Lotus Elise 2013 Owner's Manual

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THE ELISE

LOTUS ELISE

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CONTENTS

A UNIQUE PLACE IN HISTORY

LOTUS RACING ON TRACK 6-7

PERFORMANCE THROUGH LIGHTWEIGHT 8-9

BUILT IN PERFORMANCE 10 -11

SUPERIOR ON TRACK 12-13

SPIRITED ON THE ROAD 14-15

ALIVE IN THE CITY 16-17

THE LOTUS ELISE 22-23

THE LOTUS ELISE CR 24-25

THE LOTUS ELISE S 26-27

FEATURE FOCUS 28-29

COCKPIT INTERIOR 30-31

BODY COLOURS 34-35

4-5

INTERIOR STYLE 36-37

EXTERIOR WHEELS 38

OPTION PACK S 39

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 40-42

LOTUS LIFE 43

FURTHER INFORMATION 44

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A UNIQUE PLACE IN

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HISTORY

Lotus is a driving icon that throughout decades of
development has remained true to its founding principles;
from the original Elite to the latest Evora. Efficient use of
the minimum number of parts, a perfectly balanced
chassis and a tactile and involving spirit are recognisable
in every car to carry the Lotus badge.

In 1948 Colin Chapman built his first car, following his
own theories for improved performance. He formed
Lotus in 1952 and from then on the company has never
ceased to innovate. In competition, Lotus has a rich
histor y. In Formula 1 alone Lotus has more than 500
Grand Prix starts, complete with 80 victories and 7
World Championships. In addition to the accolades

7 806 9 11

FIA For mula 1
Constructors’

World

Championships

FIA Formula 1

Dri ve rs’

World

Championships

“If you’re not winning, you’re not trying.”

4 / A UNIQU E PLACE IN HI STORY / Lotu s Elise Lotus E lise / A UNIQU E PLACE IN H ISTORY / 5

FIA For mula 1

Grand Prix

Wins

Le Mans

Wins

(in Class)

Indianapolis 500

Win

FIA World Rally

Championship

Above: Founder Colin Chapman.
Left: 1970, the British Grand Prix

was won by Rindt’s Lotus 72.
Right: 1972, Fittipaldi in the
iconic black and gold livery
debriefs Chapman.

gained in F1, Lotus has successfully competed in Rally,
Le Mans, Indy and sports car classes around the world.

Chapman was a pioneer in creating lightweight cars,
his innovations changed the face of racing car design
forever. From the introduction of ‘ground effect’, aerofoil
wings, monocoque chassis and active-ride suspension
through to the aluminium bonded chassis of the modern
line up, Lotus have never stopped inventing and the
passion for innovation remains at the core of everything
they do today.

LOTUS RACING

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ON TRACK

Left: Evora GT4
Below: LMP2 Car
Bottom: 2012 MSA British Endurance

Championship winning Evora GTC
Right: 2012 Lotus F1 Car at the
Australian Grand Prix

For Lotus, motorsport is tradition, inspiration and the
cornerstone of its brand. Colin Chapman inspired
Lotus’ racing success and applied his engineering
genius to make Lotus cars technically innovative and
ultimately faster than the competition.

As ambitious now as in the past, this dedication to
motorsport continues with Lotus gearing up in
competitions around the world. In Formula 1
Endurance racing and numerous GT series, Lotus is up
to speed; from Silverstone to Le Mans to Laguna Seca,
Lotus is making an impression in the world’s most
famous events on the most demanding circuits. These
high-profile international events are complimented by
dedicated Lotus one-make race series for the Evora,
Exige and Elise.

®

,

©garry fuller.com

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ELISE

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ELISE

E

PERFORMANCE THROUGH

LIGHTWEIGHT

CR

Colin Chapman constructed a series of aerodynamically
advanced, lightweight sports racing cars during the

1950s - typified by the Lotus Eleven that won its class at

Le Mans in 1957. Often quoted, though still as valid today
as when he first uttered the words at the launch of the
Lotus Seven in 1957, Chapman’s ethos was - “to increase
performance, add lightness”.

S

ELISE

E

His engineering ideals endure in the Lotus Elise, with few
cars rivalling its tactile agility. A mid-engined, rear-wheel
drive with an ultra-responsive chassis, utilising lightweight
materials such as aluminium and composite deliver the
ultimate driving sensation, providing phenomenal feedback
with surefooted handling.

A reputation as a true driver’s car combined with low
CO

emissions mean the Elise is the perfect sports car

2

for today’s roads.

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BUILT IN

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PERFORMANCE

Above: Attention to detail
Right: Elise composite bodywork

read y for paint

Bottom: Finishing touches
Far Righ t: The award winning

Elise chassis

The name Lotus is synonymous with sublime handling and poised vehicle
dynamics around the world. The Elise leads the way with its lightweight,
state-of-the-art, extruded and bonded aluminium chassis, allied to motorsport
derived double wishbone suspension with body panels made from lightweight
composite. Its unique design ensures an extremely rigid chassis, and the perfect
foundation for an agile sports car.

Production combines high technology processes with hand finishing techniques,
from chassis construction through to final assembly. Teams of specialists oversee
every process ensuring Lotus’ high-quality engineering standards are met. With
engineering effectiveness comes efficiency, allowing Lotus to extract every aspect
of dynamic performance from each component – remaining true to Chapmans’
original principle of performance through lightweight.

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SUPERIOR ON

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TRACK

A Lotus Elise is like a ‘glove on the hand’, a second skin channelling
feedback into your hands and feet via the steering wheel and the pedals.
Designed to deliver, it inspires confidence with precision control, perfect
balance and pedigree dynamics. From its functional aerodynamics, to its
mid-engined construction with optimum weight distribution, through to
its race-derived components, such as Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs
and track tuned braking system - the Elise’s dynamic intent is clear.

Proof of its prowess is the Lotus Cup race series: the Elise is as much at
home on the circuit as it is on rural roads. It tracks superbly, sticking
tight to the tarmac as you establish a rhythm and flow through the turns.
But you’d expect that given its evolution at the famous Hethel test track.

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