Lotus Elise (2004-) Review

Comfort and Equipment

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Talk of comfort in the Elise always used to major on the sublime ride quality, rather than indulgences such as plush seats, air con, stereo, carpets, soundproofing... Today, though, while it's still a pure sports car, it's now more useable day-to-day. You needn't have carpets fitted if you don't want to, but the option is there, as is a standard CD stereo and the (expensive) availability of air con. With honing of noise channels to make it quieter, plus the suppression of wind noise, it's now a sweeter car to drive when you're not in Jim Clark mode - though remember, it's still noisier than any Porsche will ever be. That's inevitable. It's just that the Elise is no longer a discipline in an 'Iron Man' contest on long wintry journeys. Leaks are rare now, too.

As for equipment, the Elise use Alpine stereos, rather than the fiddly Blaupunkts of a few years ago. The MD personally stipulated the change (the Blaupunkts frustrated him, as they did us), and he was right to as they sound good and battle valiantly against that unavoidable wind noise at speed. Electric windows are fitted as standard too - because Lotus worked out they weigh less than manual winders. Otherwise it's pretty basic, and all the better for such an approach. It certainly doesn't appear cheap: finish is excellent and details such as the alcanatara-covered dash top and tiny leather steering wheel feel simply superb. The intention is, says the MD, for it to look 'expensive' even in standard guise. You have to say they've succeeded. The new orthopedic seats, which twist the hips for better posture, are excellent too.