The Elise's award-winning ride & handling can be traced back to each individual mechanical component designed and developed for performance to reward the driver with exceptional control and feedback.

Sharp communicative steering, quick throttle response, precise braking and efficient aerodynamics all contribute to the Lotus experience of inspiring performance, phenomenal road-holding and extraordinary stability. World-renowned motorsport-bred companies including AP-Racing, Bilstein, Brembo, Bridgestone and Eibach are responsible for the joint development and supply of key components. This attention to detail creates a sports car with unrivalled dynamic performance, unique transitional composure and peerless cornering ability.

Cornering Performance

The unequalled cornering performance of the Elise is mainly due to minimum vehicle mass (unladen mass - 785kg*) and a low centre of gravity (400mm above ground level). These two factors, combined with a short wheelbase (2300mm), a relatively wide track (front - 1457mm, rear - 1503mm**) and minimum front and rear overhangs (front - 783mm, rear - 702mm), greatly increase responsiveness in transient cornering thus virtually eliminating the time lag that exists between driver steering input and vehicle dynamic output. Furthermore, the tyres provide an intimate connection between the driver and the road surface offering a channel of communication through which even the subtlest changes in the Elise's dynamic behaviour are instantly noticeable. This is true even when cornering on the limit - proven to be in excess of 1g of lateral acceleration - at which point the handling is still progressive allowing the driver to be in total control.

* Unladen mass is based on a vehicle in running order with a full tank of fuel, no occupants and no luggage; this figure is dependent upon vehicle model and specification.

** Rear track for Elise 111R is 1507mm.

Steering Precision

The steering geometry of the Elise is designed to react to each driver input and respond with an equal and thus predictable dynamic output; the linear, natural consistency of the car's responses allows the driver to explore and utilise its full potential.

The feedback from the steering wheel is undiluted yet not intrusive allowing the driver to quickly gain confidence through involvement for the ultimate driving experience. To achieve this, the Elise is equipped with a solidly mounted, mechanical rack-and-pinion steering box with a ratio of 2.8 turns lock-to-lock. The mounting arrangement coupled with the unique steering geometry ensures that the vehicle reacts to each minute steering correction with precision and razor-sharp response. Steering forces are initially low for ease of use and build up very progressively with a proportional increase in cornering speed; jolts from irregularities in the road surfaces are filtered out by the specially developed Bridgestone tyres and the specifically tailored valving of the Bilstein dampers.