Lotus releasing Elise Purist Edition for $43,995

Lotus releasing Elise Purist Edition for $43,995

Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Lotus

Lotus Elise - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Rumors have been circulating for almost a week that Lotus was planning to release a stripped-down, low-cost version of the Elise in the States. Today, we finally received confirmation from Lotus' U.S. PR-man, Kevin Smith, that indeed, the Elise "Purist" edition is on the way, and unlike the dozens of other limited-edition Elises coming out of Hethel, this is one we can actually get behind.

According to Smith, the "Purist" edition is an attempt to get the Elise closer to the MSRP it carried when introduced to the U.S. market in 2005. So Lotus has set the price at a slightly more achievable $43,995, or around $3,500 less than a base Elise.

However, the "Purist" is hardly a stripper model. Only available in Ardent Red, Monaco White and Saffron Yellow, the entry-level Lotus is still packing the 190-hp, Toyota-source 2ZZ 1.8-liter four and six-speed manual transmission, along with Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs, AP-developed calipers with ventilated and cross-drilled discs, silver wheels sized 16x5.5 in front and 17x7.5 in the rear, each shod in Yokohama Neova high-performance rubber (175/55 front, 225/45 rear). Black leather seats join a Momo steering wheel, power doors locks, air-conditioning, a four-speaker stereo with in-dash CD player, tire-pressure monitoring system and an alarm with engine immobilizer. The only option available is the Starshield coating for $995. Neither the Sport or Touring pack will be offered and we're okay with that - it's near perfection already.


Gallery: Lotus Elise



[Source: Lotus, LotusEnthusiast]Lotus releasing Elise Purist Edition for $43,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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:lol


The pick of the engine says Lotus performance. It should say Toyota performance. Still sounds like a great deal to me. Better than an S2000

wait, how much is an s2k?

half that.

its only 9k less for the base or 7k more than the next model base. definitely not half the price.

Used 2006 S2k, less then 30k miles, $22,995


Link


Less then 30k mileage still qualifies for factory warranties.

We're talking new car prices here. That's a 4 year old car already, since it was probably produced in 2005.

For around 5-6k more, I would just get the Lotus. Exotic car status pwns the S2k. Exotic car insurance and registration also pwn.

This. you arent looking at the full picture...not to mention practicality....there isnt a boot in a lotus...and lets face it...how many of us are going to buy a car just to drive on sundays? if we did that...we wouldnt have toyotas

The s2k trunk space isn't much bigger..

How much crap do you haul around everyday anyways? I can put my backpack and laptop in there with space to spare.

I'm seen and compared both cars in person already and I know I would definitely pick the Lotus over the S2k. And Jspex is right. The truck space in an S2k isn't that much better.

Neither are practical for every day driving...not to mention both are pretty hedious...but the lotus just looks like a road kill frog.



enough for a body at least..unless you kill a midget.

Have you ridden in both to pass judgment? It might just be your opinion, but some people daily cars with full coilover suspensions at hard setting and don't complain.

i dont mind getting both cars,s2k for weekdays and lotus weekends.

In the end of the day no roadster or sports car is practical.. If you need practicability, get a truck or SUV.

The S2000 is a great car but it is watered down compared to a Lotus.. If you want a pure no-nonsense sports car, the Lotus is the way to go.

If I had the money, the full carbon Lotus would be my choice.

I'd get a exige. Everytime I drive a convertible, I feel like I'm driving Barbie's dream car.

exactly. there's no way to compare a used car to a new car.

x2 The Exige is amazing. But the Purist is a good price

Also, one can see s2k's left and right. Some people still turn their heads when they see lotuses.

Exactly. Everyone and their mom has an S2k it seems.

I actually seen middle age ladies driving around in S2000's quite regularly

^^ LOL:grinno:

oh well, there's a little over a month left for anyone who's still interested in getting a new one.

after that, Honda will sell only blandmobiles like Toyota.