Performance Review: Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Elise Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Lotus Elise has a 1796cc 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 710 kgs (1565 lbs) this makes the Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 in the same weight category as the 1996 Lotus Elise S1 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Elise shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 190 bhp (141 kW) @ 7800 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 128 lb-ft (173.5 Nm) @ 5000 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 2017 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Estate (291.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Elise.

The Lotus Elise has a Power to weight ratio of 267.6 bhp per ton and 180.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Elise competing with the 2017 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Estate (291.7 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 (291.7 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 180.2 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 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet 997 (205.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro (205.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Elise and the 2004 Lotus Elise 111R

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Elise on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.9 secs @ 106.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Lotus Elise 111R (12.84 secs), the 2008 Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDi Quattro (12.85 secs), and the 1996 Maserati Quattroporte 3.2 V8 Biturbo (12.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Elise equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Elise Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison