More news from Hethel regarding the Lotus Elise has arrived before the impending London Show. The Elise is treading an ecological path and should be adding an “Eco” signature to its name, which evokes unforgettable track days of times gone past.

The allimiunium chassis and technology come from the Elise S, but the real news is all in the materials: this Eco Elise will include parts made from canvas, environmentally friendly wool, agaves and particularly a new varnish made from a water base which will result in the same colouring as currently seen.

The result is that the car’s manufacturing has a reduced impact on the environment, reducing energy required, and it should also lose a couple more kilos. Solar panels on the roof and gear change indicator are other aspects of this Eco Elise. We’ve just got to be patient while waiting for more information and pics.

Via | Autoblog.com

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Known by know to all long-term Autoblog readers, Chris Harris does a road test of the new Lotus Elise SC, the 220hp supercharged version of the English sportscar which finally adopted the compressed engines from its coupè cousin Exige. On the Elise volumetrics are different, developed exclusively by Lotus and in particular the Exige’s intercooler, which completely closes the driver’s rear vision, is not included.

Positive notes include the performance, combined with reasonable consumption, but of particular attention is the handling, supported by a feather-light weight (although a long way from the Elise S1), and the Yokohama tyres specific to this version.

Chris, in love with the SC, doesn’t take long to praise Lotus’ choice of persuing the aim of lighter and less powerful cars, in such a way as to maintain the sporty characteristics, adapting to the ever more stringent laws on consumption and emission, compared to the German counterparts.

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