Editing Elise model history (section)

=Series 2 - K-series=

==Elise ‘Mk.2’ Introduction: November 2000 ==

VIN character 10 = 1; VIN character 13 = 7; Serial number from 0018. 

Changes from previous model include: Restyled body and interior; revised soft top with integral cantrails; revised 
door window guides; chassis siderails lowered at cockpit sides; revised suspension with new hubs and steel hub carriers; revised engine spec. with Lotus K4 controller to meet ECD3; close ratio transmission; larger diameter road wheels 
with Bridgestone Potenza tyres; new brake discs and pads; new fuel tank and pump; Meta vehicle security system; battery moved to rear luggage compartment; new heater system with rotary controls; new exhaust muffler with outboard 
tailpipes. 

Air Conditioning Option: February 2002 

Co-incident with 2002 model year changepoint. VIN character 10 = 2; Serial number from 1936. 

VIN character 12: C = RHD heater, D = LHD heater, N = RHD a.c., P = LHD a.c. 

Cars with heater only continue unchanged, but a.c. cars use new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) 
system, incorporating face level vents, dual intake blower fan, air blender flap without water valve, electrical rotary 
controls with stepper motor operated flaps. Larger engine cooling radiator with twin fans. Coolant re-circulation pump. 
Cobra 8185/8186 security system. 

Cobra 8185/8186 Vehicle Security System: February 2002 

Fitted on all cars with a.c. (see above) and then as running change to heater cars during March. 

Cobra 8185 immobiliser becomes standard specification. 8186 optional upgrade to meet U.K. Thatcham 1 requirements, including self powered siren, selectable intrusion sensor, illuminated entry. 


==Hard Top Roof and ‘Short’ Soft Top: March 2002 ==


[http://wiki.seloc.org/index.php/Hardtop Hardtop] roof panel introduced as factory option. Incorporates revised rear window shroud with external weatherstrip 
and new, shorter, soft top without tails. 



==Elise 111 & 111S: May 2002 ==

VIN character 4 = J; Serial number from 2677. 

Std. car continues unchanged. 111 & 111S versions available as option, including: 160ps VVC engine; ‘G6’ transmission ratios; new exhaust muffler with round tailpipes and flap valve; intake resonator box; oil/water heat exchanger; 
larger type (a.c.) radiator, twin rad. fans and re-circ. pump; 8-spoke heat treated road wheels; enhanced rear diffuser; 
Shurlock instrument pack; heater cars use HVAC system (see above) less a.c. equipment. 



==2003 Model Year: January 2003==

VIN character 10 = 3; Serial number from 4397. 

No specification change. 



==Lotus Sport 135R: May 2003 ==

VIN character 4 = M; Serial number from 4612. 

Sports option for U.K. only. Based on standard car with following changes: 100kW engine with modified porting, 
111/111S type intake manifold, 52mm throttle body and complete exhaust system, re-programmed [[ECM]]. Sports suspension with stiffer springs and dampers, adjustable spring pans, 5-hole anti-roll bar, re-positioned steering rack. O.Z. 
16-spoke roadwheels in black or silver with 6.5J front rims. Yokohama A048 tyres. Cross-drilled brake discs. 111/111S 
rear diffuser. Body colour Silver Mica, Blue Mica or Saffron Yellow. Body colour grilles on mica cars. ‘Lotus Sport 135R’ 
decals and interior embroidery. Blue Alcantara trim features. Plaque on passenger sill. 



==Lotus Sport 111: May 2003 ==

Aluminium plate etched ‘Lotus Sport 111’ bonded to chassis below VIN at right hand front. 


‘04 M.Y. VIN from serial number 0004. 

Track biased option for Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore. Based on Elise 111 with following changes: Sports 
suspension with stiffer springs and dampers, adjustable spring pans, 5-hole anti-roll bar, re-positioned steering rack. 

O.Z. 16-spoke roadwheels in black or silver with 6.5J front rims. Yokohama A048 tyres. Body colour Silver Mica, Blue 
Mica, Starlight Black, Ardent Red. Body colour grilles. ‘Lotus Sport 111’ decals and interior embroidery. Black Alcantara 
trim features. High grade roof hoop with optional forward brace for MSA approval. Plaque on passenger sill. 
2004 Model Year: May 2003 

VIN character 10 = 4; Serial number sequence re-started at 0001. 

Range as previous with following new features: Optional central door locking on driver’s and passenger’s doors 
operated via Cobra 8185/8186 alarm transmitter. Electric window operation combined with CDL option. Gearchange 
mechanism noise suppression. Interior noise suppression package on ‘S’ variants. Uprated battery, bar graph fuel display, orange backlighting, restyled repeater lamps, optional CD multichanger in boot, aerial ground plane, washer bottle 
in engine compartment, optional Tracker security. Sun visors, new trim features. Lotus roundel on rear transom. Red 
spark plug cover.

==2004 Model Year: May 2003==

VIN character 10 = 4; Serial number restarts at 0001.

Range as previous with following new features: Optional central door locking on driver's and passenger's doors operated via Cobra 8185/8186 alarm transmitter. Electric window operation combined with CDL option. Gearchange mechanism noise suppression. Interior noise suppression package on 'S' variants. Uprated battery, bar graph fuel display, orange backlighting, restyled repeater lamps, optional CD multichanger in boot, aerial ground plane, washer bottle in engine compartment, optional Tracker security. Sun visors, new trim features. Lotus roundel on rear transom. Red spark plug cover.

==2005 Model Year: October 2004==
VIN character 10 = 5; Serial number sequence continues

Specification unchanged.

==Revised 5-speed Transmission for Standard Elise: July 2005==

VIN serial number 4919

Transmission for Rover powertrain cars changed from B4BP to C4BP.

Lowered 1st & 2nd gear ratios, raised 5th gear ratio.

==2006 Model Year: September 2005==

VIN character 10 = 6; Serial number restarts at 0001, common to all variants.

Specification unchanged.