Intended primarily for track use, the Sport 190 wasn't strictly road legal because although the engine would pass the UK MOT test, the car wasn't fully type approved. Therefore it was never officially sold by Lotus as a complete car, rather a factory conversion. Of course, this didn't stop customers ordering a brand new Elise and having it converted into a Sport 190 straight away. The fully adjustable suspension kit comprised re-rated monotube Koni dampers and competition Eibach springs that allowed the ride-height to be dropped by up to 50mm. At the front there was also an adjustable anti-roll bar. Brakes were uprated cross-drilled and ventilated discs all round, these being made of cast iron instead of aluminium to reduce fade during track use. The front calipers were new Lotus-AP Racing items, the standard Brembo's being retained at the back. Race-spec Pagid pads were fitted all round. Applying the power were a set of 16-inch Motorsport wheels shod with either Yokohama A038 or A510 tyres, these rims coming in a choice of either silver, gold, anthracite or black finish.

By the time a lightweight carbonfibre airbox and sports exhaust were installed, output was nearer 200bhp, all of which was fully exploitable thanks to a perfectly suited close-ratio gearbox. Thinner body panels helped offset the additional weight incurred by using heavier iron brakes, Lotus quoting a figure of 670kg for the Sport 190 whereas the reality was probably a little over 700kg. Each came fitted with a competition roll bar that intruded into the cockpit, a lightweight rear window, battery master switch, oil cooler, towing eye and small competition battery. A solitary FIA-approved competition seat with six-point harness was fitted as standard, a passenger item being an optional extra. Unsurprisingly, the Sport 160 posted some blistering performance figures, 0-60 taking 4.4 seconds and 0-100 a mere 10.7 whilst top speed was "about 150mph on a flat road". In addition to a passenger seat complete with six-point harness, customers could order ultra-lightweight carbonfibre front and rear clamshells, a plumbed-in fire extinguisher, metallic paint, supplementary driving lights and a host of Lotus Sport Original Performance Products allowing any car could to be tailored to the owners exact requirements.