Lightweight Lotus for Oz

LOTUS will launch the super-light Elise Club Racer (CR) in Australia in July.

The company’s regional manager for South East Asia, Christian Pauketat, told GoAuto that plans are now underway to launch the Club Racer here.

“We are intending to bring this variant of the Elise model range to Australia. I would expect the launch to take place some time in July, of course depending on the logistics,” he said.

There was some question on whether the Elise CR would be imported, due to the anticipated change of Lotus distribution from Malaysian parent company Proton to Ateco Automotive, due to take place around April.

Powered by the base Elise’s existing 100kW/160Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the CR is 25kg lighter as a result of replacing the retractable soft-top with a cape and shedding airbags, sound deadening, carpets, air-conditioning, audio system, driver’s footrest, central locking and other items.