Photo: Lotus
Lotus was once much more than a maker of niche vehicles. The machines they built competed at the highest levels of motorsport, at times with incredible results.
Big names like those of Emerson Fittipaldi, Graham Hill, and Sir Stirling Moss have been in some way tied to Lotus.
Honoring these men and their achievements is the reason why Lotus decided to release not one or two, but four special versions of the Elise, each dedicated to important moments for the brand in motorsport.
Officially called the Elise Classic Heritage Editions, all are based on the Elise Sport 220 and feature not only unique appointments, but also special liveries dedicated to racing.
The first Heritage Elise, painted in red, white and gold, is a tribute to the Type 49B raced by Graham Hill in 1968. The second comes in blue, red and silver, just like the Lotus Type 81 driven by Nigel Mansell, Elio de Angelis and Mario Andretti did back in 1980.
The third is blue and white, reminiscent of the Type 18 of 1960 that became the first Lotus to get a Formula 1 pole position and victory at the hands of Sir Stirling Moss. Last but not least, a black and gold Elise is there to honor Emerson Fittipaldi’s five victories in the 1972 Formula 1 season.
There will not be that many special editions Elise made, though. Just 100 will leave Lotus’ assembly facility, each with its own numbered build plaque on the dashboard, and each priced the same, at £46,250 (€47,848).
That price is £6,350 more than a standard Elise Cup 220, but includes £11,735-worth of equipment that would otherwise have been offered as options: air-conditioning, cruise control, forged alloy wheels, and black carpet with floor mats, among others.
“Motorsport success has been at the heart of the Lotus philosophy for more than seven decades, and the Elise is our iconic roadster known around the world for its exceptional ‘For The Drivers’ performance,” said in a statement Ema Forster, Lotus Head of Product Marketing.
“What better way to celebrate than by bringing these two pillars of our brand together, launching four new Classic Heritage cars which fans will instantly recognize?”
The Elise Classic Heritage Editions are already on sale.
Honoring these men and their achievements is the reason why Lotus decided to release not one or two, but four special versions of the Elise, each dedicated to important moments for the brand in motorsport.
Officially called the Elise Classic Heritage Editions, all are based on the Elise Sport 220 and feature not only unique appointments, but also special liveries dedicated to racing.
The first Heritage Elise, painted in red, white and gold, is a tribute to the Type 49B raced by Graham Hill in 1968. The second comes in blue, red and silver, just like the Lotus Type 81 driven by Nigel Mansell, Elio de Angelis and Mario Andretti did back in 1980.
The third is blue and white, reminiscent of the Type 18 of 1960 that became the first Lotus to get a Formula 1 pole position and victory at the hands of Sir Stirling Moss. Last but not least, a black and gold Elise is there to honor Emerson Fittipaldi’s five victories in the 1972 Formula 1 season.
There will not be that many special editions Elise made, though. Just 100 will leave Lotus’ assembly facility, each with its own numbered build plaque on the dashboard, and each priced the same, at £46,250 (€47,848).
That price is £6,350 more than a standard Elise Cup 220, but includes £11,735-worth of equipment that would otherwise have been offered as options: air-conditioning, cruise control, forged alloy wheels, and black carpet with floor mats, among others.
“Motorsport success has been at the heart of the Lotus philosophy for more than seven decades, and the Elise is our iconic roadster known around the world for its exceptional ‘For The Drivers’ performance,” said in a statement Ema Forster, Lotus Head of Product Marketing.
“What better way to celebrate than by bringing these two pillars of our brand together, launching four new Classic Heritage cars which fans will instantly recognize?”
The Elise Classic Heritage Editions are already on sale.
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