The 2011 model year marked a significant point for Lotus enthusiasts in the United States, featuring a range of Elise and Exige models with varying specifications and limited production runs. For collectors and automotive aficionados, understanding the rarity and color availability of these vehicles is crucial. This article delves into the production numbers and color options for the 2011 Lotus Elise and Exige models specifically designated for the US market.
2011 Lotus Elise R
In 2011, the Elise R variant saw a production of just 77 units for the United States. This limited number makes each of these vehicles quite exclusive. Among these 77 cars, a spectrum of 15 different colors was available, further diversifying their appeal. Detailed color production numbers reveal the most and least common shades:
- Aspen White: 9 units
- Persian Blue: 7 units
- Canyon Red: 5 units
- Ardent Red: 4 units
- Racing Green (British/Solid): 3 units
This breakdown highlights Aspen White as the most prevalent of the known colors, while Racing Green stands out as one of the rarer choices for the 2011 Elise R.
2011 Lotus Elise SC
The supercharged Elise SC model was even more exclusive in 2011, with only 35 units produced for the US market. The color palette for the Elise SC, while offering fewer known details than the Elise R, still presented some distinct options:
- Ardent Red: 5 units
- Carbon Grey: 1 unit
- Graphite Grey: 1 unit
Ardent Red appears again as a popular choice, while Carbon Grey and Graphite Grey examples are exceptionally rare, with only one of each produced.
2011 Lotus Elise SC Type 25 Special Edition
The 2011 model year also saw ultra-rare special editions, including the Elise SC Type 25 Special Edition. Only 2 of these were made for the US, emphasizing their collector status. While definitive color information is elusive, it’s speculated that both were finished in British Racing Green, echoing the 2009 Jim Clark Type 25 Editions, although concrete confirmation remains to be found.
2011 Lotus Elise SC RGB Roger Becker Edition
Adding to the exclusivity, the 2011 Elise SC RGB Roger Becker Edition also had a mere 2 units produced for the US. Named in honor of Roger Becker, a Lotus engineering legend, these editions are highly sought after. Currently, there is no publicly available data regarding the color options for these two vehicles, further adding to their mystique.
2011 Lotus Elise SC Final Edition
The 2011 Elise SC Final Edition marked the end of an era for this model in the US. A total of 12 were produced for the US market, distributed across 4 different colors. An additional 3 units were made for Canada, bringing the North American total to 15 (2 in Aspen White and 1 in Chrome Orange for Canada). Known color production numbers in the US are:
- Storm Titanium: 4 units
- Ardent Red: 3 units
- Carbon Grey: 3 units
- Chrome Orange: 2 units
Storm Titanium and Ardent Red, along with Carbon Grey, were the more common colors for this final edition, while Chrome Orange remained a more distinctive choice.
2011 Lotus Exige S240
Moving to the Exige range, the 2011 Exige S240 was produced in a very limited run of just 5 units for the US. These were spread across 4 different colors, making each one exceptionally rare:
- Carbon Grey: 2 units
- Aspen White: 1 unit
- Phantom Black: 1 unit
Carbon Grey had a slight edge in production numbers, but Aspen White and Phantom Black examples are equally scarce.
2011 Lotus Exige S260 Sport
The 2011 Exige S260 Sport was even more exclusive, with only 3 examples made for the US, each in a unique color. This makes each of these cars a true one-of-a-kind in terms of color combination for this specific market:
- Aspen White: 1 unit
- Carbon Grey: 1 unit
- Phantom Black: 1 unit
The equal distribution across Aspen White, Carbon Grey, and Phantom Black underscores the rarity of each color for the S260 Sport model.
2011 Lotus Exige S RGB Roger Becker Edition
The Exige S RGB Roger Becker Edition also appeared in 2011, with 8 units destined for the US and an additional 4 for Canada, totaling 12 for North America. Color production details are partially known:
- Aspen White: 4 units
- Carbon Grey: ? (at least some of the 3 North American units)
- Solar Yellow: ? (at least some of the 4 North American units)
- Starlight Black: 1 unit
Aspen White is confirmed as the most common color, while the distribution of Carbon Grey and Solar Yellow between the US and Canada remains unclear. Starlight Black is verified as an exceptionally rare color for this edition.
2011 Lotus Exige Final Edition Matte
The 2011 Exige Final Edition Matte presented a striking visual with its matte black finish. 22 units were produced for the US, with an additional 3 for Canada, totaling 25 for North America. All US models of this edition were finished in matte black, creating a cohesive and aggressive aesthetic.
2011 Lotus Exige S260 Final Edition
Finally, the 2011 Exige S260 Final Edition represented the culmination of the Exige S260 lineage. 26 units were produced for the US, showcasing a wide array of 11 different colors. An additional 4 units were made for Canada, bringing the North American total to 30 (1 Isotope Green, 1 Carbon Grey, 1 Ice White, and 1 Starlight Black for Canada). Known color production numbers for the US market are:
- Ardent Red: 5 units
- Aspen White: 4 units
- Phantom Black: 4 units
- Chrome Orange: 3 units
- Arctic Silver: 2 units
- Carbon Grey: 2 units
- Isotope Green: 2 units
- Ice White: 1 unit
- Quartz Silver: 1 unit
- Starlight Black: 1 unit
- Storm Titanium: 1 unit
Ardent Red, Aspen White, and Phantom Black were the most produced colors, while a range of single-unit colors like Ice White, Quartz Silver, Starlight Black, and Storm Titanium highlight the bespoke nature of some of these final edition models.
In conclusion, the 2011 Lotus Exige and Elise model year in the US was characterized by limited production runs and a diverse, yet often rare, color palette. For enthusiasts and collectors, these production numbers and color details are invaluable in understanding the exclusivity and desirability of these iconic sports cars.
