Performance Review: Lotus Elise S - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Elise Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Elise S is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Lotus Elise has a 1794cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Elise shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Elise's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 860 kgs (1895 lbs) this makes the Lotus Elise S in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Elise shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1794cc 16V St4 engine produces 134 bhp (99 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 127 lb-ft (172.1 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lotus Elise you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (180.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Elise.

The Lotus Elise has a Power to weight ratio of 155.8 bhp per ton and 147.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Elise competing with the 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (180.8 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA (180.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lotus Elise generating around 147.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Maserati Quattroporte 4.2 V8 (172.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (172.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Lotus Elise S as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Lotus Elise S is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Elise and the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Elise on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.36 secs @ 89.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs), the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe (15.30 secs), and the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon (15.30 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Lotus Elise S has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Elise equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Lotus Elise S then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Elise Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison