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Thursday, September 3, 2009
Like many other niche automakers, Lotus has a thing for special edition models. The latest one to come out of Hethel is the Elise S-based Club Racer (CR) and it will be displayed for the first time at the Frankfurt motorshow. Although it retains the base model's Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter engine and five-speed gearbox which is good for a 0 to 60mph sprint time of 5.7 sec (0-100km/h: 6.1") while returning 37.2 mpg UK or 7.6 lt/100km on the combined cycle, the CR introduces new color schemes, bespoke interior and lightweight components.
The Elise Club Racer will be offered with four classic color schemes used by Lotus in the 1960s - Elite Yellow, Carbon Grey, Sky Blue and Old English White. The lightweight anthracite six-spoke alloy wheels that are shod in bespoke Yokohama AD07 LTS tires round off the special edition model's... unchanged looks.
The exterior body color theme is carried over to the interior and is combined with silver and black paint highlights while the seats get lightweight microfibre comfort pads.
Other treats include the anthracite anodised gear knob and handbrake lever, the Club Racer (CR) logo hand embroidered on the seat headrest and the unique anodized aluminium flooring in the driver's and passenger's footwell.
"Special Editions of the award winning Elise have always proved popular with our customers around the world, and I expect the Elise Club Racer to be no different," said Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars. "We have taken color schemes from our past, used on the Elite and Elan in the 1960s and cleverly brought them up to date with a modern feel to the interior. The whole design package is modern with a classic twist, which of course matches the peerless ride and handling of a Lotus and the convertible experience of the Elise perfectly."
The special edition Club Racer goes on sale in Europe on September 15 with retail prices set at €34,475 in Belgium, €34,175 in France, € 34,770 in Italy, CHF 48,820 in Switzerland, €33,125 in Germany and £25,712 in the UK.
