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1997 Lotus Elise

New from

$69,719 excl. on-roads

Review Rating

Not Available

Safety Rating

Not Available

Warranty

2 year, unlimited km

Fuel Efficiency

About the Lotus Elise

Last updated Sep 27, 2025

The new Lotus Elise is a sports car offered in a 2D Convertible body style. Available in Australia from $69,719 (MLRP, excl. on-roads) for the Base variant and topping out at $74,996 for the Base.

There is 1 variant of the Elise available in Australia.

Engine options include 1.8L multi-point injection (88kW/165Nm) and 1.8L multi-point injection (88kW/165Nm). All variants feature 5-speed manual transmission. All variants feature rear-wheel drive.

The new 1997 Elise is offered with a 2 year, unlimited km warranty.

See Lotus Elise models from other years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

Comparative Rating

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Power to Weight

130.37 kW/t

69.18 kW/t

130.37 kW/t

Price

$69,719 - $74,996

$43,160

$145,000

Warranty (Years)

2 years

3 years

Warranty (Distance)

Unlimited

80,000 km

Unlimited

1997 Lotus Elise Price

Configuration	Price From*
1.8L, 5-speed manual, 2-door Convertible, Petrol, RWD	$69,719
1.8L, 5-speed manual, 2-door Convertible, Petrol, RWD	$74,996

*excl. on-roads

All Lotus Elise Pricing

Year	Price From*	Price To*
2021	$97,990	$109,990
2020	$87,990	$107,990
2019	$87,990	$107,990
2018	$87,990	$107,990
2017	$74,990	$104,990

*excl. on-roads

See all Lotus Elise Pricing

1997 Lotus Elise Specs

See our comprehensive details for the Lotus Elise

Base

Audio
- Antenna Type: Fixed Mast
- Anti-theft Protection Type: Code
- Number Of Speakers: 4
- System Cassette
- System In-dash Cd
- System Radio Type: Am/fm
- System Type: Stereo
Body exterior
- Body Type: Convertible
- Front Spoiler Colour: Body Colour
- Front Spoiler Location: Front
- Local Body Type: Convertible
- Local Number Of Doors: 2
- Non-corrosive Body Type: Alloy
- Number Of Doors: 2
- Trunk/hatch Spoiler Colour: Body Colour
- Trunk/hatch Spoiler Location: Boot/hatch
Brakes
- Number Of Disc Brakes: 4
- Number Of Ventilated Disc Brakes: 4
Bumpers
- Front Colour: Painted
- Front Location: Front
- Rear Colour: Painted
- Rear Location: Rear
Calculated
- Power-to-weight Ratio (kw/t): 130.37
Convenience
- Cigar Lighter Front Seat Location: Front Seats
- Cigar Lighter Front Seats Illuminated
- Courtesy Lights Delayed Fade
- Number Of Door Switches Lights: 2
- Reading Lights Front Location: Front
- Remote Trunk Hatch Release Operation: Mechanical
Dimensions
- Front Track (mm): 1440
- Overall Height (mm): 1202
- Overall Length (mm): 3726
- Overall Width (mm): 1701
- Rear Track (mm): 1453
- Wheelbase (mm): 2300
Doors
- Exterior Door Handles Color: Body Colour
Engine
- Bore Engine: 80
- Catalytic Converter Type: 3-way
- Compression Ratio: 10.5
- Emission Control Level Standard Met: Adr 79/01
- Engine (l): 1.8
- Engine (cc): 1796
- Engine Configuration: In-line
- Engine Location: Mid
- Engine Orientation: Transverse
- Number Of Cylinders: 4
- Number Of Vavles Per Cylinder: 4
- Stroke Engine: 89.3
- Vavle Gear Type: Double Overhead Cam
Fuel
- Fuel System Ignition Type: Full Management Control System
- Fuel System Injection Carburetion: Multi-point Injection
- Fuel Tank Capacity (l): 40
- Fuel Tanks Capacity Gal: 10.6
- Fuel Type: Premium Unleaded
- Generic Primary Fuel Type: Petrol
Instrumentation
- Clock Type: Digital
- Instrument Cluster Type: Partial Digital
- Number Of Odometers: 1
- Oil Pressure Type: Gauge
- Oil Temperature Type: Gauge
- Water Temperature Type: Gauge
Interior trim
- Door Panel Trim Material: Plastic
- Load Area Side Covering Type: Textile
Lights
- Headlights Bulb Type Low Beam: Halogen
- Headlights Concealed
- Headlights Configuration: Twin
- Headlights Lens Type: Conventional
Locks
- Anti-theft Protection Interior Monitoring
- Anti-theft Protection Peripheral
- Power Locks Includes Dead Bolt
- Power Locks Internal Switch
- Power Locks Operation: Key
Paint
- Type: Gloss
Performance
- Performance Acceleration 0 To 100 Km/h: 5.9
- Performance Maximum Speed (km/h): 202
- Performance Maximum Speed (mph): 126
- Power Maximum Power (hp/ps): 120
- Power Maximum Power (kw): 88
- Power Maximum Torque (nm): 165
- Power Maximum Torque (lb Ft): 122
- Power Measurement Standard: Din
- Power Rpm For Maximum Power Low: 5500
- Power Rpm For Maximum Torque Low: 3000
Roof
- Convertible Roof Soft Operation: Manual
- Convertible Roof Soft Storage Cover: Soft
- Convertible Roof Soft Top Rear Glass Window
- Convertible Roof Soft Type: Soft
Safety
- Front Seat Belts Driver Operation: Reel
- Front Seat Belts Driver Seat Position: Driver
- Front Seat Belts Driver Type: 3-point
- Front Seat Belts Passenger Operation: Reel
- Front Seat Belts Passenger Seat Position: Passenger
- Front Seat Belts Passenger Type: 3-point
- Head Restraints Front Seats Location: Front Seats
- Head Restraints Front Seats Number: 2
Seats
- Driver Front Seat Fore/aft Adjustment
- Driver Front Seat Location: Driver
- Driver Front Seat Reclining
- Driver Front Seat Type: Bucket
- Passenger Front Seat Location: Passenger
- Passenger Front Seat Type: Bucket
- Seat Upholstery Additional Seat Material: Leather
- Seat Upholstery Main Seat Material: Leather
- Seating Capacity: 2
Steering
- Sports Steering Wheel
- Steering Wheel Height Adjustment
- Steering Wheel Type: Leather Covered
Storage
- Console Dashboard Location: Dashboard
- Console Dashboard Storage: Open
- Console Dashboard Type: Full
- Glove Compartment Lid
- Glove Compartment Lockable
Suspension
- Alternate Suspension Type: Sport
- Suspension Front Location: Front
- Suspension Front Spring Type: Coil
- Suspension Front Stabilizer Bar
- Suspension Front Type: Wishbone
- Suspension Front Wheel Dependence: Independent
- Suspension Rear Location: Rear
- Suspension Rear Spring Type: Coil
- Suspension Rear Stabilizer Bar
- Suspension Rear Type: Wishbone
- Suspension Rear Wheel Dependence: Independent
Transmission
- Axle Ratio: 3.94
- Drive Driven Wheels: Rear
- Transmission Number Of Speeds: 5
- Transmission Type: Manual
Ventilation
- Ventilation System Number Of Fan Speeds: 3
- Ventilation System Recirculation Setting
Visibility
- Driver Door Mirrors/cameras Colour: Painted
- Driver Door Mirrors/cameras Location: Driver
- Driver Door Mirrors/cameras Type: Electrically Adjustable
- Front Electric Windows: Front
- Heated Driver Door Mirrors/cameras
- Heated Passenger Door Mirrors/cameras
- Intermittent Wipe Windshield Wipers: Fixed
- Number Of Front Express Power Windows: 2
- Number Of Windshield Wiper Speeds: 2
- Passenger Door Mirrors/cameras Colour: Painted
- Passenger Door Mirrors/cameras Location: Passenger
- Passenger Door Mirrors/cameras Type: Electrically Adjustable
- Safety Operation For Front Power Windows
- Sunvisors Driver Location: Driver
- Sunvisors Passenger Location: Passenger
Warranty
- Anti-corrosion Distance (km): Unlimited
- Anti-corrosion Duration (months): 96
- Paint Distance (km): Unlimited
- Paint Distance (mile): Unlimited
- Paint Duration (months): 24
- Total Powertrain Distance (km): Unlimited
- Total Powertrain Duration (months): 24
- Total Whole Vehicle Distance (km): Unlimited
- Total Whole Vehicle Duration (months): 24
Weights
- Gross Vehicle Weight (kg): 942
- Published Kerb Weight (kg): 675
Wheels
- Front Wheels Location: Front
- Front Wheels Rim Diameter Inch: 15
- Front Wheels Rim Type: Alloy
- Front Wheels Rim Width Inch: 5.5
- Front Wheels Tire Location: Front
- Front Wheels Tire Profile: 55
- Front Wheels Tire Speed Rating: V
- Front Wheels Tire Width: 185
- Rear Wheels Location: Rear
- Rear Wheels Rim Diameter Inch: 16
- Rear Wheels Rim Type: Alloy
- Rear Wheels Rim Width Inch: 7
- Rear Wheels Tire Location: Rear
- Rear Wheels Tire Profile: 50
- Rear Wheels Tire Speed Rating: V
- Rear Wheels Tire Width: 205

See all 1997 Lotus Elise Specs

1997 Lotus Elise Dimensions

1202mm

1701mm

3726mm

The dimensions shown above are for the base model.

See all 1997 Lotus Elise Dimensions

1997 Lotus Elise Gallery

CarExpert High Resolution Photos of the Lotus Elise

1997 Lotus Elise Fuel Economy

Lotus Elise	Fuel Type	Combined
1.8L, 5-speed manual, 2-door Convertible, Petrol, RWD	Premium Unleaded	-

See all Lotus Elise Fuel Economy

1997 Lotus Elise Warranty

What is the warranty on a Lotus Elise?

The Lotus Elise offers a 2 year unlimited km warranty. This is separate to the warranty on offer under Australian Consumer Law which can be greater for certain parts based on what is deemed as a reasonable period of time.