Lotus Elise III photos

The third iteration of the Elise (commonly designated Series 3) debuted in 2010 for the 2011 model year and remained in production until December 2021. It introduced a major styling refresh with single-piece headlight clusters integrating LED daytime running lights, a reshaped front clam, and a redesigned rear bumper improving aerodynamic efficiency. The powertrain lineup was modernized with Euro 5 and Euro 6 compliant Toyota engines: an entry-level 1.6-liter naturally aspirated 1ZR-FAE (136 hp) and a supercharged 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE producing between 220 hp (Elise S, Sport 220) and 243–250 hp (Cup 250, Cup 260). Power was delivered through a 6-speed manual gearbox, which famously received an exposed-mechanism open-gate shifter in 2016. In 2017, a mild aesthetic refresh brought redesigned front air intakes. The model signed off in late 2021 with the Sport 240 Final Edition and Cup 250 Final Edition, having been marketed throughout Europe, Japan, the Middle East, and Australasia.