Skip advert
Advertisement

Ultimate Lotus Elise S1 arrives with over 250bhp and even better handling

Analogue Automotive VHPK weighs only 600kg and features a central driving position, drawing on the sports car's racing heritage

VHPK Lotus Elise S1 restomod - front

British company Analogue Automotive has officially revealed the VHPK, a dramatic new Lotus Elise S1 restomod designed to celebrate the sports car’s 30th anniversary.

Weighing only 600kg, the VHPK takes inspiration from the race cars that competed in the Autobytel Lotus Championship in the early noughties, featuring a central driving position just like those track-focused machines. 

The dramatic weight reduction has been achieved through extensive use of carbon fibre for the car’s bodywork, while the cockpit has been completely modernized with an array of lightweight components, too. The VHPK also gets new carbon-ceramic brake discs, which not only provide superior stopping power, but also further reduce unsprung weight, to enhance handling.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Under the skin, the original Rover K-Series engine has been upgraded with bespoke billet and forged internals and an increased displacement. These extensive changes have boosted the output to over 250bhp, giving the reworked Elise a power-to-weight ratio in excess of 400bhp per tonne. 

Analogue Automotive plans to build just 35 examples of the VHPK, with orders set to open next year. While pricing has not been announced, the new Lotus Elise restomod is expected to exceed the six-figure price of the company’s less extreme Analogue Supersport model.

Buy a car with Auto Express. Our nationwide dealer network has some fantastic cars on offer right now with new, used and leasing deals to choose from...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Contributor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he worked until early 2025. Despite moving on to pastures new, he remains a regular contributor across our news and reviews sections.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best cars of the 1990s
Best 90s cars - header image

Best cars of the 1990s

The nineties were a golden age for car dynamics, engineering and design. Here are our team’s top picks of the era
Best cars & vans
11 Mar 2026
Best future classic cars 2026: the auto investments that could make you money
Future classics - header image

Best future classic cars 2026: the auto investments that could make you money

Identifying future classic cars is a tricky but potentially lucrative business, here are our top future classic recommendations
Best cars & vans
15 Jan 2026

Most Popular

Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrids get a hefty price cut
Dacia Duster - cornering

Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrids get a hefty price cut

The Dacia Duster and Bigster hybrid models now start from £23,345 and £26,715 respectively
News
4 Aug 2026
New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo 2026 review: EV puts VW back where it belongs
New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo - front tracking

New Volkswagen ID.3 Neo 2026 review: EV puts VW back where it belongs

Has VW’s all-electric hatchback finally grown up? We get behind the wheel to find out
Road tests
4 Aug 2026
Dacia Duster and Dacia Bigster Hybrid 150 4x4: step-up from 2WD costs just £1k more
Dacia Bigster AWD - front

Dacia Duster and Dacia Bigster Hybrid 150 4x4: step-up from 2WD costs just £1k more

All-wheel drive hybrid power extends the appeal of the popular Dacia Duster and Dacia Bigster even further
News
3 Aug 2026

Find a car with the experts