[Randy Chase]

http://www.topgear.com/servlet/tg?D...otus:C5&MODEL=Elise:A5&roadTestNumber=10.html


AS A rule, we don't need much of an excuse to pick up the phone to the masters of sports car minimalism, Lotus. But surely this was taking things too far...

"Er, hello, it's Top Gear mag' here. Sorry? No, not the pro-herb student group movement. BBC Top Gear magazine, you know, down in London. Yeah, that's right, we're UK based. Now, do you think we could try the new central locking system in your Elise, please."

In the interests of the greater motoring public, we refused to take no for an answer. Voices were raised, fists were thumped and the receiver clicked, leaving the PR sort at the other end of the line visibly shaken. Perhaps. Damn it. Enthusiasts the world over had a right to know if central locking, electric windows and sun visors turned the Elise into something more closely resembling white goods than rare plaything. The tweaks - noteworthy by Norfolk standards, laughable by Luton - are part of a package of rivet and grommet changes for 2004 model-year Elises. Changes which, it should be said, have not been decided on a whim. Lotus has been indulging in a spot of market research. Well, customers have mentioned it in passing to their local dealer.

Which is why we're at Brands Hatch. Because if you really want to know whether the sun visors act in the manner suggested by their name, then only the very particular, hilly environment of Brands will do. And the good news? I can indeed confirm that they work. Flippancy aside, it was a pretty alarming omission on a car designed for sunny Sunday blats. (Or any day, for that matter.) The electric windows worked all day long too. As did the central locking. And it was raining.

So, the car with cutting-edge construction finally gets a few mod cons. Odd. Those who reckon they can make do without keep-fit windows and locking can always do without, by opting for a car without an 'S' on its arse end.

 

[Randy Chase]

Sunvisors or no sunvisors, our 111S was well in its element carving through the track-day traffic at the grand prix circuit. Only a set of scales would tell you that the 158bhp, MG Rover-sourced K-Series VVC motor was having to lug around a few extra kilograms. Performance remains a revelation, the 800kg-odd tiddler out-accelerating and out-cornering all sorts of supposedly potent exotica. And while that's all well and good - and on a track day, that David and Goliath thing counts for a good day out - it's the way the Elise goes about stimulating the senses that would continue to remind you of why you spent all that money in the first place.

Apparently, any of the S models also come with a new 'sound insulation pack'. To these ears, the changes seemed to help take the edge off the slog round the M25, en route to Brands, without diluting the top-end roar once unleashed on the circuit and dipping down through Pilgrim's Drop. Most excellent. Now, I wonder what our next excuse can be...

James Mills

 

[Randy Chase]

 

[Randy Chase]

 

[armitage]

Hmm... the engine cover colour changed (it's black on my car)