Opel Speedster seats, Mazda MX5, Catterham, Lotus armrests

Lotus Elise, Exige, and VX220/Speedster owners looking for better comfort, more room, or weight savings.

1. Opel Speedster (VX220) Seats

Since the Opel Speedster (Vauxhall VX220) shares the same chassis as the Lotus Elise S2, the seats are a popular direct swap.

• Design: These are slightly more “padded” than standard Lotus S1/S2 seats and often come in unique leather or Alcantara finishes.

• Fitment: Direct Bolt-in. They use the same subframe mounting points as the Elise S2.

• Market Value: Used pairs typically sell for $900 – $1,200. They are a cost-effective alternative to “Probax” Lotus seats.

2. Mazda MX-5 Seat Conversions

Many owners (especially taller drivers) look at Mazda MX-5 (Miata) seats for their affordability, though it’s usually the other way around: Lotus seats are installed in Miatas to lower the seating position.

• Miata Seats into Lotus: Extremely rare. MX-5 seats are generally too wide for the narrow Lotus sills/tunnel without heavy modification.

• Lotus Seats into Miata: Very common. You need specialized Seat Adapter Brackets (from companies like Flipside Customs or SPS Motorsport) which allow the thin Elise seats to bolt onto the Miata sliders. This lowers the Miata driver by about 1–2 inches.

3. Caterham (R500 Style) Race Seats

If your goal is maximum weight saving and lateral support, Caterham fiberglass or carbon-kevlar seats are often considered.

• Weight: These weigh as little as 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs).

• Support: High side bolsters designed for 4 or 6-point harnesses.

• Fitment: They are significantly narrower than Lotus seats. Installation in an Elise/Exige requires custom side-mount brackets. They are “hardcore” and offer minimal padding, making them better suited for track-focused builds.

• Price: New units from Demon Tweeks or Caterham are roughly $1,000 – $1,400 per seat.

4. Lotus Armrest Upgrades

The standard Elise/Exige cabin lacks center storage and arm support. Several aftermarket companies have created “armrest” solutions that bridge the gap between the seats.

• Simply Sports Cars (SSC) Carbon Armrest: A high-end solution (often for the Evora) that adds cup holders and storage bins.

• Alias23 / GRP Center Console: Many owners replace the plastic “long” or “short” center console with a raised carbon fiber version from Alias23 or Greg’s Race Parts (GRP). These often include a padded top or a higher profile that serves as a functional armrest while driving.

• Door Armrests: For the Evora, companies like SSC offer carbon fiber door armrests that provide extra elbow cushioning and storage for phones or wallets.