Project Kahn Develops Special Edition Lotus Elise

Lotus has joined forces with tuning specialist Project Kahn to create a bespoke version of the Elise to celebrate the British automaker’s 60th Anniversary. Along with the release of a few teaser images, Project Kahn also revealed details on the limited production Elise that will be officially unveiled in September. The exterior of the Elise has been upgraded with an aerodynamic styling package, whilst the interior is given the full Kahn treatment with full leather seats and door trims. In terms of performance, the Elise’s air flow system is enhanced with the addition of the Kahn sports exhaust while the suspension is lowered with 28 stage dampeners for improved handling. -Continued


Via: Autoblog.it

Abarth Rumored to Develop Lotus Elise Based Sports Car

Ever since Fiat re-launched its Abarth brand, we’ve been hearing rumors about a stand-alone sports car that will act as a “halo” car for the Italian brand. Now, British magazine Autocar is reporting that it has learned from credible sources that Fiat has struck a deal with Lotus to use the next generation Elise that’s expected in 2010 as a base for a lightweight sports car with a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. -Continued

The two-seater that is slatted to enter production in 2011 will get its own unique styling along with a range of Fiat sourced engines that could include the 1.4-liter Turbo unit from the Grande Punto Abarth and the 1.8-liter direct-injection Turbo from the new Lancia Delta. (Picture: CarScoop)

Via: Autocar

Lotus Eco Elise Concept with Hemp Body Panels!

Lotus will unveil an environmentally-friendly version of its sporty roadster called Eco Elise at the British Motor Show that opens its doors on July 22. Unlike most eco-friendly propositions of our time, the Eco Elise study doesn’t revolve solely around tailpipe CO2 emissions. Instead, the Brits tried a holistic approach to ecology by using sustainable materials, cleaner manufacturing processes, renewable energy generation and of course, by reducing the car’s weight.

The renewable materials that have been incorporated into the Eco Elis project include hemp (industrial cannabis) that’s used on the car’s composite body panels, spoiler and seats, eco wool for the upholstery and sisal for the carpet. Cleaner manufacturing processes have been achieved by utilizing the latest water based paint technology. As for renewable energy generation, the Eco Elise’s hemp hard top incorporates a set of solar panels that provide power for the car’s electrical systems. -Continued

"Performance through light weight" is synonymous with Lotus, so a reduction in mass was a priority for the company’s engineers. The weight reduction philosophy has even extended to the audio system with a lightweight stereo and speaker system from Alpine that saves an impressive 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). The Eco Elise also uses special lightweight wheels that reduce the unsprung mass and contribute a weight saving of approximately 15.8 kg (34.8 lbs) over the already light Elise wheels.

Overall, the weight saving programme for the Eco Elise has resulted in a total saving of around 32 kg (70.5 lbs) over the feather light Elise S, which consequently reduces the fuel required to drive the car.