FirstDrive: Lotus Elise SCBolting a supercharger to the Elise's engine has created one of the best cars made by Lotus, writes Shane O'Donoghue
To the casual observer, keeping up with the line-up of cars in the Lotus range may be a daunting task. Not only does the company make the Elise, Exige and Europa, there are several variants of each and the madcap 2-Eleven at the extreme end of the range. For enthusiasts though, it's all part of the fun and Lotus has just added a new model to the iconic Elise line-up.
Given the use of supercharging elsewhere in the Lotus range, it's a little surprising that a supercharged version of the Elise has not been available from the factory until the launch of this SC version.
In typical Lotus fashion, the Elise SC features its own supercharger system, quite different to that found in the Exige models. The goal was for the new charger to fit into the existing engine bay, without impeding rear visibility.
In the pursuit of that target, Lotus's engineers developed a clever combined supercharger and inlet manifold, which not only eased the packaging problems, but reduced weight too.
An intercooler was ruled out though, so peak power is not quite as heady as the more extreme models available. That said, 217bhp and 210Nm of torque are figures most drivers will be happy with, especially when you take into consideration the Elise's featherweight status.
As you'd expect, performance is other-worldly, with the benchmark 0-100km/h sprint over and done with in a good deal less than five seconds and a theoretical top speed of 240km/h.
Those numbers do little to convey the Elise SC's ability to shrink distances, as the supercharger endows the car with substantial go throughout the rev range.
Unlike the highly-strung Elise R, the SC doesn't require revs to slingshot its passengers down the road, so it can be a more relaxing car to drive, though it's undoubtedly faster - dispatching dawdling tractors has never been easier.
From the time Colin Chapman began the company, Lotus has been as much about cornering ability as it has about performance, and the Elise SC hasn't lost any of the car's inherent balance and agility.
The only major change to the chassis is the fitting of slightly wider rear tyres to cope with the extra torque. Even so, it's relatively easy to initiate slip from the rear tyres when accelerating hard out of a hairpin, despite the car's innate traction.
Thankfully, the optional traction control is more quick witted than most drivers will be.
Such antics are best kept to the occasional trackday, a pursuit owners of the Elise SC will be tempted to take up in order to extract the most from their car. However, even at public road speeds the SC thrills with the most pure, undiluted messages being sent through the steering wheel rim, pedals and seat.
The ProBax seats are a fantastic piece of engineering, being light and slim, yet comfortable; they're standard across the range. New for the 2008 model is a slightly better dashboard material, complemented by subtle new instrument dials and the all-important inclusion of airbags for both occupants.
Some purists may baulk at the option of a cupholder in the Elise, but of course it's a lightweight aluminium and leather affair.
The rest of the interior is as sparse as ever, though beautiful in a its own technical way.
A few more creature comforts can be added with the addition of the Touring Pack and if you just scoffed at that idea, then you'll probably be more interested in the Sport Pack, complete with uprated suspension components, a sportier traction control, twin oil coolers and lighter alloy wheels.
Buyers competing in time trials may consider the optional limited slip differential, while those of you who plan to use your Elise all year round have the option of a neat hard top.
On the outside, the visual differences making up the Elise SC are limited to the new 19-inch wheels, rear spoiler and single oval-shaped exhaust pipe.
The casual observer will need to look closer to see the supercharged decals, so the owner is safe in the knowledge that, though he's driving one of the best cars in the Lotus range, few others will be able to tell.
Factfile
Engine:1798cc supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine, putting out 217bhp and 210Nm of torque
Transmission:Six-speed manual
Performance:0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds, and a top speed of 240km/hr
Price:€55,000 (estimated starting price)