LOTUS ELISE & EXIGE S2 - REAR SUSPENSION

The S1 could not be produced after 2000 due to new European crash sustainability regulations so Lotus needed a development partner to meet the investment requirement for a S2 car. GM offered to fund the project, in return for a badged and GM-engined version of the car for their Opel/Vauxhall brands.The S2 Elise, announced on 9 October 2000, was a redesigned S1 using a slightly modified version of the S1 chassis to meet the new regs. Built at Hethel, both cars shared many parts including the chassis, although they had different engines.