Lotus’ Elise Race 250 is one seriously focused track machine

By Stephen Edelstein July 28, 2016

Lotus Elise Race 250 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lotus doesn’t plan to bring the enthusiast-favorite Elise back to the U.S. as a street-legal model until 2020, but in the meantime it’s whetting appetites with a track-only version of the nimble sports car.

The Lotus Elise Race 250 aims to live up to its name with a no-frills approach to performance. It’s powered by a 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine that produces 243 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, and doesn’t exactly have a lot of weight to push around.

Lotus claims the Elise Race 250 weighs less than 900 kilograms (1,984 pounds) dry. That’s thanks to things like carbon fiber race seat, forged alloy wheels that are lighter than what you’ll find on a typical Elise, and a lithium-ion battery, which alone saves 10 kg (22 lbs), according to Lotus. An optional Carbon Aero Pack cuts weight further by replacing the standard front splitter, rear wing spoiler, rear diffuser, and side-floor extensions with carbon fiber pieces.

Read more: Lotus Evora Sport 410 sheds weight, adds power

The aerodynamic aids generate up to 155 kg (341 lbs) of downforce at 154 mph, says Lotus. The Elise Race 250 also gets uprated brakes and suspension, the latter including and adjustable anti-roll bar and dampers. The result is a car that can lap Lotus’ test track in Hethel, England, in 1 minute, 33.5 seconds. Lotus says that makes the Race 250 the fastest racing version of the Elise ever.

Make no mistake, this car is built for racing, not just playing around on a track. It includes a full roll cage, racing harness, fire extinguisher, battery isolator, and front and rear towing eyes. Lotus even blanked off the headlights with composite panels, since exposed glass headlight covers aren’t allowed in many race series.

The starting prices for the Lotus Elise Race 250 is $76,200, but non racers will have to wait a while to get a new Elise for the street. Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales recently said the Elise will return to the U.S. in 2020, and that the car will stay true to its roots as a lightweight, fun-to-drive roadster. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.