Performance Review: Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Elise Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.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 860 kgs (1895 lbs) this makes the Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S 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 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 156 bhp (116 kW) @ 7000 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 129 lb-ft (174.9 Nm) @ 4650 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 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion 2.0 Turbo (206.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Elise.

The Lotus Elise has a Power to weight ratio of 181.3 bhp per ton and 150.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 Elise competing with the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion 2.0 Turbo (206.3 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur V8 (206.1 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 150.0 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 1999 Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro (175.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM Wagon (175.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs). This Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Elise and the 2017 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Elise on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.6 secs @ 93.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Coupe (14.54 secs), the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), and the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S has a maximum speed of 131mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 Elise equals the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S then how about the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (142 mph), the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (142 mph), or the 2013 Lexus IS 350 (142 mph).

Related Links:

2002 Elise Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison