Lotus Elise
You’ll struggle to spot the difference, but this is the third-generation 2010-spec Lotus Elise. The basic chassis, brakes and dimensions remain unchanged, but the styling is subtly tweaked (the headlights are the stand-out change, but many of the panels are gently finessed) and the base model now has a 1.6-litre Toyota-sourced engine located amidships and a six-speed gearbox to replace the last generation1.8-litre that hooked up to a five-speeder.
Performance of the 2010 Elise is similar, but the price goes up by £900 and the S drops off the base model’s name – it’s just a Lotus Elise these days. Does what it says on the tin.
More money for a basic, smaller-engined Elise? Boo!
Don’t worry, the R model that sits above the base Elise still features a 1.8-litre lump (an all-new, more sprightly one too with 189bhp), and the 1.6-litre engine gets very similar performance to the old, lower-power 1.8 that used to reside in the S – it has 9lb ft more torque, does the same top speed, but takes 0.4sec longer to get to 62mph.
The more efficient engine and new gearbox bring another bonus however – fuel economy improves from 37.2mpg to 45mpg, while C02 falls from 179 to 149g/km.
Performance of the 2010 Elise is similar, but the price goes up by £900 and the S drops off the base model’s name – it’s just a Lotus Elise these days. Does what it says on the tin.
More money for a basic, smaller-engined Elise? Boo!
Don’t worry, the R model that sits above the base Elise still features a 1.8-litre lump (an all-new, more sprightly one too with 189bhp), and the 1.6-litre engine gets very similar performance to the old, lower-power 1.8 that used to reside in the S – it has 9lb ft more torque, does the same top speed, but takes 0.4sec longer to get to 62mph.
The more efficient engine and new gearbox bring another bonus however – fuel economy improves from 37.2mpg to 45mpg, while C02 falls from 179 to 149g/km.
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