Lotus Elise S2 Sports Racer | Private PH Area

There’s been a lot of S1 Lotus Elise content on PH lately, from our PH25 winner to Analogue Automotive’s reimagining and some gorgeous auction cars. All more than deserved, of course, because nothing embodies the genius of Lotus (and all the things we love on PH) better than the first Elise. But it wasn’t just the original that was pretty good…

“After the S1 has received so much justifiable attention over the last few months,” the email to PH says, “perhaps it’s time to take another look at the S2”; We can only agree, very good pitch, Paul. So here’s his S2, up for sale; Even as a sports racer it was something very special and had more than just the muscle car stripes.

Limited editions are just as much a part of the Elise story as round taillights and extruded aluminum. The sports racer already had a good start with the lively Toyota 1.8 VVTi-L engine with 190 hp and 8,200 rpm. To this base Lotus added better Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs as well as pretty much all the optional 111R extras of the time: the newly introduced Lotus traction control was standard equipment, as were the Sport and Touring packages, plus the hardtop and the beautiful lightweight forged model wheels.

These saved 1.2kg per corner and were fitted with Yokohama Advan tires instead of the standard Bridgestones. Combine all of this with a redesign of the pedal box for easier heel and toe movements and new seats, and it’s clear that the Sports Racer was more than the usual badging and special paint job.

It was also rare, with only 100 British cars offered in red or blue and there were probably far fewer of them. This 2006 car still has less than 50,000 miles on it and has a long history (18 services in 18 years!). It also benefits from a recent suspension refresh by specialist Steve Guglielmi, which is said to “further improve this car’s excellent handling”. The condition is not perfect, but very good. Basically, there’s no reason not to continue driving and enjoying this pretty little Lotus.

It is being sold to provide the next generation with driving lessons and a first car; As great as an Elise is, she’s probably not ideal for a 17 year old! Still, Paul’s loss will be someone else’s gain. It’s hard to imagine the best S2 Elises of all time being anything less than highly prized sports cars, with this one currently costing just over £20,000. And if anyone has an S3 Elise being sold to complete the trio, you know where we are…