Lotus is paying tribute to its racing history through the introduction of four new limited-edition versions of its Elise sports car.
Four colour combinations are available with the Classic Heritage Edition cars – of which just 100 are going to be produced – with each harking back to an original livery used by Lotus’ racing teams.
![All liveries hark back to classic racing Lotus models. All liveries hark back to classic racing Lotus models.](https://cdn-attachments.timesofmalta.com/e5962a06ea6a355db7c82b8c1be83a24a6aaf153-1589269345-5eba5361-1920x1280.jpg)
The first is a black and gold combination made famous by the Lotus Type 72D that Emerson Fittipaldi raced over the course of the 1972 Formula 1 season. A red, white and gold version pays tribute to the Type 49B that Graham Hill used in 1968, while a blue, red and silver car is inspired by the livery applied to the Type 81 of 1980, which was used by Nigel Mansell, Ello de Angelis and Mario Andretti.
Finally, a fourth colour combination of blue and white harks back to the design used on the Type 18 car of 1960, which was the first Lotus car to achieve a Formula 1 pole position and victory – thanks to some help from Sir Stirling Moss.
![The interior of the Elise boasts more equipment and technology. The interior of the Elise boasts more equipment and technology.](https://cdn-attachments.timesofmalta.com/558544ecb9d33fa7cca3810f40a0a8c0dbf97411-1589269360-5eba5370-1920x1280.jpg)
All cars are based on the Lotus Sport 220, but receive enhanced interior features and touches. Each gets a unique build plaque, too.
In addition, the Heritage Edition cars get a DAB radio, air conditioning and cruise control as well as forged alloy wheels and two-piece disc brakes – features which usually reside on the optional extras list for the Elise.
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