The ultimate Elise, the Cup 250 is the best the Elise has ever been, its got great quality too.

• Fastest, most focused four-cylinder Lotus sports car ever
• 0-60 mph in 3.9 secs, 243 hp & from 283 hp per tonne
• Concentrates spirit of latest Elise for new Cup variant
• Advanced lightweight materials cut weight to 860 kg
• Available to order from Lotus dealers now

Punching well above its weight, the new Lotus Elise Cup 250 offers a scintillating blend of purity of purpose with performance at the apex of the recently revised Elise range.

Supercharged, lightweight and distilled from Lotus’ extensive motorsport knowhow, the new model packs 243 hp into a chassis designed to deliver the benchmark in responsive handling and haptic feedback. The car’s enhanced aerodynamics come from a number of additions including a new lightweight rear wing, front splitter, bargeboards and rear diffuser contributing to 125 kg of downforce at 140 mph.

As the latest car to receive the Cup treatment, the new Lotus Elise Cup 250 bridges the gap between road and track to offer racecar capabilities in a package that can be used every day. Focused on cutting weight and boosting performance, Lotus’ development team has built on the significant updates introduced for the latest Elise, which has already been hailed as a five-star car by the international motoring press. 

Dry weight has been reduced to just 884 kg (or 860 kg with all lightweight options) and the adoption of advanced lightweight materials including carbon fibre, titanium and aluminium has helped to cut kilos from crucial areas leading to a 0-60 mph in 3.9 secs and a power to weight of 283 hp per tonne.

The Elise Cup 250 carries the new visual identity, first introduced on the new Elise Sport and Sprint models. Changes to the body include a redesigned lightweight front clam panel with wider radiator apertures and mesh pattern grille, and a new design of rear transom panel featuring two light clusters, rather than four, visually enhancing the design.

The Elise Cup 250 also includes a number of high-performance additions unique to this model. These include revised dampers and ultra-lightweight forged wheels with Yokohama Advan A048 LTS tyres – 225/45 ZR17 at the rear and 195/50 ZR16 at the front.

Announcing the new car, Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc said, “The Elise Cup 250 is the latest edition in an exciting period for the company which has seen us launch a number of very special new cars across our entire range. We know what existing Lotus enthusiasts demand from our cars and we are also bringing in many new customers who can see clearly that we offer an unrivalled combination of performance, styling, dynamics and value for money. A Lotus rewards like no other car, with sharp handling, tremendous speed and a pure, undiluted driving experience. The power and aerodynamic prowess of the new Elise Cup 250 has taken the fight beyond the reach of lesser rivals and, at just 860 kg, it shows that we are ahead of the curve in delivering lightweight, intelligently engineered sports cars.”

The best Elise yet

Cementing its reputation as a purebred driver’s car, the new Elise Cup 250 sets the standard for two-seater sports cars thanks to its winning combination of efficient engineering, agility, grip and speed. Cut from the same cloth as the recently released Exige Cup 380, it’s every inch a track car – but with road-going manners.

Reserved for only the most focused models, the Cup moniker distinguishes Hethel’s highest-evolved sports cars from their stable mates, with the Cup editions sure to become iconic and collectable models in the years to come. Expounding the company’s “simplify, then add lightness” mantra to the next level – it eradicates all but the essential from each model to produce a reference point for handling and performance.

Launched to the media earlier this year, the latest version of the Lotus Elise has retained its trademark handling, but added a number of enhancements which have been rolled out across the range. In addition to the redesigned lightweight clam panels front and rear, the Elise Cup 250’s aerodynamic changes modify airflow over, under and around the car to increase downforce, equivalent to 125 kg at 140 mph, allowing harder and faster cornering and more stability.

Providing 243 hp, the Elise’s all-alloy 1.8-litre engine with chargecooled supercharger, allows the Cup 250 to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.9 secs before reaching its top speed of 154 mph. Helping amplify the driving experience, Hethel’s acoustic engineers have further improved the exhaust note, so the Elise Cup 250 now features a stunning soundtrack as standard. An optional full exhaust system in titanium is available which removes a further 7 kg from beyond the rear axle.

Perfectly complementing the car’s personality, the Elise’s slick six-speed manual gearbox uses Lotus’ beautifully detailed open-gate design. First introduced on the Exige Sport 350, but optimised for the Elise, it provides a much more positive and direct operation – giving faster, cleaner gear changes.

Benefiting from the recent weight savings delivered across the Elise range, the Elise Cup 250 is a significant 14 kg lighter than its predecessor. As standard, the Lotus Elise Cup 250 includes a Lithium-Ion battery, Lotus’ hand crafted carbon race seats, ultra-lightweight motorsport forged alloy wheels and a polycarbonate rear screen, all of which combine with optional weight-saving components to deliver a benchmark power to weight ratio of 283 hp per tonne.

The Elise Cup 250 features fully independent double wishbone suspension and a front anti-roll bar, coupled with Bilstein high-performance dampers and Eibach coaxial coil springs front and rear. Compared to the Elise Sport and Sprint models, damper rates for the Elise Cup 250 are higher (compression: 12% front / 9% rear and rebound: 20% front / 30% rear).

AP Racing twin-piston front and Brembo single-piston rear calipers with cross drilled and ventilated 288 mm diameter brake discs, front and rear, provide stopping power, with new optional lightweight two-piece brake discs providing the opportunity to save a further 4 kg. Like the other 1.8-litre Elise models, the Cup 250 benefits from driver selectable ESP driving modes (Drive / Sport / Off). To maximise traction, and to make the most of the aerodynamic downforce and firmer damping, the Elise Cup 250 uses Yokohama Advan A048 LTS tyres which are equally suited to both road and track and provide phenomenal grip and under a broad range of temperatures and conditions.

Adding to the Elise’s strong and torsionally stiff chassis architecture, the Cup 250 also features a T45 steel roll over bar as standard.

The Elise Cup 250’s cabin bears the hallmarks of a beautifully handcrafted high-performance sports car, including Lotus’ in-house manufactured carbon race seats, clad in black Alcantara® with contrast red or yellow stitching; the trim design is carried through to the door panels and face-level vents, complementing the exposed aluminium and carbon fibre elements of the Elise Cup 250’s cabin.

Interior options include an Alcantara trimmed steering wheel and sill covers, leather or tartan trim packs, bodywork keyed colour inserts for the sports seats, transmission console and HVAC surround, and additional weight saving carbon components including face-level vents (-0.3 kg), HVAC surrounds (-0.1 kg), and sill covers (-0.8 kg). As well as saving weight, the optional, lightweight carbon fibre sill covers provide easier ingress and egress thanks to a 10mm lower profile.

Buyers wanting to extract extra kilos from the car can select the beautifully finished optional Carbon Aero Pack, which adds a composite front splitter, rear wing and side boards (saving 3.7 kg), whilst further weight savings can come from separately specified carbon items including a hard-top (-3 kg), front access panel (-1.1 kg), roll-over hoop cover (-0.7 kg) and engine cover (-3.3 kg).

The Elise’s instrument panel features new graphics, making it easier to read, and a new in-car entertainment system, including iPod® connectivity and Bluetooth® functionality and uprated speakers, can also be selected when ordering.

Every new Lotus Elise Cup 250 customer can personalise their vehicle through the Lotus Exclusive programme. Developed by the Lotus Design team, it combines traditional British craftsmanship with the best of modern design. Conceived to inspire customers, allowing them to tailor vehicles to their personal taste, it offers a comprehensive array of options and provides an alluring alternative to an off-the-peg sports car.

ELISE CUP 250 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

PERFORMANCE	ELISE CUP 250
Max power	243 hp at 7200 rpm (246 PS) (181 kW)
Max torque	184 lbft at 3500-5500 rpm (250 Nm)
0-60 mph	3.9 seconds
0-100 km/h	4.3 seconds
Max speed	154 mph (248 km/h)
Fuel Consumption mpg (l/100 km)
Urban Extra Urban Combined	28.0 (10.1) 47.1 (6.0) 37.7 (7.5)
CO2 emissions	175 g/km
Kerb weight	917 kg
Dry weight	884 kg
Lightest possible dry weight	860 kg

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

All alloy, 1.8 litre DOHC 4 cylinder, dual VVT-i, 16-valve with chargecooled supercharger

Mid mounted, transverse, rear wheel drive

6 speed manual gearbox with sports ratios

Electronic Differential Lock

CHASSIS AND BODY

Lightweight, extruded aluminium bonded chassis structure

T45 motorsport hoop

Fully independent double wishbone sports suspension with adjustable front anti-roll bar

Bilstein high performance dampers, front and rear

Eibach springs, front and rear

AP Racing twin-piston front calipers and single-piston rear calipers

ABS system

Driver selectable ESP modes

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Lightweight lithium-ion battery

EXTERIOR SPECIFICATION

Aerodynamically optimised rear wing, front splitter, rear diffuser and side floor-extensions

Matt Black painted front access panel, mirror plinths, mirror caps, roll hoop cover and transom panel

Ultra lightweight black forged alloy wheels (16” front and 17” rear)

Front Yokohama Advan A048 LTS tyres 195/50 ZR16

Rear Yokohama Advan A048 LTS tyres 225/45 ZR17

Servo assisted, cross drilled and ventilated brake discs, 288 mm x 26 mm, front and rear

Polycarbonate backlight glass

Black soft-top

Clear sill stone chip protection film

INTERIOR SPECIFICATION

Black Alcantara® trim, with contrast red or yellow stitch including seats, door panels and face-level vents

Carbon fibre sports seats

Black leather trimmed steering wheel

Black leather trimmed sill covers

Exposed gearshift design

Polished aluminum gear knob and leather handbrake sleeve

Engine start push button

Driver and passenger airbags

Tyre puncture repair kit

OPTIONS: INTERIOR AND TRIM	UK RETAIL PRICE	DE RETAIL PRICE
Leather Trim Pack – Black leather, with contrast red or yellow stitch (including seats, door panels and face-level vents)	£1,000	€ 1,400
Tartan Trim Pack – Yellow or Red tartan inserts, with contrast red or yellow stitching (including seats and door panels)	£1,000	€ 1,400
Black Alcantara® trimmed sill covers	£200	€ 270
Black Alcantara® trimmed steering wheel	£300	€ 400
Interior Colour Pack – Seat eyelets, centre console surround, HVAC surround and window lift switch bezel painted in red, yellow, silver, orange, black or white	£400	€ 560
Full carpet	£350	€ 490
Floor mats	£100	€ 140

OPTIONS: EXTERIOR AND BODY	UK RETAIL PRICE	DE RETAIL PRICE
Matt Black painted hard-top	£1,000	€ 1,400
Red painted brakes callipers (from August 2017)	£350	€ 490
Ultra lightweight silver forged alloy wheels (16” front and 17” rear)	NCO	NCO

OPTIONS: COMFORT AND COMMUNICATION	UK RETAIL PRICE	DE RETAIL PRICE
Air conditioning	£1,250	€ 1,650
Bluetooth enabled stereo plus two front mounted speakers	£400	€ 560
Sound insulation	£350	€ 490
Cruise control	£110	€ 150
Standard battery	NCO	NCO

OPTIONS: LIGHTWEIGHT AND PERFORMANCE	WEIGHT SAVING	UK RETAIL PRICE	DE RETAIL PRICE
Carbon Aero Pack – Front splitter, rear wing and side boards in carbon fibre	3.7kg	£3,400	€ 4,700
Carbon fibre hard-top	3 kg	£3,000	€ 4,000
Carbon fibre access panel	1.1 kg	£900	€ 1,250
Carbon fibre engine cover	3.3 kg	£1,600	€ 2,200
Carbon fibre roll-hoop cover	0.7 kg	£1,000	€ 1,400
Carbon fibre sill covers	0.8 kg	£1,200	€ 1,680
Carbon fibre face-level vents	0.3 kg	£1,400	€ 1,950
Carbon fibre HVAC surround	0.1 kg	£400	€ 550
Titanium exhaust	7 kg	£4,000	€ 5,500
Two-piece high-performance brake discs	4 kg	£1,500	€ 2,000
Airbag deletion and non-airbag steering wheel	-	£1,000	€ 1,400
Harness cross bar and 4 point harness [only in combination with airbag deletion] (4 point harness supplied via Lotus Aftersales for dealer fitment post registration)	-	£1,600	€ 2,200
Fire extinguisher and battery isolator	-	£2,800	€ 3,900
Front and rear towing eyes (supplied via Lotus Aftersales for dealer fitment post registration)	-	£295	€ 420

PAINT OPTIONS	UK RETAIL PRICE	DE RETAIL PRICE
Signature paint	£825	€ 1,155
Metallic paint	£825	€ 1,155

LOTUS EXCLUSIVE OPTIONS	UK RETAIL PRICE	DE RETAIL PRICE
Exclusive Paint: Alternative metallic colours	£1,860	€ 2,600
Exclusive Paint: Alternative pearlescent colours	£2,850	€ 4,000
Exclusive Paint: Custom colour choice	POA	POA
Exclusive Leather: Alternative colour	£2,250	€ 3,000
Exclusive Stitch: Alternative colour	£300	€ 400
The above options represent just a sample of what is available through Lotus Exclusive. Further information on the Lotus Exclusive programme, including a comprehensive list of the available customisation options can be found at:

ELISE CUP 250 – VEHICLE PRICING

MARKET	RETAIL PRICE
UK	£47,400 (incl. VAT at 20%)
Germany	€62,600 (incl. VAT at 19%)
France	€63,130 (incl. VAT at 20%)
Italy	€66,540 (incl. VAT at 22%)
Japan	¥9,150,000 (incl. VAT at 8%)

GENEVA - Dacia to launch a new Special Edition on its range of popular cars.

Dacia will launch a new special edition version for the Duster, Sandero Stepway and the New Logan MCV Stepway at Geneva International Motor Show on 7^th March. 

The Summit special editions will be based upon the highest equipment level and will stand out in particular through two exclusive exterior colour options: Nordic Grey or Magma Orange (Sandero Stepway only). 

In the Stepway range, these new colours will be complemented by 16-inch Grey Flex wheels, while the Duster will sport 16-inch diamond-cut black Cyclades alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, these special edition models boast exclusive dual-material upholstery. The seats are instantly recognisable thanks to their Burnt Orange piping and top-stitching, plus the word ‘Stepway’ embroidered into the fabric in the same colour. The carpet mats are similarly finished with Burnt Orange top-stitching.

The same Burnt Orange detailing is to be found on the centre console cover and air vent surrounds.

This special edition is based on the Lauréate trim to include air conditioning, Media Nav Evolution multimedia system, rear parking sensors, DAB radio and cruise control with speed limiter.

The Duster also features wheel arch guards and protective side mouldings.

The Summit special editions will be available with the same engines as the Stepway and Duster ranges.

Pricing for the Summit special edition range will be announced closer to the on sale date in Spring 2017.

Dacia launches an all new Stepway model based on the popular Logan MCV Estate.

• Following in the tracks of the Sandero, it is now the turn of the Logan MCV to join Dacia’s Stepway family.
• The new Logan MCV Stepway enhances its credentials as a thoroughly modern and generously-proportioned estate car with a distinctly rugged look.
• Playing to its major strength of practicality, the new Logan MCV Stepway carries over all the key qualities of the Logan MCV, from its impressively spacious interior space – including five proper seats – to a 573-litre boot, which is amongst the largest in any segment of the market.
• New limited-edition S.E. Summit versions for each member of the Stepway family and the Duster.
• The brand continues to grow and achieved record sales figures in 2016. In the 44 different markets in which Dacia is active, it sold 584,219 vehicles in total, representing a year-on-year increase of six per cent.

The Stepway family, one of Dacia’s biggest success stories, maintains its growing momentum with the addition of a fifth member to the Dacia range – the new Logan MCV Stepway – following the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Duster and Logan MCV.

The new Logan MCV Stepway sports an undeniably muscular build, with an assertive personality that draws inspiration from the world of crossover styling, offering first class practicality and vast load space at an extremely competitive price.

The generously proportioned new Logan MCV Stepway carries over all the key qualities of the Logan MCV:

• Impressive interior space, with five proper seats
• A 573-litre boot – amongst the largest in any segment of the automotive market

On the design front, the new Logan MCV Stepway has a distinctly modern edge, including a new lighting signature, new interior updates, additional storage space and upgraded equipment specifications.

Distinctive styling

With its rugged good looks, eye-catching features and generous specification, the new Logan MCV Stepway is clearly a member of the Stepway family.

For easier ingress, its ground clearance has been increased to 174mm – 50mm more than that of the Logan MCV, while its high-up driving position ensures outstanding visibility.

At the front, the new Logan MCV Stepway sports a two-tone bumper as well as a satin-effect chrome skid plate, plus the fitment of fog lights. 

The model similarly incorporates Dacia’s new lighting signature unveiled at last year’s Paris Motor Show and which imbues it with a dynamic and thoroughly contemporary appearance, with headlights that now incorporate LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) in the form of four stacked rectangles. 

This modern design results in a visibly wider look for the front end of the new Logan MCV Stepway.

The front bumper has been modified to exude an elegant yet athletic stance. Like the other models in the Stepway line-up, the new Logan MCV Stepway’s grille mirrors the black elements of the two-tone bumper, with the chrome rectangles rounding off its distinctive style in much the same manner as the Duster. 

Meanwhile, seen from the side, the wheel arches and sills are accentuated by an exclusive trim that emphasises the model’s bold, powerful feel. 

The new Logan MCV Stepway also comes with Dark Metal door mirror housings and Stepway decals on the front doors, along with Dark Metal longitudinal roof bars which further emphasise the model’s estate car lines.

At the rear, the tail lights are picked out in black, while the new Logan MCV Stepway’s two-tone bumper and satin-effect chrome skid plate are characteristic cues of Dacia’s Stepway range.

The new Logan MCV Stepway comes in a choice of two colours at launch – namely the brand’s iconic Azurite Blue and Mink – combined with new, 16-inch Stepway Dark Metal Flexwheel wheels. This smart, economical and attractive system comprises a slotted wheel trim design that fits over a similarly slotted rim.

A modern interior with more features than ever before

Inside the cabin, the new Logan MCV Stepway enjoys a new, more status-enhancing ambience first introduced several months ago in the new Sandero. This can be seen in the satin-effect chrome door releases, while the centre console fascia and air vents are trimmed by similarly-coloured surrounds.

The new Logan MCV Stepway comes with Dacia’s new four-spoke steering wheel – complete with horn push in the centre – in the brand’s Soft Feel finish, making it highly durable, easy on the eye and pleasant to the touch. The steering wheel mounted-controls are now better integrated, resulting in a more user-friendly and comfortable driving experience. In the middle of the wheel, beneath the Dacia logo, the word ‘Stepway’ is picked out in blue.

The upholstery fabric selected for the new Logan MCV Stepway first appeared inside the new Sandero Stepway. These seats feature a 3D weave for a greater sensation of depth, enhanced by top-stitching. The overall effect is an even more dynamic design.

More extensively equipped for enhanced comfort

The new Logan MCV Stepway will be available in Laureate trim only, featuring MediaNav Evolution, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, DAB radio and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Leather upholstery, reverse parking camera and height adjustment package are also available.

The vehicle’s interior features have been conceived to take the strain out of everyday motoring. The door-mounted front and rear electric window switches fall more easily to hand than before. For enhanced comfort, drivers now benefit from a one-touch function and a retractable centre armrest incorporated into the seat. Last but not least, the model is fitted with one-touch direction indicators and a lit glove box.

In addition to the many stowage areas located conveniently throughout the cabin, rear passengers are pampered by a ceiling light and a 12V power supply to connect and charge portable devices.

The new Logan MCV Stepway will be available with a choice of engine and transmission options:

• Petrol: TCe 90 with Stop & Start (S&S) mated to a five-speed manual gearbox (combined cycle fuel consumption: 5.1 litres/100km / CO₂ emissions: 115g/km).
• Diesel: dCi 90 S&S coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox (combined cycle fuel consumption: 3.9 litres/100km / CO₂ emissions: 100g/km).

Dacia continues to break its own sales records

In 2016, in the 44 markets in which Dacia models are sold, the brand achieved sales of some 584,219 units, representing a year-on-year gain of six percent. This positive trend can be seen across all of the regions in which Dacia is active, with no fewer than 28 countries establishing either new market share or new sales records.

The brand’s share of the passenger car and LCV market expanded by 0.1 percentage points to 2.4 percent in Europe, by 0.2 percentage points to 7.9 percent in Eurasia and by 1.1 percentage points to 19.4 percent in the Maghreb region.

• In Europe, Dacia’s sales totalled 415,010 units – a new record and an increase of 10.8 per cent. The Sandero was ranked fourth in the B segment for retail customers, with the Duster second in the C segment for retail customers and the best-selling SUV in the same segment.
• In France, Dacia reported a 12.1 per cent rise in overall sales to 112,111 vehicles, setting a new record as more than 110,529 passenger cars were sold to retail customers. Sales of the Sandero climbed by 24.2 per cent to make it the number two model amongst retail customers in France, with Dacia the fourth-highest selling retail customer brand.
• In its other European markets, Dacia saw its sales increase by 10.4 per cent to 302,899 units. In Italy, the brand posted record sales of 52,272 units – a gain of 11.6 per cent. The brand was similarly successful in the UK, achieving sales of 26,562 (up 1.1 per cent) in a stable, business customer-oriented market. A new record was also established in Poland, as sales rose an impressive 29.3 per cent to 19,275 units.
• In Switzerland, too, the brand enjoyed excellent growth, gaining 0.7 percentage points of market share to attain a new high of 2.2 per cent. This represented Dacia’s best year to-date in the country as it increased its sales by 39.9 per cent to 7,824 units.
• In those Eurasian markets where it has a presence, Dacia has gained 0.2 percentage points to earn a market share of 7.9 per cent, with sales up by 5.8 per cent to a total of 90,926 units. The brand remains the market leader in both Romania and Bulgaria. In the former, Dacia sold 38,861 vehicles in 2016 to claim a 29.6 per cent share of the market. In Turkey, meanwhile, the brand broke new records in terms of both vehicle sales (47,529 units, up 6.3 per cent) and market share (4.8 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points).
• In the Maghreb, Dacia’s market share stands at 19.4 per cent with 66,165 sales in 2016 – an increase of 1.1 per cent. The brand is performing particularly well in Israel, where the first Dacia showroom opened its doors only two years ago and where 4,246 sales – a climb of 65 per cent – provided the brand with a 1.5 per cent share of the market. Dacia continues to lead the way, finally, in terms of vehicle sales in Morocco with a market share of 26.6 per cent, translating into 43,408 vehicle sales in 2016 (up 16.1 per cent).

Over the last 12 years, Dacia has sold more than four million vehicles. Today, the brand stands out as a major player in the automotive market thanks to its clear policy of manufacturing attractive models that provide real value for money for the equipment they pack.

Dacia’s models are built at four different factories on two continents, with plants in Pitesti (Romania), Tangier and Casablanca (Morocco), and Oran (Algeria). The company’s policy is to produce as close as possible to its markets in order to adapt to the different needs of its customers as closely as possible.

In its attractive product range, Dacia is a popular thanks to its active community of followers, with some 3.5 million fans across its various social networks.