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Born in the late 1990s, the Lotus Elise emerged as a compact, two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car that marked Lotus' return to the small sports car segment.
Thanks to its three generations of lightweight, fun-to-drive vehicles, the Elise is the best-selling model in the brand's history. Its name is a tribute to Romano Artioli's granddaughter, the company's president at the time.
As is typical of Lotus, there's a vast array of versions and special editions. This particular model is a third-generation, or S3, Elise Cup 250 Final Edition, boasting 243 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque from a Toyota Auris four-cylinder engine. To further lighten this already featherweight car, Lotus incorporated a lithium-ion battery, 10kg lighter than its predecessor, carbon fiber-backed seats shedding another 6kg, and ultra-lightweight alloy wheels contributing a 1.5kg weight reduction. Tipping the scales at a mere 931kg, the Lotus Elise Cup 250 is a true featherweight, gaining both power and agility to become the perfect track day companion.