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Lotus

Elise S1

5.9s0–60 MPH
203TOP SPEED KPH
118HORSEPOWER

Notes

The Lotus Elise S1 is a two-door/mid-engine/rear-wheel drive Sports car designed by Julian Thompson and assembled in Norfolk, England, from 1996 to 2001. It comes powered by a 1.8L Rover K-series I4 naturally-aspirated Inline 4 cylinder engine delivering a maximum power of 118 Ps with 165Nm of torque. Combined with a 5-speed manual transmission, this British sportscar goes from 0-60 Mph in just 5.5 seconds, revving to a top speed of 126 Mph. The Lotus Elise S1 pioneered using an extruded aluminum chassis that comes glued together instead of welded, resulting in a reduced weight of only 1540 Lb.

The Lotus Elise S1 is a full-fletched classic roadster by all means. It comes out of the factory with Falken Ziex ZE912 185/55R15 tires on the front and 205/50R16 on the back, supported by independent, double-wishbones, coil springs, an anti-roll bar, suspension system, and a ventilated discs brake system with ABS. Owners of the Lotus Elise S1 give it a 4.8 out of 5 on the reliability scale, proving it is as desirable today as when it was launched over 20 years ago, especially for enthusiasts and loyal fans of the brand. Being such an exotic and versatile machine that keeps up with the times, its 11,990 € price seems well worth it under today's standards.

Rank
horsepower
118
WEIGHT KG
699
Power to Weight
0.17
CURRENT VALUE
$35,000

OEM Specs

engine Description
1.8 L Rover K-series I4
drive Type
RWD
0-60 MPH
5.9 SECs
TOP SPEED KPH
203
PRICE (MSRP) EUR
21,950 €
gearbox
5-SPEED MANUAL
torque
165 N.M
Model Years
1996-2001

YEAR NOTES

1996: The Lotus Elise S1 is introduced as a lightweight, mid-engine sports car with a fiberglass body and aluminum chassis. It features a 1.8L Rover K-Series engine producing 118 hp, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
1998: Lotus introduces a Sport 135 version with an upgraded engine producing 135 hp, along with minor suspension tweaks and weight reductions for enhanced performance.
1999: The Elise S1 gains the Sport 190 variant, featuring a tuned engine with 190 hp and upgraded track-focused suspension, brakes, and aero elements. Additional limited-edition models, like the 111S, debut with cosmetic and performance enhancements.
2000: Minor interior updates improve comfort and ergonomics, and Lotus offers optional features like air conditioning in some markets.
2001: The final year of production for the S1 sees the introduction of limited-edition farewell models, such as the 340R, before transitioning to the S2. These special editions feature unique styling and performance upgrades.

Compare to

Popular Lotus Elise S1 Mods by Level

From 10 documented builds

TrendsLotus Elise S1 owners typically start with Yokohama Advan A052 or Toyo TR1 tires, AST Suspension, and Dixcel FS Type brakes. As builds progress, they often upgrade to Inokinetic V2 Arms, Penske Single Adjustable Shocks, Endless MX72 Plus pads, and a Quaife LSD. Exhausts frequently feature Janspeed or 2bular components.

Medium

9 builds
Tires Yokohama Advan A0522· Toyo Proxes TR12· Avon ZZR1· Toyo Proxes T1R1· Toyo Proxes R888R1
Suspension Nitron NTR R11· AST Suspension1· Inokinetic V2 Arms1· DNA Sway Bar1· Penske Single Adjustable Shocks1
Brakes Dixcel FS Type1· Endless MX721· Ferodo DS25001· Eliseparts Front Brake Rotors1· CL Brakes RC51
Intake/Exhaust Janspeed Small Bore Exhaust2· 2bular Muffler1· 2bular 8" Muffler1· Larini De-Cat Pipe1· LMSC Intake1
Drivetrain Sadev Sequential Gearbox1· Quaife LSD1
Other Mishimoto Sandwich Plate1

Lap Times

Time Track Car Mod Driver Tire Lap Date Date Added vs Predict Pace
1:36.6 L SM S P Cremona Circuit (Pre 2024) Stock 30 Sep, 2019 09 Feb, 2026 -3.54s +3.51%
1:36.4 New L SM Circuit Calafat Medium 30 Apr, 2026 20 Jun, 2026 -2.97s +3.00%
1:17.3 S SM L P Autodromo di Franciacorta Stock 19 Jul, 2018 09 Feb, 2026 -1.7s +2.14%
1:13.3 Autodromo Riccardo Paletti - Varano Race 21 Dec, 2020 09 Dec, 2022 -1.47s +1.93%
1:19.4 Autodromo di Modena (CW) Medium 01 Feb, 2016 05 Apr, 2022 -1.08s +1.33%
1:18.6 SM P L O C Autodromo di Modena (CW) Medium 16 Oct, 2022 15 May, 2026 -0.91s +1.12%
1:57.9 L SM Circuit des Ecuyers Light 03 Sep, 2016 20 Nov, 2022 -1.19s +0.99%
2:19.0 P Calabogie Motorsports Park (CW) Heavy 18 Oct, 2023 25 Jan, 2024 -0.97s +0.68%
1:12.8 L Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet Medium 13 Aug, 2021 06 Oct, 2021 +0.17s -0.23%
2:50.6 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Heavy 30 Apr, 2022 19 Oct, 2024 +5.56s -3.23%
2:33.4 Suzuka Circuit Medium 23 Feb, 2019 12 Mar, 2022 +5.09s -3.45%
2:04.4 L Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari-Imola Circuit Medium 29 Oct, 2015 12 Mar, 2022 +4.6s -3.63%
2:11.0 Mugello Circuit Heavy 19 Nov, 2018 02 Mar, 2025 +4.82s -3.65%
2:05.9 Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari-Imola Circuit Heavy 19 Jun, 2021 12 Mar, 2022 +4.7s -3.71%
2:14.5 L P Ciudad del Motor de Aragón (Motorcycle GP) Stock 03 May, 2018 06 Apr, 2022 +7.09s -5.27%
1:57.5 Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi-ACI Vallelunga Medium 19 Dec, 2020 27 Dec, 2024 +6.36s -5.47%
1:04.8 Circuit du Grand Sambuc Medium 06 Oct, 2019 18 Jan, 2026 +3.63s -5.64%
1:13.6 Calder Park Raceway Medium 28 Jul, 2023 29 Nov, 2025 +4.39s -5.94%
2:39.0 Circuit of the Americas - COTA Stock 19 Jul, 2020 12 Jan, 2025 flag
1:21.2 L Lurcy-Levis circuit Medium 29 Sep, 2021 02 Dec, 2024 +5.82s -7.12%
1:17.3 Circuit d'Issoire (Grand Circuit) Medium 07 Oct, 2012 16 Mar, 2026 flag
1:18.0 Circuit d'Issoire (Grand Circuit) Light 01 Jul, 2017 13 Jun, 2026 +5.74s -7.31%
2:04.2 Sonoma Raceway (Long Pre 2024) Medium 30 Jun, 2023 05 Mar, 2024 +10.96s -8.97%
1:02.0 New North Weald Airfield Stock 19 May, 2026 19 May, 2026

Top Modified Elise S1

Year Driver Name Mod Horsepower Tire Tire Size Vs Predict
1999 (w/A052) Fabio Rurale Race 189 200 ADVAN A052 185/55/15 -7.19s
2000 Fabio Rurale - rhencullen57 Medium 200 ADVAN A052 -6.79s
2000 (w/ZiexZE91) Mik 253 Medium 360 Ziex ZE912 185/55/15 / 205/50/16 -5.75s
2000 Cal Bogie Heavy 118 -4.72s
2000 (w/ZZR) Stefano Rabitti Medium 187 20 ZRR 185/55/15 / 205/50/16 -4.59s
2000 (w/R888R) jean-philippe Lanfranchi Light 118 100 R888R 185/55/15 -3.65s
2000 (w/A052) wizzzard8 Medium 118 200 ADVAN A052 185/55/15 / 205/50/16 -1.76s
2001 (ManuelFretti/Mid) Manuel Fretti Medium 118 +2.22s
2001 Da 0 a 100 Heavy 170 360 Ziex ZE912 185/55/15 / 205/50/16 +3.74s
2000 (w/ZZR) Baron's channel Stock 118 20 ZRR 185/55/15 / 205/50/16 +6.51s
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