Lotus Provides a 'Different Perspective' With Its Eco Version of the Elise

We all know that the Tesla Roadster is, more or less, an electric version of the Lotus Elise. Which begs the question: Why isn't Lotus making a green Elise?

Apparently, some like-minded individuals at the British carmaker asked the same thing, and today they provided an answer in the form of the Eco Elise.

As Lotus mentions in the opening paragraph of a press release, the Eco Elise "promotes a different perspective on 'green,' one which does not revolve solely around tailpipe carbon dioxide."

According to the statement, the car is partially comprised of sustainable materials, including locally farmed hemp, an "ethically produced" woolen fabric free of dyes and harmful chemicals, and sisal, which we all know is the agave Agave sisalana that yields a stiff fiber used in making rope. Lotus uses it in floor mats.

These materials, when "combined with hi-tech water-based paint solutions, showcase new affordable green technologies."

The Eco Elise is 70 pounds lighter than the Elise S -- excellent! -- and the dashboard sports "a green economy gear change display" -- or shift indicator -- which is hardly worth mentioning, except that Eco Elise owners who don't know how to drive might experience better mileage because of it.

Two flexible solar panels set into the hemp hardtop help charge the car's electrical system. Be sure to click on the photos to get a better look at this beautiful car.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Posted by

Scott Doggett July 9, 2008, 1:40 PM

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