Elise
Lotus Elise: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.
Licensed photo · Photo creditGenerations and technical specifications
Lotus Elise – Series 32011–2021
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 2011–2021 |
| Engines | 1.6 L Toyota 1ZR-FAE I4 1.8 L Toyota 2ZZ-GE I4 (2011 Models) 1.8 L Toyota 2ZR-FE Supercharged I4 |
| Transmissions | 6-speed Toyota EC60 manual 6-speed Toyota C64 manual (2011 US Models) |
| Wheelbase | 2,300 mm |
| Length | 3,824 mm |
| Width | 1,719 mm |
| Height | 1,117 mm |
| Kerb weight | 866 kg 914 kg |
Lotus Elise – Series 22001–2011
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 2001–2011 |
| Engines | 1.8 L Rover K-series I4 1.8 L Toyota 1ZZ-FE I4 1.8 L Toyota 2ZZ-GE I4 |
| Transmissions | 5-speed Rover PG1 manual 5-speed Toyota C56 manual 6-speed Toyota C64 manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,300 mm |
| Length | 3,785 mm |
| Width | 1,719 mm |
| Height | 2002–2007: 1,143 mm 2008–2011: 1,117 mm |
| Kerb weight | 860 kg 910 kg |
| Designer | Steve Crijns |
Lotus Elise – Series 11996–2001
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 1996–2001 |
| Engines | 1.8 L Rover K-series I4 |
| Transmissions | 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,300 mm |
| Length | 3,726 mm |
| Width | 1,719 mm |
| Height | 1,202 mm |
| Kerb weight | 725 kg ~ 755 kg |
| Designer | Julian Thomson |
Engines and transmissions
| Model years | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006, 2009–2011 | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2007–2008 | 1.8 L, 4 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (regular) |
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Model years | Configuration | Combined | City | Highway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2011 | 1.8 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 10.2–10.7 L/100 km | 11.2–12.4 L/100 km | 8.7–9.4 L/100 km |
Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.
EU type-approval data
| Years | Powertrain | Engine | Power | Mass | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2022 | Petrol | 1798 cm³ | 178 kW (242 PS) | 1006 kg | 177 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2021–2022 | Petrol | 1798 cm³ | 179 kW (243 PS) | 1006 kg | 177 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2017–2022 | Petrol | 1798 cm³ | 183 kW (249 PS) | 1006 kg | 177 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2013–2021 | Petrol | 1798 cm³ | 161 kW (219 PS) | 999 kg | 174–179 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2012–2021 | Petrol | 1798 cm³ | 162 kW (220 PS) | 999 kg | 174–179 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2016–2021 | Petrol | 1798 cm³ | 182 kW (247 PS) | 1006 kg | 177 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2011–2019 | Petrol | 1598 cm³ | 100 kW (136 PS) | 951–966 kg | 149 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2011, 2015 | Petrol | 1796 cm³ | 162 kW (220 PS) | 999–1001 kg | 173–199 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | Petrol | 1794 cm³ | – | 944–951 kg | 179 g/km (NEDC) |
Years are registration years. Each range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the values reported for new registrations; it is not an average. Mass is the mass in running order. For electric cars the power is the type-approval net power, which can be lower than the peak power in brochures.
Key specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| EPA size class | Two-seater |
| Model years in EPA data | 2005–2011 |
| Powertrains | Petrol |
| Engine displacement | 1.8 L |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission types | Manual |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Fuel | Petrol (premium), Petrol (regular) |
| Configurations listed | 12 |
| Forced induction | Supercharged (on some versions) |
| Powertrains (EU) | Petrol |
| Engine displacement (EU) | 1,598–1,798 cm³ |
| Power (EU) | 100–183 kW (136–249 PS) |
| Mass in running order (EU) | 944–1,006 kg |
| Wheelbase (EU) | 2,300 mm |
Years and markets
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years (US) | 2005–2012 |
| New registrations (EU) | 2000–2022 |
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
| Component | Complaints | Most reported model years |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 51 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 7 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2005 |
| Suspension | 4 | 2005, 2006 |
| Visibility and wipers | 4 | 2005 |
| Brakes | 2 | 2005, 2009 |
| Fuel and propulsion | 2 | 2007 |
| Wheels | 1 | 2005 |
| Latches and locks | 1 | 2005 |
| Steering | 1 | 2006 |
Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2005–2007, 2009: 72 complaints, 2 with a crash and 2 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.