Lotus releases Eco Elise ahead of London Motor Show

Lotus releases Eco Elise ahead of London Motor Show

Filed under: Coupes, Green, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows

UPDATED with more hempalicious photos.

Click either image for a high-res gallery of the Eco Elise.

We've had our fill of limited edition Elises lately, largely because they rarely bring anything new to our favorite track-day toy. However, the Lotus Eco Elise stands apart. Sure, it's got the same drivetrain as the Elise S, uses the same aluminum tub and shares the same shape as its arguably environmentally friendly siblings, but the differences are in the details.

To begin with, the Eco Elise uses a host of sustainable materials to make up the body and trim, including hemp, "eco wool," sisal and a new high-tech, water-based paint that can be applied by hand, while still maintaining the grade-A finish you'd expect. All of these elements reduce the Eco Elise's footprint throughout its lifecycle, limit the amount of energy used during production and simultaneously slashes 70 pounds from the standard Elise's curb weight.

But Lotus hasn't stopped there. It's fitted a set of flexible solar panels on the hard top to help power the electrical systems, reducing the drain on the engine and improving efficiency. And there's a new green shift light on the instrument panel that assists drivers in maximizing fuel efficiency.

You can read up on all the details of the Eco Elise in the press release after the jump, and expect more information and pictures when it makes its official debut at the London Motor Show later this month.

Gallery: Lotus Eco Elise


Continue reading Lotus releases Eco Elise ahead of London Motor Show



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