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Lotus Elise SC Step1

Super StreetLotus
218 hp
Horsepower
935 kg
Weight
RWD
Drivetrain
2010
Year

Lotus Elise SC Step1 (Super Street)

The Lotus Elise SC Step1 is a lightweight, supercharged British sports car built around Lotus' core philosophy of minimal mass, razor-sharp handling, and driver engagement. This Step 1 variant takes the already agile Elise platform and adds a roots-type supercharger to the Toyota-sourced 1.8L four-cylinder, giving it a much stronger midrange without losing the car's trademark delicacy.

Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)

  • Powertrain: 1.8L Toyota 2ZR-GZE inline-4 with Eaton supercharger (mid-mounted, transverse)

  • Total Output: ~220 hp (164 kW)

  • Redline: ~7,000 rpm

  • Transmission: 6-speed manual

  • Weight: ~935 kg

  • Dimensions: ~3,800 mm long × 1,720 mm wide × 1,130 mm tall | Wheelbase 2,300 mm

  • Tires: Performance road tires on lightweight alloy wheels

  • Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes with ABS

  • Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive

In the Simulator Feel

The Elise SC Step1 is a nimble, momentum-based sports car that feels alive in the hands. Its low mass makes every input matter: it changes direction instantly, brakes hard for its size, and dances through technical corners with remarkable confidence. The supercharged torque makes it friendlier than a naturally aspirated Elise, but it still rewards tidy driving and smooth weight transfer more than aggressive, late-braking heroics.

Engine & Sound: The supercharged four-cylinder has a busy, mechanical character with a noticeable whine under load and a crisp, urgent exhaust note. It doesn’t chase huge power numbers, but the added boost fills in the midrange nicely, making the car feel much more flexible on corner exits and uphill sections.

Handling Characteristics:

  • Cornering: Extremely quick turn-in with excellent front-end bite. Mild understeer appears if you enter too hot, but the car is generally eager to rotate.

  • Traction: Strong for a lightweight RWD car, though sudden throttle can still unsettle the rear if you’re too aggressive.

  • Braking: Very short stopping distances thanks to the low weight; trail braking works beautifully.

  • Top Speed: Modest compared to high-power machinery, but more than enough for tight circuits and club-style sprint racing.

Driving Style Tip: Keep it smooth and flowing. The Elise rewards carrying speed, minimizing steering corrections, and using the supercharger’s torque to cleanly launch out of corners. It shines on tighter, more technical tracks where agility matters more than outright horsepower.

Livery & Aesthetics: The Elise SC looks compact, purposeful, and unmistakably Lotus, with its low stance, short overhangs, and simple, elegant bodywork. In sim form it has that classic “less is more” appeal — a small car that still looks special from every angle.

Whether you're learning car control, chasing lap time, or just enjoying a pure driver’s car, the Lotus Elise SC Step1 is a standout choice — lightweight, tactile, and deeply rewarding to drive.