2011 Lotus Elise Gets Smaller 1.6-Liter Engine, 47 MPG (Sort Of)
Lotus first showed the updated styling of the 2011 Elise model at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, but now the company has released some big powertrain changes and impressive new fuel economy numbers. Gone is the old 1.8-liter 4-cylinder in favor of a 1ZR-FAE 1.6-liter Toyota engine with Valvematic and Dual VVT-I. It makes 134-hp and 118 ft-lbs of torque and when paired to a six-speed manual transmission can hit 62-mph in 6.5 seconds – due mostly to the car’s incredibly low curb weight of just 1,930 lbs..
Thanks to the new engine, light weight and some aerodynamic tweaks for 2011, Lotus claims the new Elise can get 56.1 mpg (46.7 mpg U.S.). That number, however, is on the European test cycle, which is far more generous than the EPA numbers here in the U.S. And with just 149 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, Lotus claims the new Elise is the least polluting gasoline sports car in the world.
We’ve contacted Lotus Cars USA to see if the North American Elise will also be getting the new, smaller 1.6-liter engine and will report back as soon as we know.
[*UPDATE*] According to Lotus Cars USA PR Head Kevin Smith the North American-spec Elise will continue to use the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder in the 2010 model [*UPDATE*]
GALLERY: 2011 Lotus Elise
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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The Elise is a SPORTS CAR! They think making the car get better mileage, with reducing the performance is going to entice buyers. I don't think so. It looks fast, make it fast, not better mileage.