2011 Lotus Elise Gets 149g CO2/km Certification

In brief: The entry-level 2011 Lotus Elise has been certified with emissions of 149g of CO2 per kilometer - a 16% reduction from 2010.

Vehicle in the news

Make/Model: Elise
Manufacturer: Lotus

The word

The car, which (sans the engine and transmission) is the backbone of the Tesla Roadster, is the best in its class for emissions in its natural state.

The Elise gets 46.7mpg on the extra-urban cycle using the Toyota 1Zr-FAE 1.6L engine with Valvematic and Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing -intelligent). This engine is 200cc smaller tan the outgoing Elise S model's engine and puts out 160Nm of torque at 4,400 rpms.

The weight reduction in the Elise to 1,931 pounds has also helped.

And so ...

The Elise was featured in the Lotus lineup at the Denver Auto Show (seen here).

Photo credits: Author