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2009 Lotus Elise Review
Quick, nimble and responsive.
2009 Elise Review Summary & Specifications
The Lotus Elise is an ideal weekend sports car for spirited driving or track events. It is among the most agile, best driving sportscars in the world. On a winding, curving road, no other production car is likely to be faster or more rewarding getting from Point A to Point B. Outside its intended role, the Elise is compromised by its small size.Rex Parker filed this NewCarTestDrive.com report.
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| Vehicle Category | Sports Cars |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Lotus Elise ($47,250); Elise SC ($54,990) |
| Engines (standard) | 1.8-liter dohc 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed manual |
| Engines (optional) | 189-hp 1.8-liter I4; 218-hp 1.8-liter supercharged I4 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | driver/passenger front airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, integral steel seatbelt support structure, tire pressure monitoring system, epoxy-bonded aluminum extrusion chassis structure, RTM composite fiberglass body, daytime running lights, ABS |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | electronic traction control |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Hethel, Norwich, County Norfolk, United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-24-LOTUS |
| Manufacturer URL | www.lotuscars.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 47250 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Lotus Elise ($47,250) |
| Standard Equipment | black cloth seats, air conditioning, power windows, remote power door locks, anti-theft alarm, engine immobilizer, carpeted floor mats, leather-trimmed Momo steering wheel, Alpine 1-DIN AM/FM/CD with 4 speakers; removable black soft top with stowage bag, alloy fuel filler door, projector-beam headlights, daytime running lights, tinted glass |
| Destination Charge | 925 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Touring Pack ($1,600) including padded and insulated black removable soft top, full leather seats and door trim, upgraded stereo system with iPod connector, interior stowage net behind passenger seat and full black carpet set; body-color hardtop ($1,475); metallic paint ($590); Starshield ($995) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 52835 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 189 @ 7800 |
| Torque | 133 @ 6800 |
| Fuel Economy | 21/27 |
| Wheelbase | 90.5 |
| Length/Width/Height | 149.0/72.8/44.0 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 32.8 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.0/na/43.5 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Trunk Volume | 4.0 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | not recommended |
| Front Suspension | independent, upper-lower unequal-length wishbones, Bilstein Mono-Tube telescopic gas shock absorbers, Eibach coaxial coil springs, anti-sway bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, upper-lower unequal-length wishbones, Bilstein Mono-Tube telescopic gas shock absorbers, Eibach coaxial coil springs |
| Ground Clearance | 5.3 |
| Curb Weight | 1984 |
| Stock Tires | 175/55R16 front, 225/45R17 rear |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, two-piston aluminum front calipers, Brembo one-piston rear calipers |
| Fuel Capacity | 10.6 |
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