I've finally got my 111R. My previous car was a standard Elise S2 2001 "Race Tech", upgraded to about 157 bhp.
I drove my new 111R for the first time today (actually the first time ever in a 111R, didn't get the chance to test drive it first...).
Drove it 150 miles today, so couldn't pass 4500 rpm, but it doesn't matter. I love the car. I really love it. I really really love it.
These are my first impressions (excuse my english )
Looks
The colour is Storm Titanium. This is to me the most stunning and beautiful Elise ever made. I believe the Exige S2 is the most stunning Lotus ever made, but the 111R is second to the Exige S2.
Quality
Quality is improved in all aspects. No rattling, no strange noises, the car is very well built. There's huge diffence compared to the original Elise S2. I love the new interior as well, new seats and the new instruments.
Equipment
The only option on my car is metallic paint. For me, everything else I wanted was standard. I don't drive the car during the winters and the summers here are not that hot nor humid.
Engine
The engine is amazing. It feels so much better than the K-series. The power delivery is very linear and smooth. I can't believe the torque figures, feels a lot more in reality than on the spec sheet.
Engine/exhaust noise? I think it sounds really nice as it is standard. I don't feel there's a need for a sport exhaust. On my previous car I had sportexhaust, sport cat and ITG induction. The car sounded good, but loud. Very loud, which gets a little bit tiring after a while.
Love the "no red line on the rev counter"!
Gearbox
It feels very "mechanical" and precise. Thousands times better than the old Rover one.
The gear knob is i piece of art.
Breaks
I cannot understand the complaints about that there's no feeling in the breaks in the 111R. The 111R has the best breaks I've ever come across.
Steering/Handling
This is truly spectacular. Lotus has improved both steering and handling. A lot. The steering is a bit heavier than on the standard S2. I prefer the 111R "heavier approach". The best of all is that the 111R has a lot more feeling in it's steering. And this is compared to the standard S2, which is knowned to have the best steering of all cars in the world.
What about handling? It's improved. The understeer is gone and the car feel very solid on the road. Strangely, it's more comfortable than the S2 (and the S1). I don't know what Lotus has done, or how they've done it, but it is really astonishing.
What about weight? Strangely, it feels lighter than the standard S2, which could be due to the fact the the ride quality is improved.
Conclusion
As I've already said. I love it. Lotus has improved the Elise in all aspects. I had expected a lot better engine and gearbox, but I hadn't realised that everthing else was better as well.
The final conclusin is simple. The Elise 111R is the best sports car I've ever driven. And I believe it's the most fun sports car in the world.
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