Lotus Elise is available in three versions: base Elise, supercharged Elise SC and Elise California Limited Edition available only for 2008.
Lotus also offers two companion models called Exige S and Exige S 240. These are based on Elise, but have fixed composite roof panels and offer more horsepower through supercharged, intercooled engines.
Elise comes standard with a naturally aspirated 1.8L dohc I4 engine rated at 189 horsepower, six-speed close-ratio manual transmission, manual steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 LTS tires, air conditioning, power windows, remote power door locks, anti-theft alarm, engine immobilizer and cloth seats. Peak torque is 133 pound-feet at 6800 rpm.
Elise California is a trim package added to the normally aspirated Elise. Fifty California models are being imported for 2008, 25 in Saffron Yellow and 25 in Ardent Red. Interiors are two-toned to coordinate with the exterior color.
Elise SC adds a non-intercooled Magnuson supercharger with Eaton M45 rotor pack rated at 218 hp and 156 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm.
Elise options include a Touring Pack ($1,600) with padded and insulated black removable soft top, full leather seats and door trim, leather-trimmed center console, audio iPod connector, interior stowage net behind passenger seat, alloy under-dash package tray divider, slide-out extruded alloy cupholder and full black carpet set; Sport Pack ($2,600) with lighter-weight forged (vs. cast) alloy wheels, 6.0J x 16 (vs. 5.5J x 16) front wheel size, Yokohama Advan AD07 LTS tires, Lotus Sport tuned suspension, twin oil coolers, electronic traction control, and black ProBax Sport seats; body-color Hardtop ($1,475); limited-slip differential ($1,790); traction control ($495); Metallic paint ($590), Lifestyle paint ($1,200), Limited paint ($3,300), Exclusive paint ($5,100); Starshield clear front-end and rocker area protection film ($995).
Safety features include mandated dual front airbags (passenger side cannot be deactivated), seatbelt pre-tensioners, integral steel seatbelt support structure, ABS and epoxy-bonded perimeter aluminum chassis subframe. Electronic traction control is optional as a stand-alone or within the Sport Pack).