Geneva motor show 2010: Lotus Elise

This is Lotus’s revised Elise, which promises a significant cut in CO2 emissions, improved fuel economy and styling more in line with that of its Evora stablemate.

The facelifted Elise has a wider stance thanks to its new front bumper, splitter and clamshell. It has a repositioned front light cluster featuring LED daytime running lights for the first time, and the Elise’s signature Lotus ‘mouth’ has been widened. At the rear, it gets a new bumper and engine cover.

See the official new Lotus Elise pics

These styling tweaks mean the Elise has received a four per cent reduction in drag, helping fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Emissions in the new entry-level 1.6-litre S model, the first time a 1.6 has appeared in an Elise, have been cut by 13 per cent to 155g/km over the previous entry-level model. The 192bhp 1.8-litre R and the supercharged 217bhp SC now emit 196g/km and 199g/km of CO2 respectively.

Engine efficiency and performance have been optimised in the Toyota-sourced 1.6 powerplant through Valvematic and Dual VVT-i tech. A new six-speed, close-ratio gearbox has also been introduced; it’s fitted to all variants.

Other additions to the options list include two types of lightweight forged alloy wheels, and cruise control.

Prices will be revealed next month ahead of the car arriving in UK showrooms from April, but they’re unlikely to start much above the £26,550 of the current S.

Mark Tisshaw

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