Thursday, April 28, 2011

Recapturing the Magic of the Lotus Elise

By Austin Spencer

With the Exige and Evora carrying the performance banner for serious enthusiasts, the Lotus Elise is often overlooked. Some pundits have begun to whisper that the car is no longer “news.” They call the Lotus Elise an oversized “roller skate,” saying it is tiny, underpowered and better suited to European roads.

In Central Texas, one Lotus aficionado disagrees with that assessment.

“Since its launch, the Elise has been hailed as one of the best cars for driving enthusiasts that money can buy,” said Sonny Morgan, managing partner at John Eagle European’s Lotus of Austin. “The latest generation to carry the evocative name retains the supple roadholding, fluid dynamics and tactile feedback of the original. And it combines this prowess with efficient performance and fantastic fuel economy.”


Still, this writer couldn’t help but wonder if the car could seem as magical as when it burst onto the American scene in the summer of 2004. Had its charms faded with time? Sonny was gracious enough to provide an Elise for a review to answer those burning questions.


He allocated a “brilliant blue 2011 Elise SC Supercharged from his inventory at the Lotus location on Research Boulevard. Sitting in front of the dealership next to an Aston Martin DBS and a Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, the 220 HP “pocket rocket” looked primed for the Hill Country roads.

The first glimpse of this car was electrifying. The Elise merges sleek lines, athletic poise and a sporting stance that leave no doubt of its intentions. It is a purposeful roadster designed to meet the demands of a modern driving enthusiast, as well as the realities of urban traffic and high dollar fuel.


Slipping into the black leather seats, the car exudes an “all business” attitude. While snug, the cockpit is surprisingly comfortable. From the driver centric position of all the controls to the lightweight materials, this car was born to run. The pedals are perfectly situated for heel-toe shifts and there are few distractions inside for the driver.


Low and wide like a racecar, the Lotus wraps around you as you pull out onto the road. The raspy engine shoves you back with authority as the car has only about 2,000 pounds to push with more horsepower than the typical mid-size sedan. In fact, the mid-engine wonder can go from 0-60 MPH in just 4.6 seconds.


Over the course of the day, the little Lotus was a giant killer. It was a joy to simply revel in the Elise’s responsiveness. Few cars can rival the tactile agility of this Lotus. The combination of mid-engined, six-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive with a responsive lightweight chassis, delivers the ultimate sensation to the driver. Because this car was from Morgan’s stock, this writer had to sadly limit the number of miles put on the Lotus.


With phenomenal feedback and surefooted handling, carving up the back roads was a snap. Overtaking lumbering “sports” sedans was easy and quick. The car was never stressed, never lost its poise and never disappointed. It was never uncomfortable or missed a beat. And with its sweet, reliable engine sipping fuel delivering a combined 33 MPG, it never broke the bank for all this fun. For those seeking maximum fuel economy, Lotus of Austin even offers a normally aspirated Elise that is rated at a combined 45 MPG!


“From the minimalist cabin and enhanced ergonomics to the purposeful lines of the body, the Elise is honed for one purpose: to maximize driver involvement,” added Morgan. “It delivers the ultimate feedback for an engaging, fun experience that is the essence of a true sports car and hallmark of Lotus.”

Has the Elise lost its luster over time? Is it eclipsed by newer Lotus models? Has it become merely a track day toy? No. The car is still as much fun to drive on the street as the day it was introduced. It’s indeed worthy of automotive love.

Morgan summed up the essence of the car perfectly. He stated, “Attention to detail has always been at the heart of the Lotus ethos - using the least number of parts effectively and engineering each component to perfectly suit a given purpose. A reputation as a true driver's car combined with outstanding fuel economy means the Elise is the perfect sports car for today's roads.”

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