Lotus Readies New Elise Sport Car

Group Lotus plc plans to launch the next-generation Elise sports car in 2020.

The all-new two-seater will be even lighter and sportier than the current Elise, Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales tells Autocar. Gales vows to maintain the brand’s highly vaunted steering system, which he calls “a core part” of Lotus cars.

The target weight for the new Elise is less than 2,000 lbs, according to the report. Autocar says the roadster will be about the same length as the current model, but it will be slightly wider to accommodate side airbags and structural support to meet U.S. safety regulations.

Lotus is expected to continue to source the rear-wheel-drive car’s 4-cylinder engines and automatic and manual transmissions from Toyota Motor Corp. And it will continue to be the fastest car in its segment, according to Gale.

Like other upcoming Lotus cars, the new Elise is being designed for sale in the U.S. After a two-year hiatus, Lotus is re-entering the market this summer with the revamped Evora 400. The company expects the U.S. to become its biggest market in the future, surpassing current leaders Britain, France, Germany and Japan.