Lotus S Cup is race-bred and road ready

LOTUS has developed a road-going version of its hardcore Elise S Cup R racecar and it may bring its serious circuit-honed aerodynamics to Australian streets and tracks.

Lotus' Test and Development team created the Elise S Cup by taming down the track-only R version, but ensured the performance and handling was still so good that its racing pedigree still shines through.

The R-inspired body kit not only makes the Elise S Cup look like its ready to race, it is highly effective, too. Its front splitter, winglets, barge boards, rear diffuser, rear wing and fixed roof all worked together to produce 66kg of downforce at 160km/h.

That type of downforce means the Elise S Cup can get around Lotus’s Hethel test track in the United Kingdom three seconds faster than the regular Elise S despite having the same 163kW/250Nm 1.8-litre supercharged four cylinder engine.

Chief executive officer of Group Lotus Jean-Marc Gales said the Elise S Cup is for drivers who want a genuine sportscar for the road.

“The Lotus Elise S Cup is all about the pure driving experience with the Lotus attributes of high performance, light weight and excellent ride and handling,” Mr Gales said.

“It is perfect for the driver who desires a quick, authentic, desirable and competitive sports car.”

Lotus believes the Elise S Cup will be bought by drivers who are looking for a road car that they can also take to track days, and a competition roll hoop is fitted as standard along with a number of other track-focused options.

Pricing in the UK start from £43,500 ($A75,260), but Lotus Cars Australia said it is still evaluating whether to bring it into the country.

If it does arrive Down Under, buyers can expect to pay more than the regular Elise S’s asking price of $84,990, excluding on-road costs.