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Lotus Elise Safari Build Is the Off-Roader We Didn’t Know We Wanted
England-based firm Get Lost has unveiled a Lotus Elise safari build that argues we haven’t quite seen it all yet when it comes to sports cars turned into off-roaders. Based on the first generation of the roadster, Get Lost’s Project Safari gets rally-inspired styling complemented by a comprehensive list of chassis updates.
“The idea of taking an Elise off-road might sound ridiculous, and that’s exactly why we leaned into it. That one silly idea gave us real creative freedom,” said photographer and Get Lost founder George Williams.
Project Safari remains recognizable as an Elise, but it gains LED headlights, four front-facing LED driving lights, and massive wheel arch flares that cover a wider track. I’d argue that it looks even cooler when you see it from the back. Get Lost added a roof-mounted intake and a spare wheel that gives off rally car vibes. As is often the case with these builds, we’re assuming that the Project Safari is highly customizable.
Unfortunately, additional details are few and far between. Get Lost notes that there’s a completely redesigned interior built with high-quality materials, but photos haven’t been released yet. All we can tell so far is that the cabin features sport seats upholstered with what looks like a combination of leather and cloth.
With the exception of the obvious, such as a much higher ride height, what’s under the body is a mystery as well. Get Lost cites “a completely bespoke suspension system” as one of the modifications, and it tells us that there’s a new powertrain. That’s not necessarily a bad thing: The first-generation Elise used Rover’s 1.8-liter K-Series four-cylinder engine, which wasn’t exactly a beacon of dependability. Mid-mounted and linked to a five-speed stick, the 118-horsepower four-cylinder sent the original Elise from zero to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. Despite the increased unsprung weight, we expect that the Project Safari will be quicker, regardless of what it’s powered by.
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Get Lost expects to start building its Lotus Elise safari later in 2025. Pricing hasn’t been announced.
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lets hope that its better than the 2zz-fe as well that the elise later got.
A little more info like what powertrain, projected cost, etc. would be nice on this press release.
It’s giving off Stratos vibes