ounces for the normal bolt-ons.  The result, about 53 lbs or 24 kilos shaved from the already svelte body, now weighing in at 1879 lbs (852 kilos). 

Lotus did add something besides lightness to the Club Racer. There is now a “Sport” setting on the DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) traction control system.  The new algorithm gives drivers a bit of safety net during track days. The system can be turned off completely for those wishing to work without a net.  Drivers of the new Club Racer will also find a revised suspension with Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs and an adjustable anti-roll bar.

Power continues to come from the Toyota sourced 1.6-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine, making 136 hp & 122 lb/ft of torque.  For those interested in making the Club Racer a track day only special, Lotus offers a Power Pack.  Horsepower is increased to 142, torque remains unchanged.  However, the Pack’s intake & exhaust system are not street legal.

The new Club Racer comes in six colors: Sky Blue, Saffron Yellow, Ardent Red, Aspen White, Matt Black and Carbon Grey. Prices start at €34,450 or £27,500 for this road course weapon. There are currently no plans to export the Club Racer to the US.