Lotus powers into the 2008 Model year with the Supercharged Elise SC, a 220 horsepower version of the multi award-winning roadster, easily identified by its new rear spoiler and unique new design of alloy road wheels.Despite the on-paper similarity with the Exige S, this is no mere engine swap. This is an all-new, non-intercooled installation applied to the current Elises 1.8-litre 2-ZZ VVTL-i engine. The Lotus-designed, Magnuson-produced supercharger uses a smaller Eaton rotor pack (an M45 unit) than that of the current Exige S, and is married to the intake manifold plenum as part of a single-piece casting. Combined with the absence of an intercooler and its associated pipework, this integrated supercharger/intake assembly contributes to an 8kg reduction in engine weight compared with the Exige S.
In this safety-conscious age and with more and more owners using their Elise as daily transport, demand has been growing for standard-fit airbags. Lotus have responded to provide driver and passenger airbags as standard on all Elise models; previously they were available as part of the Super Touring option package. The new dashboard has a new, softtouch surface finish.