The Elise Race 250 Is £53k Of Hardcore Lotus

The next-generation Lotus Elise may be well on the way, but that doesn’t mean the ladies and gents and Hethel are done fiddling with the current one. That’s right, we’ve another version of the S3 Elise, to add to a massive list that includes the S, S Cup, CR, Sport 220…you get the idea. The newest one is called the Race 250, and it’s the most hardcore of the lot.

Mounted in the middle is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, with a supercharger giving a potent 243bhp. Lotus hasn’t given any acceleration figures, but expect it to do the 0-62mph sprint in around four seconds. It’s also capable of a 1min 33.5sec lap of Lotus’ Hethel test track - 0.5sec quicker than the Elise Cup 220 R.

Chassis-wise, we’re looking at Nitron adjustable dampers with Eibach springs, an adjustable front anti-roll bar, AP racing front brakes, and a set of forged alloy wheels (16-inch at the front, 17-inch at the rear) shod in sticky Yokohama AO48 boots.

This being the most because racecar Elise around, there is of course a fairly substantial aero kit too. Comprising of a front splitter, side floor extensions, a rear diffuser and rear wing (all available in carbonfibre, if you fancy), it’s good for 66kg of downforce at 100mph and 155kg at the car’s 154mph top whack.

For the really racecar-y bits, you need to take a peek inside. Here you’ll find an FIA-friendly carbonfibre race seat with a six-point harness and a removable steering wheel, plus a roll cage, fire extinguisher and battery isolator switch should things go south.

Like the idea of racing a 250 in one of the many race series its eligible for? That’ll be £53,500, please…