Performance Review: Lotus Elise SC 1.8 - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Elise Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Elise SC 1.8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8.This particular Lotus Elise has a 1796cc Supercharged 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 903 kgs (1990 lbs) this makes the Lotus Elise SC 1.8 in the same weight category as the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Elise shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 217 bhp (161 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Supercharged St4 throws out 156 lb-ft (211.5 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 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 Audi R8 4.2 FSI Quattro V8 (265.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Elise.

The Lotus Elise has a Power to weight ratio of 240.3 bhp per ton and 172.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 Elise competing with the 2006 Audi R8 4.2 FSI Quattro V8 (265.3 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK 991 (265.1 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 172.7 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 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12 (197.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (197.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.5 secs, this made the Lotus Elise SC 1.8 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs). This Lotus Elise SC 1.8 is also faster than the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Elise and the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Elise on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.28 secs @ 103.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet (13.22 secs), the 1999 Ford Mustang 4th Gen SVT Cobra Coupe (13.22 secs), and the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (13.22 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the Lotus Elise SC 1.8 has a maximum speed of 148mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 Elise equals the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 Lotus Elise SC 1.8 then how about the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph), the 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 (159 mph), or the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph).

Related Links:

2007 Elise Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison