K Series Engines and their Application in the Lotus Elise

logo for base Elise

logo for base Elise 111S

logo for base Elise S2
logo for K Series VVC Rover K-series engine, 4-cylinder in-line, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, transversely mid-mounted Rover K-series engine, 4-cylinder in-line, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, VVC,  transversely mid-mounted Rover K-series engine, 4-cylinder in-line, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, Lotus K4 engine management, transversely mid-mounted
Capacity 1796 cc 1796 cc 1796 cc
Max. power 88kW / 118bhp at 5500rpm 107kW / 143bhp at 7000rpm 90kW / 122PS bei 5500min-1
Max. torque 165Nm at 3000rpm 174Nm at 4500rpm 168Nm at 3500rpm
Max. speed 202km/h 213km/h 200km/h
Acceleration 0-100km/h : 5,9s
0-160km/h : 18,0s
0-100km/h : 5,4s
0-160km/h : 14,4s
0-100km/h : 5,7s
0-160km/h : 17,2s
Fuel consumption Urban:         9,6l/100km
Extra urban: 5,7l/100km
Combined:   7,1l/100km
Urban:         9,9l/100km
Extra urban: 5,9l/100km
Combined:   7,3l/100km
Urban:         9,42l/100km
Extra urban: 6,14l/100km
Combined:   7,33l/100km
Transmission Manual 5-speed transaxle driving rear wheels Manual 5-speed transaxle driving rear wheels Manual 5-speed transaxle driving rear wheels

Overall gear ratio incl. final drive

Reverse: 11,82:1
First:      12,49:1
Second:   7,25:1
Third:       5,16:1
Fourth      4,06:1
Fifth         3,03:1
Reverse: 12,60:1
First:      12,26:1
Second:   7,35:1  
Third:       5,50:1 
Fourth:     4,32:1 
Fifth:        3,57:1
Reverse: 12,60:1
First:      12,26:1
Second:   7,35:1  
Third:       5,50:1 
Fourth:     4,32:1 
Fifth:        3,57:1
Speed per 1000rpm Reverse:  9,4km/h
First:       8,9km/h
Second: 15,3km/h
Third:     21,5km/h
Fourth:  27,2km/h
Fifth:     36,8km/h
Reverse:   8,8km/h
First:        9,0km/h
Second:  15,2km/h
Third:      20,3km/h
Fourth:    25,7km/h
Fifth:       31,2km/h
Reverse:   8,8km/h
First:        9,0km/h
Second:  15,2km/h
Third:      20,3km/h
Fourth:    25,7km/h
Fifth:       31,2km/h
Wheelbase 2300mm 2300mm 2300mm
Front track 1440mm 1440mm 1457mm
Rear track 1458mm 1470mm 1503mm
Overall length 3726mm 3734mm 3785mm
Overall width (excluding  mirrors) 1701mm 1730mm 1719mm
Overall width (including  mirrors) 1850mm 1850mm 1850mm
Overall height 1148mm 1148mm 1143mm
Ground clearance 160mm 160mm ?
Body Composite body panels with detachable front and rear clamshells, integral fixed headlights. Composite body panels with detachable front and rear clamshells, integral fixed headlights with clear covers. Spats to accomodate wider rear tires. Composite body panels with detachable front and rear clamshells, integral fixed headlights with optional clear covers. 
Chassis Lotus-designed structure of epoxy bonded aluminium extrusions incorporating steel roll-hoop. Lotus-designed structure of epoxy bonded aluminium extrusions incorporating steel roll-hoop. Lotus-designed structure of epoxy bonded aluminium extrusions incorporating steel roll-hoop.
Suspension Double wishbones with single coilsprings over monotube dampers all-round. Lotus-patented extruded aluminium uprights. Double wishbones with single coilsprings over monotube dampers all-round. Lotus-patented extruded aluminium uprights. Double wishbones with single coilsprings over monotube dampers all-round. Lotus-patented extruded aluminium uprights.
Steering Rack and pinion, non-power assisted. Rack and pinion, non-power assisted. Rack and pinion, non-power assisted.
Wheels Twelve-spoke. 
Front: 5.5Jx15"
Rear:    7Jx16"
Lotus Design 6-Spoke. 
Front:  5.5Jx15"
Rear:   7.5Jx16"
Lotus Design 6-Spoke. 
Front:  5.5Jx16"
Rear:   7.5Jx17"
Tyres Pirelli P Zero
Front: 185/55 R15
Rear:  205/50 R16
Pirelli P Zero
Front: 185/55 R15
Rear:  225/45 R16
Lotus developed Bridgestone tyres
Front: 175/55 R16
Rear:  225/45 R17
Brakes Ventilated iron discs all-round. Lotus/AP Racing front calipers, Brembo rear calipers. Ventilated and cross-drilled iron discs all-round. Lotus/AP Racing opposed-piston alloy front calipers, Brembo rear calipers. Ventilated iron discs all-round. Lotus/AP Racing front calipers, Brembo rear calipers.
Unladen weight 755kg 770kg 756kg
Fuel tank capacity 36,4l 36,4l 36,4l
Fuel grade Unleaded fuel 95 RON min. Unleaded fuel 95 RON min. Unleaded fuel 95 RON min.
Standard equipment  (Date: 01.03.00)
Alloy road wheels (key-bolted), three-way catalytic converter, coded signal imobiliser, cloth  hood, unique Lotus/Nardi steering wheel.
(Date: 01.03.00)
Alloy road wheels (key-bolted), three-way catalytic converter, coded signal imobiliser, cloth  hood, driving lights headlamp covers, rear spoiler, additional headlights, unique Lotus/Nardi steering wheel.
(Date: 01.11.00)
Alloy road wheels (key-bolted), three-way catalytic converter, coded signal imobiliser, cloth  hood, unique Lotus/Nardi steering wheel.
Options Metallic paint:
Audio fitting kit:
Leather trim seats: 
Hard-top: 
Metallic paint: 
Audio fitting kit: 
Leather trim seats: 
Hard-top: 
Sports Tourer Pack and Race Tech Pack including metallic paint, cross-drilled iron disk brakes, leather trim seats, audio fitting kit. Further choosable options like sound system, air condition, sports exhaust etc.