Review
Even after more than a decade on the market, the Lotus Elise is still one of the purest driving experiences that you can have.
The current version suffers from slightly contrived styling and does without the visual purity of the original, but the driving experience is pretty near identical. That means steering that's practically capable of reading your mind, masses of grip and a wonderfully well-balanced chassis. On a "B" road or a race track you really couldn't have more fun without spending several times the Elise's pricetag.
Practicality remains the Elise's big weakness. Only the most dedicated will be prepared to consider it as an everyday car. The cabin is cramped and claustrophobic with the roof in place, requiring you to clamber over an enormous sill to get to the controls. On the road the Elise is a loud place to spend time, as the engine's harsh noise fills the cabin, and the ultra-direct steering keeps drivers busy on the motorway too.
Luggage space is pretty much non existent - a tiny compartment behind the mid-mounted engine serves as the boot, but the motor's heat-soak ensures that anything put in there will have been lightly baked by the end of your journey.
Now powered by Toyota engines in place of the previous MG Rover units, the Elise remains as quick as ever - it really is the poor man's supercar. Running costs are kept in check by strong residuals, too.
The Exige fixed-roof coupe is aimed at even harder-cored drivers. It's great on a racetrack, but very loud and uncomfortable on public roads.