Telegraph review
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car ... eview.html
"In the last fortnight, car owners have had good reason to feel aggrieved. Fuel prices hit a record high and are set to increase further still if Alistair Darling gets his way. Meanwhile, rates of Vehicle Excise Duty have risen drastically for cars emitting all but the lowest levels of CO2 – or in other words, virtually every one that is fun to drive.
Lotus has grabbed the bull by the horns, and, in an effort to build something combining fun and frugality, produced a new Elise boasting the lowest CO2 rating of any sports car on sale and fuel economy to match most superminis. Not bad for a machine that also does 0-60mph in six seconds, wears a full complement of supercar swoops and curves and costs a not unreasonable £27,450.
In bare statistical terms those environmental credentials are expressed as carbon emissions of 149g/km and a Combined fuel economy figure of 45mpg. A more expensive Porsche Boxster will match the Elise in a race from the lights but pumps out 221g/km of CO2, whereas the slightly cheaper Audi TT Roadster gets close on emissions but is 1.4 seconds behind the Lotus in the sprint to 60mph.
This combination of power and parsimony come courtesy of a Toyota-sourced (and British-built) 1.6-litre petrol engine that replaces the outgoing Elise's 1.8-litre unit to become the entry-level model in the Lotus stable.
It is mated to a six-speed gearbox (also from Toyota) and Lotus has tuned it to develop 134bhp and 118lb ft of torque. That might not sound like much for an out-and-out sports car but at 876kg the Elise stays true to the famous "performance through light weight" ethos set out by company founder Colin Chapman.
It's a lesson that's always served the Elise well; since being launched in 1996 the combination of willing engines and a light yet strong bonded and extruded aluminium chassis have made it one of the most revered driver's cars in history.
No surprise it's also Lotus's most commercially successful model, accounting for more than 33 per cent of the company's entire production. That's quite a formula to risk messing with for the sake of chasing some headline CO2 figure.
It doesn't take much time behind the wheel, however, to realise that the formula, thankfully, remains just fine. The new six-speed gearbox's precise action is a delight, which is lucky because you need to stir it frequently to make the most of what the 1,598ccs have to offer.
Below 5,000rpm things are a touch tame, but step above that mark and a deepening exhaust note signals a frantic rush to the 7,000rpm red line, another gear dropping you right back into the engine's sweet spot. Conversely, use fewer revs and the drivetrain's Toyota origins are apparent: it's quiet, smooth and capable of drawing out one tank of fuel for nearly 400 miles.
What else is new? There are a few aesthetic updates (new lights, bumpers and wheels), a couple of questionable additions to the options list (cruise control and parking sensors) and a worthy three-year, 36,000-mile warranty, but very little else has changed.
The steering still doesn't have power assistance and is all the more communicative as a result, while the double wishbone suspension and sport-oriented Yokohama tyres balance otherworldly handling abilities with a comfortable ride. Even the fabric roof is easy to fit nowadays, a click here and a clunk there being all that's needed to protect you from the worst the British summer has to offer.
What this car represents, then, is a rather likeable case of common sense prevailing. While others wrestle with hybrids and fuel cells Lotus has simply looked to its past and emerged with a perfectly credible solution to the problem of building an affordable, environmentally viable, high performance sports car. It's "performance through light weight" executed with a 21st century eco-conscious twist. You can't help thinking Colin Chapman would approve.
The facts
Price/on sale from £27,450/now
Tested Lotus Elise 1.6/six-speed manual
Power/torque 134bhp/ 118lb ft
Acceleration 0-60mph in 6.0sec
Fuel economy 34.0mpg (urban)
CO2 emissions 149g/km
Verdict Britain's 21st century eco hero, Lotus's sports car with a conscience is terrific fun to drive.
Telegraph rating Five out of five
The rivals
Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Roadster
Price from £24,435
Peerless build quality and image plus a fine turbocharged engine make for a great all round package. Can't match the Lotus for out and out thrills though.
Caterham Roadsport
Price from £21,200
Another British lightweight sports car with superb handling and good economy, thanks to its 1.6-litre Ford engine. Makes even the Elise look practical.
Porsche Boxster
Price from £34,996
One of the best all-round cars on sale, blending Elise-like handling with Audi-like quality and refinement. Looks expensive in this company, however. "
