topic says it all.

190 HP/1800 pounds/Lotus handling

contender or pretender?

 

I got a chance to drive the blue one that Lotus is passing around to dealers across the country. This was the one with the rover engine (I think it was around 130hp). Really fun car. The transmission and engine really suck compared to the S, but overall, the car had an even more raw feel to it. Drove the car with the top down and am not sure what it would be like with the top on (maybe not enough headroom). During the test drive, we mainly tested out the cornering ability. Nothing like 50+ mph in and out of residential streets. In this form, it was no match for the S2000, but with the 190hp motor?

 

The euro elise with only ~145hp was an absolute blast to ride in. If the announcement comes from Lotus that it definitely will be the Toyota 190hp motor and they keep the weight under 2000lbs, then it will be a seriously badass machine. I absolutely loved the one I saw (euro) at the Atlanta dealership. Right now, it's the only car I'd consider as a replacement to the S, but it would be a much less practical daily driver. At least I can fit a *few* things in the trunk of the S!

 

For more impressions of the Elise, check out these socal threads.
Invitation to test drive
Pictures after test drive

 

Man, that thing gonna be rapid! It'd be even faster with the s2k motor though.

-Stephen

 

I got a chance to check one out in person a couple months ago. I really liked it and could see myself in one. Contender.

-Eric

 

Looked at it. Has a bad case of the uglies that I just couldn't get over. The original Euro version has nice lines. The local Lotus dealer was a big liability as well.

 

It IS ugly. But what a blast it must be!
And with that vaunted british sports car reliability to boot

 

Hopefully, the Toyota drivetrain will help with that reliability.