Lotus is farewelling the Elise and Exige the only way it knows how.
Set to retire at the end of this year, the Lotus Elise Final Edition and Lotus Exige Final Edition mark the end of an era that started in 1995 for Lotus.
Just 80 are bound for Australia across both model lines, with a split between them to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Exige Cup 430 (red) and Elise Cup 250 (orange)
Both Elise and Exige Final Editions benefit from the latest Lotus TFT dashboard, along with a redesigned flat-bottom steering wheel trimmed in leather and Alcantara.
Final Edition plaques, unique seat trim, and distinct stitching patterns all feature.
2021 Lotus Elise Final Edition
Two versions of the Elise will be offered; the Sport 240 and the Cup 250.
Power in the Sport 240 comes from an uprated version of the supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine previously used in the Sport 220.
With 179kW of power and 244Nm of torque, the Sport 240 will hit 97km/h (60mph) in just 4.1 seconds from standstill.
The car rides on 16-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels that are forged to save weight, wrapped in Yokohama V105 tyres.
Even though it’s hardly a heavyweight at 922kg stock, the Final Edition can be specced with carbon-fibre body panels, a lithium-ion battery, and a polycarbonate rear window can cut that further to 898kg.
The Elise Cup 250 ups power to 186kW and maintains the same torque output.
It gets a more aggressive exterior design, with a new front splitter, rear wing, diffuser, and floor components to create 66kg of downforce at 160km/h, and 155kg at the car’s 248km/h top whack.
Compared to the Sport, the Cup rides on Diamond Cut M Sport wheels wrapped in Yokohama A052 tyres.
There’s a Bilstein sport suspension and adjustable anti-roll bars, and the optional lithium-ion battery and polycarbonate rear window from the Sport are standard.
With the same carbon options as the Sport 240 fitted, the Cup 250 tips the scales at just 931kg.
2021 Lotus Exige Final Edition
A trio of Exige special editions will be offered; the Sport 390, the Sport 420, and the Cup 430.
Although no Exige could really be considered truly entry-level, the Sport 390 kicks off the Exige Final Edition line-up with 296kW and 420Nm from its 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine.
The car’s aerodynamics package generates 70kg of downforce over the rear axle and 45kg on the front, and rides on 10-spoke forged alloy wheels measuring 17 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear.
They’re shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
Moving up to the Sport 420 boosts power to 313kW and torque to 427Nm. Top speed is just short of 300km/h, and the 97km/h sprint flies past in just 3.3 seconds.
Under the skin are adjustable Eibach anti-roll bars and three-way adjustable Nitron dampers, and the car rides on staggered-diameter forged alloy wheels wrapped in more serious Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
There’s also AP Racing brakes with forged, four-piston calipers. They’re designed to deal better with heat, and are less affected by debris than the standard units for more serious, sustained track work.
Sitting atop the range is the Exige Cup 430.
With 321kW of power and 440Nm of torque, not to mention its aggressive aerodynamics package, the Cup generates a whopping 171kg of downforce.
The 97km/h sprint flies past in just 3.2 seconds, and flat out you’ll be doing 273km/h because of that aggressive aero package.
If it’s a lightweight motorsports option, it’s fitted to the Exige Cup 430.
That means there’s carbon fibre panels, a one-piece tailgate, and a massive rear wing.
The steering arm geometry has been tweaked compared to the Exige Sport, and there’s adjustable Nitron dampers working with adjustable Eibach anti-roll bars.
MORE: Lotus Elise news, reviews, comparisons and videos
MORE: Lotus Exige news, reviews, comparisons and videos
