Lotus 2004 ELISE Service Notes page 454

Lotus Service Notes
Bonded Body Panels
Front bulkhead
Body inner side panel
All composite panels on the 2-Eleven are designed for light weight consistent with aerodynamic function,
with some panels featuring core mat technology to provide a sandwich construction for enhanced stiffness.
All panels are nevertheless vulnerable to damage caused by inappropriate subjection to bodyweight or other
misapplied forces.
Note: The 2-Eleven is not equipped with conventional shock absorbing bumpers, so extra care should be taken
when parking to guard against body damage. The Lotus 2-Eleven does not offer the same kind and degree of
impact resistance or energy absorption afforded by normal bumper systems. Some panels, including the front
quarter panels and 'A' panels, have sacrificial functions to help reduce repair costs and damage to the front
body section in minor accidents.
Care is also required, due to the low ground clearance, to guard against chassis underside damage caused
by ramps, kerbs and road humps. Note that the front splitter panel is constructed from timber composite,
sealed by a layer of resin, and that the occasional grounding of this panel, which is a normal occurrence under
track conditions, will cause erosion of the outer layer, requiring periodic repair (water absorption may promote
eventual de-lamination) or replacement.
Engine Lid
A removable panel in the rear body is secured by two recessed 'Aerocatches' and provides access to the
engine for maintenance operations.
To remove the cover, at each latch, press the smaller section of the flush fitting latch plate to allow the
latch plate lever to spring up. Fully raise the lever to release the latch. Lift the rear of the panel, and then draw
rearwards to disengage the front flange from beneath the rear scuttle, before lifting the panel forwards and over
the rear aerofoil. Park the panel where it is unlikely to be damaged or blown away by wind.
To refit, rest the panel on the two rubber buffers at the front of the body aperture and slide forwards to
engage the tang bracket at each side of the panel, beneath the body edge adjacent to the roll bar backstays,
and the panel front flange beneath the rear scuttle edge. Press down the two latch levers to engage the retain-
ing pins, finally pressing the small buttons to allow the lever ends to be captured. Ensure that each lever is
correctly clipped shut, and flush with the body surface.
Rear Transom/Bumper Panel
The rear transom panel is screw fixed in the following manner:
- At each side, an angle bracket bonded to the underside of the transom top surface is secured by two
screws to the aerofoil mounting strut.
- A row of screws secures the lower edge of the panel to the muffler alloy heatshield, which is itself screwed
to the rear subframe.
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2-Eleven
Body inner side panel
Rear bulkhead
(also bonded to rear
scuttle panel)
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