Lotus Elise Specifications: Full Technical Details

Lotus Elise is a legendary ultra-lightweight two-seat roadster that defined driver-focused sports car purity, with a mid-mounted Toyota engine and a fibreglass body on an extruded aluminium chassis. It was produced from 1996 to 2021. This page covers the relevant generation.

Series 3 (2010-2021)

The final Elise (Series 3, 2010–2021) used a 1.6-litre Toyota 1ZR-FAE (134 hp) or supercharged 1.8-litre Toyota 2ZZ-GE (217 hp) in the S, with a 6-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, weighing under 900 kg.

Quick Specs Snapshot

Body 2-DOOR ROADSTER

Segment SPORTS CAR

Seats 2

Fuel PETROL

Transmission 6-speed manual

Drive Rear-wheel drive

Engine & Performance

Engine displacement1,597–1,796 cc

Engine type1.6L Toyota 1ZR-FAE NA / 1.8L Toyota 2ZZ-GE Supercharged I4

Peak power100–162 kW (134–217 hp)

Peak torque160–220 Nm

Transmission6-speed manual

Driven wheelsRear-wheel drive

Dimensions & Weight

L × W × H3,726 × 1,719 × 1,117 mm mm

Wheelbase2,300 mm

Kerb weight951 kg

Capacities & Efficiency

Fuel tank40 L

Seats2

Fuel economy (city)≈7.5 L/100km (city estimate)

Fuel economy (highway)≉6.0 L/100km (highway estimate)

Fuel figures are a summary — see the full breakdown on the Fuel Consumption page.

Chassis, Brakes & Suspension

Front brakesNot available

Rear brakesNot available

Front suspensionNot available

Rear suspensionNot available

SteeringRack and pinion

Front tyres175/55 R16

Previous Generation (2001-2011)

The 2001-2011 Lotus Elise is powered by a Multi Point F/INJ engine producing 100 kW and Not available, paired with 6-speed manual. It seats 2.

Quick Specs Snapshot

Body 2-DOOR COUPE

Segment MEDIUM SPORTS

Seats 2

Fuel PETROL

Transmission 6-speed manual

Drive Rear-wheel drive

Engine & Performance

Engine displacement1,796 cc

Engine typeMulti Point F/INJ

Peak power100 kW

Peak torqueNot available Nm

Transmission6-speed manual

Driven wheelsRear-wheel drive

Dimensions & Weight

L × W × HNot available mm

Wheelbase2,300 mm

Kerb weight951 kg

Capacities & Efficiency

Fuel tank44 L

Seats2

Fuel economy (city)11.3 L/100km

Fuel economy (highway)6.5 L/100km

Fuel figures are a summary — see the full breakdown on the Fuel Consumption page.

Chassis, Brakes & Suspension

Front brakesNot available

Rear brakesNot available

Front suspensionNot available

Rear suspensionNot available

SteeringRack and pinion

Front tyres175/55 R16

Earlier Generation (1996-2001)

The 1996-2001 Lotus Elise is powered by a Multi Point F/INJ engine producing 170 kW and 142 Nm, paired with 5-speed manual. It seats 4.

Quick Specs Snapshot

Body 2-DOOR CONVERTIBLE

Segment MEDIUM SPORTS

Seats 4

Fuel PETROL

Transmission 5-speed manual

Drive Rear-wheel drive

Engine & Performance

Engine displacement1,796 cc

Engine typeMulti Point F/INJ

Peak power170 kW

Peak torque142 Nm

Transmission5-speed manual

Driven wheelsRear-wheel drive

Dimensions & Weight

L × W × HNot available mm

WheelbaseNot available mm

Kerb weight586 kg

Capacities & Efficiency

Fuel tankNot available

Seats4

Fuel economy (city)Not available L/100km

Fuel economy (highway)Not available L/100km

Fuel figures are a summary — see the full breakdown on the Fuel Consumption page.

Chassis, Brakes & Suspension

Front brakesNot available

Rear brakesNot available

Front suspensionNot available

Rear suspensionNot available

SteeringRack and pinion

Front tyresNot available

Model Timeline / Generations

Generations Overview

Gen.	Years	Engine	Power	Variants
Series 3 (2010-2021)	2010–2021	1.6–1.8 L	100–162 kW (134–217 hp)	Not available
Previous Generation (2001-2011)	2001–2011	1.8 L	100 kW	Not available
Earlier Generation (1996-2001)	1996–2001	1.8 L	170 kW	Not available

Frequently Asked Questions