Lighten up with new Lotus Sprint

It’s one of the oldest British sports car makers to still be going strong.

It’s made many stunning models that have gone on to become classics.

It’s also made its fair share of disasters – the fibreglass Elite, anyone? – and was once renowned for a lack of reliability.

It’s even made a Bond car – the amphibious (in the movie, a real one would sink) Esprit. I’m talking, of course, about Lotus. Founded in 1952 by by engineers Colin Chapman and Colin Dare, both graduates of University College London, it is now owned by Proton but remains headquartered in Norfolk.

Lotus has put its new Sprint model on a strict diet – and it’s shed 41kg compared to the old model.

The iconic sports car has received a minor facelift for 2017, with the British manufacturer adding an even-morelightweight model to the range, dubbed Sprint.

In this trim, carbon fibre is used for the bucket seats, access panel, roll hoop cover and engine cover to save more than 10kg combined. Lightweight alloy wheels and a new lithium-ion battery help drop the weight further.

Overall, it’s 41kg lighter than the car it replaces and means the Elise Sprint models weigh in at just 798kg. Standard Sport models are 26kg lighter than the previous Elise.

There are two engine options available for both the Sprint and standard Sport models. The 1.6-litre makes 132bhp, while the supercharged 1.8-litre unit produces 214bhp and is fitted to cars with the 220 moniker.

The base Lotus Elise Sprint starts at

The Lotus Elise was light, the Sprint version was lighter – and the latest update has shed another 41kg.