Lotus 2004 Eleven Service Notes page 16

Lotus Service Notes
MODEL HISTORY MILESTONES (does not include all special editions)
Elise 111R Introduction: January 2004
VIN character 4 = P; Character 13 = 3; Serial number from 0970
Note that the serial number sequence is shared with other Elise variants.
Changes from previous model include: Toyota powertrain with 1.8 litre VVTL-i engine and 6-speed trans-
mission. Twin exhaust tailpipes exiting through centre of diffuser. Larger fuel tank with new pump. Revised
chassis rail rear ends, new rear subframe, revised seat belt mounting frame backstays. Revised rear suspen-
sion wishbones, springs and dampers. ABS brake control with vacuum servo. Revised front bonnet grilles
and access covers.
2004 Exige Introduction: March 2004
VIN character 4 = P; Character 13 = 8; Serial number from 1092
Note that the serial number sequence is shared with other Elise variants.
Differences compared with Elise 111R include: Restyled front and rear clamshells with roof scoop, new
tailgate panel and strut mounted rear aerofoil. Front body splitter panel. Re-styled road wheels, wider on the
front, and Yokohama A048 tyres.
2005 M.Y. Elise for North America: May 2004
VIN character 10 = 5; Character 12 = L; Serial number from 0001
Note that the serial number sequence is shared with other Elise variants when '05 M.Y. is adopted for
those models later in the year.
Differences compared with Elise 111R include: Driver and passenger airbags, pyrotechnic seat belt pre-
tensioners; Re-styled fascia and dashboard structure; Front speakers moved onto top surface of fascia, stow-
age pockets incorporated into dashboard end panels, fixed windscreen demist vents. Engine start button in
driver's side switch panel. Revised springs and dampers, Yokohama AD07 tyres. Side marker lamps on front
and rear wheelarch lips. Revised fuel system with fuel filler flap.
Lotus Sport Exige 240R: March 2005
Limited edition of 50 units produced as post registration official factory conversions of '05 Exige by the
Lotus Sport workshops at Hethel, for U.K. and certain overseas territories. The car is not identifiable from the
VIN coding.
Differences compared to standard Exige include: 243 bhp engine upgrade using Eaton M62 supercharger
with integral by-pass valve, air/air chargecooler and 5th fuel injector. Re-programmed ECU. Accusump.
Stiffened springs & Ohlins adjustable dampers. Adjustable front anti-roll bar. Chassis rear brace kit. Forged
5-spoke widened roadwheels & Yokohama A048 tyres. Motorsport brake pads, braided hoses, yellow callipers,
Castrol SRF brake fluid. Sport Yellow body colour with black wheels, or Sport Black body with silver wheels.
Black interior with yellow inserts. 4-point harnesses, T45 roof hoop and backstays.
2006 M.Y. Introduction: September 2005
VIN character 10 = 6; Serial number restarts at 0001, common to all variants.
Introduction of USA Exige and Canadian Elise.
5-speed Elise remains unchanged.
Differences between 6-speed '06 Elise and '05 include; Electronic throttle control (using no mechanical
cable). Optional Lotus Traction Control (LTC) or Limited Slip Differential (LSD) with LTC. Standard fit Yokohama
AD07 tyres on non-USA cars. Optional forged wheels with new 6.0 in front size. LED rear lamp clusters incor-
porating reflectors (formerly separate), and commonised USA type CHMSL. ProBax seat foams. New body
colours. USA & Canadian Elise; revised fuel tank and evap. loss system. Canadian Elise uses daytime running
lights and clutch down start allow switch. USA Exige similar to non-USA, but with USA airbag interior.
Sports Racer: October 2005
Special paint versions of '06 M.Y. 111R in either Ardent Red with triple Monaco White stripes, or Nightfall
Blue with twin Monaco White stripes. Combined total of 199 units with unique build plate on sill. Forged wheels
(6J on front), AD07 tyres, sport suspension, twin front oil coolers, LTC. Black leather interior with red or blue
stitching, and red or blue 'Elise' embroidered into head restraints. Sports Racer decals.
Page 4
Introduction