Lotus have produced two limited edition versions of the Elise that feature retro-style stripes and colour schemes that would have featured on Lotus sports cars of the 1950s and '60s.

Two distinctly different vehicles have been produced. The first, in Ardent Red, features a single painted white stripe flanked by two thinner painted white stripes and has distinctive white wing mirrors. The interior of the car is also unique, with matching red stitching set against black leather trim.

The second car is Nightfall Blue and has twin painted white stripes running the length of the vehicle. Again, this car features white wing mirrors and has a unique interior, subtly matching the exterior of the vehicle, with blue stitching on the leather

Under the new paint scheme the car features ultra-lightweight 7-twin spoke forged alloy wheels with Advan Neova AD07 LTS tyres, sports suspension with uprated Eibach springs and stiffer Bilstein dampers, twin oil coolers and switchable Lotus Traction Control (LTC).

The VVTL-i engine produces a maximum power 189 hp (192 PS) sprinting the car to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds, and 160km/h in 13.0 seconds, before reaching a certified top speed of 241km/h (150 mph).

The Lotus Elise Sports Racer is available from Lotus dealers in November 2005 at a recommended retail price of £31,995 in the UK. Other world market prices will be issued shortly.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Lotus