1996 Lotus Elise (Series 1) Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Lotus Elise Series 1 has a width of 1701 mm (about 67 inches). This relatively narrow width enhances the car's nimbleness and allows for easier maneuvering through tight corners and narrow roads, which is ideal for a lightweight roadster. The narrow stance, paired with its low weight, contributes to a responsive driving feel, although it may feel less spacious inside for passengers compared to wider sports cars.

With a height of 1202 mm (approximately 47.3 inches), the Lotus Elise Series 1 sits quite low to the ground. This low height improves aerodynamics by reducing air resistance and lowering the center of gravity. The low profile enhances handling stability during high-speed cornering, making the Elise an engaging driver's car. However, the low roofline also means limited headroom and a sporty seating position, requiring drivers to be comfortable with a low-slung cockpit.

The curb weight of the Lotus Elise Series 1 ranges from 690 kg to 770 kg (about 1,521 to 1,698 pounds). This remarkably light weight is fundamental to the Elise’s philosophy as a pure sports car. Being lightweight ensures outstanding agility, quick acceleration, and excellent fuel efficiency. Lotus achieved this through a minimalist design, extensive use of aluminum and composite materials, and the absence of heavy luxury features, creating a car that's highly responsive and thrilling to drive.

The Lotus Elise Series 1 offers a luggage capacity of 210 liters (approximately 7.4 cubic feet). This space is quite modest and suits small bags or essentials for short trips. While the Elise excels as a weekend or track-focused sports car, its luggage capacity is limited, so it is not ideal for long-distance touring or carrying large amounts of cargo. The compact cabin and focus on performance mean practicality is secondary in this roadster’s design.

The Lotus Elise Series 1 typically runs on 16-inch rims with tire sizes including 185/55 R16 at the front and either 205/50 R16 or 225/45 R16 at the rear. These specific tire dimensions provide a balance between grip, responsiveness, and ride comfort. The wider tires at the rear help with traction, especially since the Elise has a rear-wheel-drive layout, enhancing exit stability out of corners. The combination supports the car's lightweight chassis and precise handling characteristics without compromising agility.

Given its compact dimensions—length between 3726 and 3734 mm (146.7 to 147 inches), width of 1701 mm (67 inches), and height of 1202 mm (47.3 inches)—the Lotus Elise Series 1 fits comfortably in a standard residential garage. Standard single garages typically measure around 2.4 to 2.7 meters (about 8 to 9 feet) in width and 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet) in length, leaving ample room for this low-profile two-seater roadster, even with opening doors and some additional clearance for ease of access.

The Lotus Elise Series 1 was essentially the initial model for this line, launched as a fresh design from 1995 with no direct predecessor under the same Elise nameplate. However, when comparing it to Lotus's prior sports cars, it was significantly lighter and smaller, setting new benchmarks in lightweight engineering. The Elise capitalized on innovative construction techniques which made it lighter and more compact than earlier Lotus roadsters like the Lotus Elan or Esprit, thus redefining Lotus’s focus on minimalism and driver engagement.

The Lotus Elise Series 1 was one of the lightest and smallest sports cars available during its production from 1995 to 2000. Dimensionally, its length of about 3.7 meters (12.2 feet) and weight under 770 kg (around 1,700 pounds) were markedly smaller and lighter than many contemporary lightweight roadsters like the Mazda MX-5 Miata or the BMW Z3, which were heavier and larger. This downsizing resulted in a sharper, more connected driving experience focused on agility rather than outright power. The Elise’s minimalist design philosophy made it stand out as an agile, track-capable roadster rather than an all-round sports car.

The Lotus Elise Series 1 is celebrated for its remarkable lightweight engineering, precise handling, and open-roadster experience. Produced between 1995 and 2000, it features a minimalist approach prioritizing driver engagement over luxury. The car uses an aluminum chassis bonded with fiberglass panels, resulting in outstanding strength-to-weight ratio. Its compact size, low center of gravity, and rear-wheel-drive layout make it exceptionally nimble. The Elise’s simplicity, combined with its sharp feedback, helped revive the Lotus brand and appeal to sports car enthusiasts who value pure driving enjoyment over raw power or comfort.