Segment:
Ultra-lightweight, driver-focused sports car positioned as a pure driving experience.
Competitors:
Porsche Boxster, Honda S2000, BMW Z3, Alfa Romeo GTV.
Design Philosophy:
Minimalist design, extruded aluminum chassis, composite body panels for exceptional lightness and rigidity.
Handling Focus:
Renowned for its sublime handling, steering feel, and communicative chassis.
Utility For Owner:
Essential for owners seeking to maintain, diagnose, and repair their Elise to factory specifications.
Powertrain:
Engine, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system, transmission, clutch.
Chassis:
Frame, suspension (front and rear), steering, wheels, tires.
Braking:
Brake system, hydraulic lines, calipers, discs, ABS (if equipped).
Electrical:
Wiring diagrams, lighting, ignition, starting, charging system, instrumentation, ECUs.
Body And Trim:
Body panels, doors, latches, windows, interior trim, convertible top (if applicable).
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance, fluid changes, filter replacements, lubrication.
Repair And Overhaul:
Engine rebuild, transmission repair, suspension component replacement, brake system overhauls.
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting guides, fault codes, diagnostic procedures for all major systems.
Disassembly And Assembly:
Step-by-step instructions for removal and installation of components.
Depth:
In-depth, covering complete rebuilds, detailed diagnostics, and specialized procedures.
Engine Type:
Mid-mounted, transverse inline-4 (Rover K-Series).
Displacement:
1796 cc (1.8 Liters)
Bore X Stroke:
80.0 mm x 89.3 mm
Compression Ratio:
10.5:1
Valve Train:
DOHC, 16 valves, Variable Valve Control (VVC) on some variants.
Horsepower:
118 hp (120 PS) at 5500 rpm (standard), 135 hp (137 PS) at 6000 rpm (VVC).
Torque:
120 lb-ft (163 Nm) at 4000 rpm (standard), 122 lb-ft (166 Nm) at 4750 rpm (VVC).
Induction:
Multi-point fuel injection (MPI), Bosch Motronic ECU.
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline, 95 RON recommended.
ECM Type:
Bosch Motronic M1.5.4 (typically)
Type:
5-speed manual transaxle.
Gear Ratios 1-5:
3.167 / 1.947 / 1.308 / 1.034 / 0.838 (typical, subject to variation)
Final Drive Ratio:
3.933 (typical)
Clutch:
Hydraulically operated, single dry plate.
Transmission Fluid:
API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 (e.g., Castrol Syntrans B 75W-90 or equivalent).
Crash Test Results:
Not comprehensively tested by modern NHTSA/Euro NCAP standards due to its low-volume, specialized nature. Primarily focused on occupant protection through chassis design.
ABS:
Optional on early models, standard on later variants and UK/EU market cars.
Traction Control:
Rarely fitted as standard on this generation.
Airbags:
Driver airbag standard, passenger airbag optional/market dependent.
Chassis Safety:
Integral safety cage within the extruded aluminum chassis for exceptional structural integrity.
Audio System:
Basic AM/FM radio with CD player (market dependent), often aftermarket upgrades are common.
Instrumentation:
Analog gauges for speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level.
Cruise Control:
Typically not fitted as standard.
Connectivity Features:
Minimal; primarily focused on the driving experience, not integrated electronic features.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Major Service Interval:
Every 40,000 miles (64,000 km) or 48 months, including timing belt replacement.
Engine Oil Type:
Fully synthetic 5W-40 or 5W-50 meeting API SL/CF or ACEA A3/B3 standards.
Coolant Type:
Ethylene glycol-based coolant with anti-corrosion additives (e.g., Lotus High Performance Coolant or equivalent).
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4, high-performance synthetic brake fluid.
Head Gasket K Series:
The Rover K-Series engine is known for potential head gasket failures due to its 'floating' liner design. Regular coolant level checks and proper bleeding are crucial. The manual will detail specific procedures to mitigate this.
Clutch Slave Cylinder:
Can be prone to leaks; manual will cover replacement procedures.
Aluminum Chassis Corrosion:
While generally robust, the extruded aluminum chassis can be susceptible to corrosion in certain environments; manual will advise on inspection and treatment.
Lotus Legacy:
Continuation of Lotus Cars' philosophy: 'For the Driver', emphasizing lightweight, pure driving dynamics, and motorsport heritage.
Series 1 Debut:
Launched in 1996, the 2000 model year represents an early production Series 1 Elise.
K Series Engine:
The Rover K-Series engine was a common powerplant for Lotus in this era, known for its compact size and lightness.
Manufacturing Location:
Hethel, Norfolk, United Kingdom.
Production Period S1:
1996 - 2001
Automotive Press Acclaim:
Consistently praised by automotive journalists for its peerless handling and driver engagement. Frequently cited as a benchmark for lightweight sports cars.
Driving Dynamics Rating:
Exceptional, often receiving perfect scores for steering feel, chassis feedback, and agility.
