Historic cars do it exciteespecially when we see them live. As at Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2024.
Ci they excite their shapes, mechanical characteristics and also… the memories and stories of the people behind the cars.
In this Motor1.com Talk we tell you one of these stories, linked to Lotus Elise: that of Elisa Artioli, the person who gave her name to the little English sportswoman.
Elise’s name
Elisa Artioli was a two and a half year old girl when the Elise was presented in 1995 – with her on board – at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And from that moment her story has been linked to this Lotus: since she got her driving licence, Elisa has been driving a first series Elise and has purchased the last example of Elise produced in the English Hethel factory.
We spoke with her about a sports car that has remained in the hearts of enthusiasts for its lightness and purity of the driving experience. It all began with the entrepreneurial adventure of his grandfather, Romano Artioli (at that time also involved in the relaunch of another car brand: Bugatti), who wanted to return Lotus to the values of its founder, Colin Chapman.
Photo at: Motor1.com
The lightness of aluminium
Lightness, therefore, first of all. And so it was that for the skeleton of the Lotus Elise a new construction technique was chosen for the automotive sector, which involved the use of components in aluminum made by extrusion and then assembled by gluing. It was decided to imitate a solution adopted in the aeronautical field to connect metal elements without welding, so as not to alter the mechanical properties of the materials.
Even compared to riveting there was the advantage of keeping the temperature low weight and improve the distribution of forces: the frame thus weighed 68 kg, approximately half of an equivalent one in steel, with a torsional stiffness of over 11,000 Nm per degree. Furthermore, this frame also represented an element of style of the Elise, because it remained visible in the passenger compartment, like on racing cars.
Lotus Elise S1, in the first series
To make the most of the advantages associated with this lightness construction, the Rover “K series” 4-cylinder 1.8 120 HP engine was also chosen taking weight into consideration. The same goes for the braking system, without power assistance, equipped with aluminum-based metal matrix composite (MMC) discs, with magnesium alloy calipers. These – and other – technical choices were among the peculiarities that characterized the first generation of the Elise (1996 – 2001).
In subsequent evolutions the small Lotus was equipped with more powerful engines, as in the case of the Sport 135 version. The VVC variable valve timing system was then introduced on the Elise 111 S, for a power of 145 HP, rising to 160 HP on the Elise Sport 160 and 177 HP on the limited series 340 R, with completely modified fiberglass bodywork.
Photo at: Motor1.com
Lotus Elise S2, the second series
Since 2001 the baton passed to the Lotus Elise S2, with a aesthetics redesigned and limited changes to the chassis, essentially aimed at improving accessibility and space in the passenger compartment, also revised with regards to the internal finishes.
This project also allowed the creation of a variant for General Motors, the Opel Speedsterleaving the Rover K Series engine to Lotus which was then, later, also joined by a Toyota engine.
After the Sport 135 version, which offered more power than the 122 HP of the standard Elise S2, the range expanded with the Elise 111 and 111 S equipped with VVC variable valve timing and 160 HP of power. And with the 111 R of 2004, powered by the 192 HP 1.8 Toyota 2JZ-GE VVTL-i engine. In 2006, to offer a new entry level engine, the Elise S was equipped with another Toyota 1.8 engine (1ZZ-FE), with 136 HP and 5-speed gearbox.
With the Elise SC, an engine with volumetric compressor combined with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE, with 212 HP of power.
Lotus Elise S3, the third series
With the new European anti-pollution regulations the standard comes into force in 2011 Euro 5which brings a new range of engines to the Elise. The entry version has a 1.6 Toyota 1ZR-FAE engine with 136 HP, later joined by the Elise S with a 1.8 Toyota 2ZR-FE engine combined with a supercharger, for a total of 220 HP, which effectively replaces the previous Elise SC. In the meantime, a restyling was also introduced, redesigning the front and rear parts of the bodywork and introducing a new dashboard.
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Source: it.motor1.com
