Cars
Lotus Eco Elise Concept with Hemp Body Panels!
Lotus will unveil an environmentally-friendly version of its sporty roadster called Eco Elise at the British Motor Show that opens its doors on July 22. Unlike most eco-friendly propositions of our time, the Eco Elise study doesn’t revolve solely around tailpipe CO2 emissions. Instead, the Brits tried a holistic approach to ecology by using sustainable materials, cleaner manufacturing processes, renewable energy generation and of course, by reducing the car’s weight. The renewable materials that have been incorporated into the Eco Elis project include hemp (industrial cannabis) that’s used on the car’s composite body panels, spoiler and seats, eco wool for the upholstery and sisal for the carpet. Cleaner manufacturing processes have been achieved by utilizing the latest water based paint technology. As for renewable energy generation, the Eco Elise’s hemp hard top incorporates a set of solar panels that provide power for the car’s electrical systems. -Continued
"Performance through light weight" is synonymous with Lotus, so a reduction in mass was a priority for the company’s engineers. The weight reduction philosophy has even extended to the audio system with a lightweight stereo and speaker system from Alpine that saves an impressive 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). The Eco Elise also uses special lightweight wheels that reduce the unsprung mass and contribute a weight saving of approximately 15.8 kg (34.8 lbs) over the already light Elise wheels.
Overall, the weight saving programme for the Eco Elise has resulted in a total saving of around 32 kg (70.5 lbs) over the feather light Elise S, which consequently reduces the fuel required to drive the car.
-
20 Years Later, The Elise S Cup Is Still Offering The Best Thrills
...
-
Iaa 2011: New Lotus Elise S With 220hp And Elise Sps
The most popular car in Lotus' lineup is up for its annual model year upgrade with the presentation of the Elise S that features a new supercharged four-banger and the Elise SPS that utilizes a new lightweight, robotized automated manual transmission....
-
2010 Lotus Elise And Exige: Cleaner And More Fuel Efficient
You'd think that, since the Elise and Exige models are pure-bred sportscars, Lotus wouldn't care much about improving their eco-credentials. Well, apparently that's not the case with Lotus as the British automaker has performed various tweaks...
-
2008 Lotus Elise Range Enhanced With 217 Hp Supercharged Elise Sc
Lotus is gearing up its Elise range for the 2008 Model year with the introduction of the most powerful production Elise to date, the 217 Hp / 220 PS Elise SC. Branded by a new rear spoiler and unique alloy wheel design, the Elise SC is equipped a supercharged...
-
2011 Lotus Elise 1.6l Price Aligns With Nissan 370z - But The Lotus Is 'green'
Slightly restyled, a basic new Lotus Elise now costs £27,450 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, a new Lotus Elise is a much more powerful car but is priced from $47,250. Before you go and point out that £27,450 equals about $40,000 in...
Cars