Lotus Elise (2001-2004) Review

On the road

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A back-to-basics driving experience, the Elise does without driver aids like power steering, servo-assisted brakes and ABS. As a result it's one of the purest drives you'll have, the steering is fantastically communicative and direct - the Elise's light weight negates the need for power-sapping assistance. The short-throw gearshift is quick and accurate but the brakes take a bit of getting used to if you're used to servo-assistance found on the majority of modern cars. However, once acclimatised you'll find you can lean on them with increasing confidence, remaining fade free even if pushed to the limits on road or track. The instruments, like the rest of the car, are minimal, telling you what you need to know in a neat Stack display behind the chunky wheel, though the wildly variable fuel gauge means you'll stop more often than necessary to top up - just in case. The fantastic driving position is pure race car, the thinly padded seats holding you firmly and giving good support. Visibility ahead and to the side is good - though to the rear it's limited - a common complaint in mid-engined sports cars. The Elise really is worthy of an additional star here - five isn't enough. Quite simply one of the most enjoyable, and exploitable performance machines available to buy today. As close as you'll get to a 'sensible' alternative to a Caterham, the Elise's razor-sharp responses mated to fantastically measurable feedback from your hands, feet and bum make this a driver's car with few equals. If driving is how you derive your pleasure you will not be disappointed with the Elise - whether in standard form or as the faster 111 model. Not only does it drive like few others but in second generation form it looks sensational, the more aggressive styling more befitting of such a focussed driving tool. Not hugely powerful but so faithful you'll enjoy every minute behind the wheel.

The Elise has always been a car that feels like it could cope with more power. There are numerous tuners out there that'll do just that for you, but the reality is that the standard car exploits its relatively modest 120bhp output to tremendous effect - extracting the performance is part of the fun. The 111 model liberates a bit more power - 156bhp - and is the one to have if you can afford the extra outlay, but you're unlikely to feel short-changed in the standard car. Both versions sprint to 60mph in less than 6 seconds, and top out at more than 125mph, but in the Elise it's not about how accelerative it is, it's how much speed you can carry through the corners that will leave you in awe.