Lotus Exige Cup and New Sport Elise Revealed

Limited Edition Elise Sport Ideal for Weekend Track Use

Lotus Sport, the performance subsidiary of Lotus, recently announced a new Lotus Sport Elise for the 2007 model year, as well as a racetrack-ready Lotus Sport Exige Cup.

The modified Exige, a model that is not available in America for road use, will be limited to a mere 15 units for the 2007 model year at $78,990 apiece. The sprint to 60 mph is accomplished in ridiculously quick 4.1 seconds; due to enhanced output of its Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter four-cylinder from 190- to 243-horsepower.

No such straight-line performance upgrade benefits the new 2007 Lotus Sport Elise, but it will be easier to live with on city streets and, more importantly to some, feature the same open-top motoring experience as its somewhat less "sport" oriented sibling (if there could be anything with four wheels sportier than a base Elise).

The Elise Sport, nevertheless, gets a roll cage, upgraded Ohlins suspension, anti-sway bars and a meatier clutch setup. Only 50 units will be available in the North American market, and with a base price of $54,995 each, theyll go fast in more ways than one.

The regular Elise weighs in at less than 2,000 lbs, and together with its 190-horsepower four-cylinder, makes for a spirited performer and one of the best handling cars available anywhere in the world.