EuroSports Singapore launches Lotus Elise SC

The anticipated Lotus Elise Supercharged (SC) was introduced to an enthusiastic crowd at the Hortpark on 2nd June 2008. It adds a Lotus designed supercharger to the existing Toyota 1.8 litre 2-ZZ VVTL-i power plant, boosting power to a tyre scorching 218 hp at 8000rpm, while torque figures are 211.8Nm at 5000rpm.

The Lotus designed, Magnuson-produced supercharger uses a smaller Eaton rotor pack (an M45 unit) than that of the current Exige S, and is married to the intake manifold plenum as part of a single piece casting. This, along with the absence of an intercooler, means an 8kg reduction in engine weight over the Exige S - keeping the total weight of the iconic roadster to 870 kg (compare to the Elise R's 860 kg)


The Elise SC hits the century sprint in a claimed 4.6 seconds, while the aerodynamics package generates 42kg of downforce at 160 km/h, keeping in mind that like the Exige and other Elises, this car has been tuned towards attaining blistering track times, as well as phenomenal on road performance.

Different from the Exige

Differentiating it from the Exige, the Elise SC's suspension has been tuned in keeping with its role as a supremely fast road car, rather than a dedicated track weapon. Throttle response is very progressive, but also very direct, resulting in a measured, refined driving experience.

New, and specific to the Elise SC, is a bespoke wheel design that sees the rear wheels increase in width by almost half an inch to eight inches to give even better grip performance from the standard Lotus specific Yokohama AD07 LTS 225/45 R17 tyres.


Also showing that the Elise SC is constantly improving is the inclusion of driver and passenger airbags as standard.

There is also a new and upgraded instrument panel, the key feature of which will be the "shift indicators".

These are three shift up lights, cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated, they flash to indicate that you're almost on the rev limiter so you know when to upshift.


Speaking at the launch, Director, Brand Operations for EuroSports Lotus, Mr KC Chong noted "the Elise SC really just sets the bar even higher in terms of drivability and on road enjoyment. The improved torque and even greater accessibility of the power makes the Elise SC ridiculously easy to drive fast - it is also absolutely mind-blowing on the track"

Interestingly, the Elise SC is the last new model that we will see before the introduction of the hotly anticipated "Project Eagle" at the end of the year. This is said to include 2+2 seating and a V6 of "at least three litres" and an ease of ingress and egress not seen since the halcyon days of the Lotus Esprit - itself a cult classic.