Elise Type 99T
Lotus are once again looking back to their glory days as inspiration for another limited edition Elise.
Unusually though - and to the dismay of some UK buyers - the new car will be a left hand drive car d
estined for mainland Europe only. Limited editions are normally produced during quiet times of production
so that a number of cars can be made without waiting for orders specifying particular trim and or colour
combinations. Lotus has latched onto this in recent years and produced a number of these 'specials'.
The Lotus Elise Type 99T is a celebration the 1987 Lotus 99T which holds the honour of being the
last ever Lotus Formula One car to win a Grand Prix.
The Lotus Type 99T bore huge changes both inside and out from its predecessor the Type 98T.
The first and most noticeable change was that of the livery. Gone was the world famous black and gold
JPS colour scheme, now replaced by the bright yellow and blue of new sponsors Camel.
Changes under the skin were even more significant. Moving away from the Renault powerplants that
had been employed since the Type 93T in 1983, the 99T harnessed a new twin-turbo Honda unit capable
of pushing out more than 800bhp. Perhaps the most significant change however was the reintroduction
of the revolutionary 'Active' suspension system. Active suspension had been in development for a few
years at Lotus and had even been tried out on previous Formula One cars. With the introduction of the
system on the 99T Lotus yet again changed the way Formula One cars were designed. Active suspension was
eventually outlawed as it gave massive performance and handling advantages.
Driven by Ayrton Senna and Satoru Nakajima during the 1987 season, the 99T proved to be one of Lotus'
more successful modern day Formula One cars. Wins in Monaco and Lotus' last ever victory in Formula One at Detroit
meant that Ayrton Senna and Team Lotus finished third in the World Drivers
Championship standings and the Constructors' Championship respectively.
The 99T Elise won't go quite as quick, but it will be the same colour . Painted in unique 'Saffron Yellow'
the car comes with subtle blue detailing to mirror that of the original race car. Unique black Lotus styled
eight spoke wheels complete the racing look from the exterior. The interior is furnished in perforated black
leather sports seats and door panels, complemented by a black alcantara dash panel. Cross-drilled brakes,
CD player, black soft-top and black carpets complete the look.
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