Factory Supercharger Kit for NA Elise & Exige Models From Lotus USA

Oooo baby. What's that old saw about absolute power corrupting yadda-yadda? Well, it looks like the Lotus Elise and Exige just got even more sinful, thanks to a factory sanctioned supercharger kit for older, naturally aspirated versions of the Elise and Exige.

If I was being halfway "logical" in my sportscar lust, I'd be all over the Lotus Elise like white on rice. But I've got too bad of a jones for a Lotus 7, so I have to get one of those first, and then I can worry about an Elsie (right after I win the lottery).

The Elise is a much better car than a Seven, even if it is bulkier – and that's the only time you're going to hear an Elise referred to as bulky: When it's compared to a Seven (and only because those tip the scales at 1000 pounds, give or take).

The Elise has that "modern" concept of putting the engine in the middle that has been working out so well since Jack Brabham started crushing the competition circa 1959. It also has modern build quality and standards, so what's not to like?

Some have said more power (yeah, and I know guys with 427 Cobras that are asking for more top end on the straights) and Lotus answered a while back with a factory supercharged version of the Elise with its nicely reliable Toyota mill. Ah, but what about those of you out there with older naturally aspirated Elises?

The boys from Hethel got you covered. Lotus USA has proclaimed the availability of a factory engineered, warranted and 50-state legal supercharger kit for North American owners of naturally aspirated Elise and Exige models. It's the same supercharger and integrated intake manifold deal that's fitted to the production Elise with blower, and the kit can be installed on any of the naturally aspirated cars powered by the Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine.

The blower package, which comes with not only the supercharger/integrated intake manifold, but also new high-flow fuel injectors and a re-programmed engine management computer, bumps the power from 189 HP to 218 HP and the torque jumps from 133 ft.-lbs. to 155 ft.-lbs. Even better, all that new torque comes lower down at 5,000 rpm instead of the naturally aspirated 6,800 rpm.

I'll take mine in medium green with yellow stripes. The factory racing colors. Have to keep up traditions, don't you know.

Source: CarScoop. Photos from Flikr users The Pug Father and IanPhilipMiller.