Car "Lotus Alice": specifications, description and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Lotus Alice is an English two-seater roadster. This car went on sale back in 1996 and is still in production. This article explores a true legend from the world of sports cars.

Model history

Lotus Cars has been planning the release of this model since 1994. However, the first copies of the car appeared only at the end of 1996. Release delays were due to problems in financing the project, as the company was not in the best sales situation at the time.

Auto received an unusual design for its time and an interesting name. Eliza is the name of the granddaughter of the chairman of the concern. It was in her honor that the decision was made to name the new roadster. In 1995, the car was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The first generation lasted on the assembly line from 1996 to 2000 inclusive.

First Generation

The first generation of Lotus Alice was rather weak, even by the standards of that time. Mediocre engine, poor stability. However, these shortcomings were compensated by the low weight of the car, whichallowed him to perform well on the track. During the release of the first generation, the company introduced several modifications.

In 1998, a limited edition was released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the company. All 50 copies were painted in dark green, and the discs received an ocher color. It is unlikely that at present one can find at least one copy of this anniversary car in Russia. Almost all cars are kept by collectors.

A year later, a new version of the roadster, the 190 Sport, entered the series. Outwardly, the car has not changed, but the creators have tightened its characteristics. Power has increased to 190 horsepower, increased stability, roadster received new brakes and suspension designed specifically for the race track.

In the same year, the second limited series was released - type 49. These cars were created in memory of the representative of the formula 1 from Lotus.

Sport 135 - another reworking of the serial roadster. Slightly changed the parameters of the engine and updated the interior. The rest of the car remained absolutely the same. The next release was called 111S, it received more global changes than its predecessor. Thanks to a change in gas distribution, it was possible to increase the engine power to 143 horsepower. In addition, the creators replaced the standard gearbox with a "short" one. Feedback from the owners of this series is extremely positive. Perhaps this is the best variation of the first generation in the entire 4-year history of the model.

The final version of 2000 was the Lotus Alice160 Sport. This car received a motor with a capacity of 160 horsepower and increased torque. The buyer could choose any body color to his liking to order. As standard, the roadster was sold in either green or metallic black.

Appearance

Throughout the release of the first generation, the car remained virtually unchanged in terms of appearance. The front end looks like a good frog. Wheel arches strongly protrude upwards, two oval headlights flaunt on them. The entire body consists of smooth lines. In the second generation, the creators decided not to deviate from the original and only slightly changed the appearance of the front and rear optics. Read on to find out everything about the second generation Lotus Elise - specifications, description, prices and more.

Second Generation S2

The S2 body appeared in 2000 at the next automobile exhibition. Designers have managed to create a body that remains relevant to the present. By the way, it is in the S2 generation that the car is produced now.

The biggest changes have affected the technical part of the car. The wheels of the car received a little more. It was decided not to change the engine, but to refine it. Thus, the same “old man” accelerated the roadster to 100 km / h in just 5.6 seconds, which at the time of 2000 was almost the best indicator in the world.

The model has grown slightly in size. The wheelbase has remained unchanged, and the model has become longer by almost 60 mm and higher by 50 mm. The creators went to great lengthsin order to increase the speed and acceleration performance of the new generation, therefore, "Alice" reduced the ground clearance from 160 millimeters to 138 millimeters.

Since the release of the first car from a number of the second generation, Lotus Cars has developed and released several limited editions, which currently cost a lot of money. But we will talk about the serial version of the car.

Lotus Elise specifications

The restyled version of the second generation is currently equipped with only one engine - this is a 1.8-liter unit with a capacity of 220 horsepower and acceleration to the coveted hundred in no more than 5 seconds. The consumption of a new car for every 100 kilometers is approximately 7-8 liters of gasoline. All models are equipped with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, which makes the roadster a real entertainment for lovers of extreme driving and drifting.

There is only one Lotus Alice package - the basic one. This is due to the fact that the main audience of this roadster does not need technological bells and whistles and driving comfort at all. People buy this car for the pleasure of driving and the performance that this car has to offer.

The basic package includes light-alloy front and rear wheels, fabric upholstery. For extra money, you can install climate control. This is where the list of amenities in the car ends. And who needs multiple trim levels when you buy an ultra-fast and controllable roadster for the price of a regularbusiness sedan from Korea?

By the way, the Lotus Alice, whose price in rubles is about 3 million, is not officially delivered to Russia in a second-generation restyled form.

Owner Reviews

Lotus Elise is a car that doesn't compromise. To manage it, you will need practice and years of experience driving sports cars. This car is very light and powerful, so it accelerates quickly and behaves aggressively in corners.

Judging by the reviews, "Lotus Alice", whose technical characteristics surprise to this day, is not created for "sissies". While driving, you will be shaken, thrown from side to side. But if you are a real driving enthusiast, then these little things will not affect the overall impression of driving this model.