Ihave yet to drive the Elise on Canadian roads, and every time I see
onerunning around Vancouver, a scenario that's getting played out a lotmore frequently lately, I get to thinking about phoning Weissach andrequesting a test drive. And for me, it's not just about itsunparalleled performance or exotic styling, or the fact that I couldget one in a bold shade of my favourite colour, orange, but also thatit delivers miserly fuel economy, something that I wouldn't haveworried about before the $1-plus per litre reality we all now live withnow. Considering the Elise is a sports car with 240 km/h (150 mph)pretensions, its eco-friendly personality is a fabulous bonus... kindof a smart supercar. Imagine that? A feel-good green car that can dustalmost anything it comes up against... ha... try that in your HondaInsight!
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nvironmental benefits aside, the Elise made me feelruddy good in every respect. Even its styling is wonderfully exotic;especially when its composite panels are drenched in one of Lotus'smore eclectic colour schemes, dubbed Lifestyle Paint, and despite itsdiminutive dimensions the little Brit miraculously appears long andlean.
Is it perfect? No. Sliding inside is fairly easy for theagile if the roll-up fabric roof is off, but if in place it even forcedmy 5-foot, 8-inch frame into contortionist positions. Its interior isboth stunningly cool, due to handmade aluminum bits and pieces and analmost bare aluminum floor, and rather poorly constructed when it cameto the plastics around the instrument cluster. Of course, such sins areforgiven and completely forgotten when out on the open road, or evenbetter, cleaning up at the track on weekends.
Yes, the Lotus Elise is hardly an ideal everyday driver, but nevertheless it's just about perfect.
Specifications:
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| There are so many amazing things about the Elise, one of which is that it's a fuel miser. Tiny engine means tiny thirst. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
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| Lotus, give yourselves a pat on the back. The Elise is fantastic. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Is it perfect? No. Sliding inside is fairly easy for theagile if the roll-up fabric roof is off, but if in place it even forcedmy 5-foot, 8-inch frame into contortionist positions. Its interior isboth stunningly cool, due to handmade aluminum bits and pieces and analmost bare aluminum floor, and rather poorly constructed when it cameto the plastics around the instrument cluster. Of course, such sins areforgiven and completely forgotten when out on the open road, or evenbetter, cleaning up at the track on weekends.
Yes, the Lotus Elise is hardly an ideal everyday driver, but nevertheless it's just about perfect.
Specifications:
- Price Range (base MSRP): $58,550
- Body Type: 2-door convertible
- Layout: front engine, RWD
- Engine: 190 hp, 138 lb-ft of torque, 1.8L, DOHC, 16-valve I-4
- Transmission: 6-spd manual
- Acceleration (0 - 100 km/h): 4.9 seconds
- Top Speed: 240 km/h (150 mph)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
- Seating Capacity: 2
- Cargo Volume (trunk): (4.0 cu-ft)
- Website: www.lotuscars.com / www.weissach.com / www.gentrylane.com / www.johnscotti.com
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