The Lotus Elise has always been about lightweight performance, but Analogue Automotive has taken that philosophy to an extreme with its new VHPK restomod. The first customer car is now complete, one year after the project was announced.
Based on a first-generation Elise S1, the VHPK is stripped back and rebuilt almost completely. A lightweight carbon-fibre body helps keep mass down, while the biggest change inside is a single carbon-fibre bucket seat positioned in the centre.
The driver sits exactly where you would expect in a much more exotic machine. The cabin is deliberately minimal, with air conditioning and a removable carbon hardtop available as options.
Analogue retains the original Rover K-Series engine rather than replacing it. Displacement grows from 1.8 to 1.9 litres, with upgraded internals helping produce 250 hp. That power reaches the rear wheels through a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential.
The chassis gets multi-way dampers, forged wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes, with an active suspension setup also available.
Production is limited to just 35 cars, with prices starting at £350,000 ($472,500) including the donor Elise S1. That is serious money for an Elise, but this is hardly a normal one.
