2008 Lotus Elise Photos, engines & full specs

Lotus remained true to its beliefs when it refreshed the Elise for the 2008 model year, and besides adding a few neat visual options, it also improved the powertrain.

When Lotus introduced the Elise in 1996, the world was stunned by the car’s lightweight construction. Its chassis weighed just a mere 68 kg (150 lbs). It was the lightest sports car in the world, and that crown remained on the British car’s forehead for years. When the automaker introduced the second generation of the Elise in 2001, the car gained more popularity thanks to its enhanced exterior and improved features. But then, in 2008, the automaker considered that an additional push in the Elise’s image would boost the sales. As a result, the car was upgraded, and besides punchier Toyota-sourced engines that replaced the Rover ones, it was also better in terms of interior and exterior design.

The car’s front showed a broad grille on the lower side of the bumper flanked by a pair of scoops and integrating the fog lamps. Its headlights featured two headlamps, and the turn signals under the same swept-back, teardrop-shaped lens. In addition, the parking lights adorned the upper side of the bumper, just below the deeply sculptured hood that sported two exhaust vents. It is worth mentioning that every scoop and every vent of the car was functional; none of them was just for look.

The Elise has always been a low-profile sports car with a raked windshield and a fixed safety arch behind the cockpit, and the 2008 model followed the same rule. A folding canopy or a rigid, insulated top was also available as standard or an option, depending on the market and version. The C-shaped side scoops that grabbed air and channeled it to the engine were also part of this sportscar charm. At the back, the twin round taillights mounted on the rear panel were fitted with LEDs, and the carmaker’s name was applied with taller lettering than before. Under the bumper, Lotus installed a twin exhaust below the diffuser.

Lotus made the Elise to be a true sports car that could also serve its owners on regular travels. Still, that didn’t mean it was very accessorized. It featured a scarce interior with little to no amenities. Still, for the 2008 model year, the automaker considered installing an upgraded sound system that could also play music from an MP3 player or an iPod and an AC unit that could do its job well when the rigid roof was in place. The sports seats fitted with bolstered areas were narrow and separated by a slim center console, making their occupants rub their elbows. Still, there was a storage area behind the seats for small items. As for the luggage compartment, Lotus installed one behind the mid-mounted engine.

Under the hood, Lotus gradually abandoned the formerly used Rover K-series engines, replacing them with the Toyota-produced 1ZZ and its supercharged version, the 2ZZ powerplants. Europeans got the Elise S with a 136 PS (134 hp) version as the base model, while in the U.S., the entry-level got a 192 PS (189 hp) naturally-aspirated engine. Those willing for more could have the 220 PS (212 hp) supercharged version.