Lotus Elise Series 2 (2001–2011): Specs, Variants and Buying Notes

The Series 2 arrived in 2001 with sharper styling, a stiffer chassis with lower sills, and revised suspension. Its development was funded in part by General Motors, which had Lotus build the related Vauxhall VX220 and Opel Speedster on the same line at Hethel.

Early S2s kept the Rover K-series. The big change came in 2004 with the 111R, which used Toyota's 2ZZ-GE engine and six-speed gearbox: 189 bhp, an 8,000 rpm-plus red line and a second cam profile that comes in with a distinct change of note at about 6,200 rpm. That powertrain allowed Lotus to sell the car in North America from the 2005 model year.

Toyota power also brought ABS, and a reputation for reliability that the K-series cars never had. The supercharged Elise SC of 2008 produced 218 bhp without an intercooler, keeping rear visibility.

Variants

Variant	Years	Notes
Elise (K-series)	2001–2005	120 bhp; also 111S with 156 bhp VVC.
111R / Elise R	2004–2011	189 bhp Toyota 2ZZ-GE, six-speed.
Federal Elise	2005–2011	North American car, 190 hp 2ZZ.
Elise S	2006–2010	134 bhp Toyota 1ZZ-FE, five-speed; the entry model.
Elise SC	2008–2011	Supercharged 2ZZ, 218 bhp.

On a road trip

The best all-round choice for long trips. A Toyota-engined S2 will cross a continent without drama, parts are widely available, and the lower sills make it easier to live with. The 2ZZ needs revs to give its best, which is ideal on hairpin roads where you can hold it on cam in second gear.

What to check

On 2ZZ cars, confirm the high cam engages cleanly; failure to do so often points to low oil level or a lift-bolt problem.
Oil cooler line fittings on 2005–2006 cars, which were subject to a recall in the US.
Front clam damage: the one-piece body sections are expensive to repair and paint.
Worn toe-links and suspension bushes on cars used on track.