Lotus

April 30, 2008

2008 Lotus Elise SC: Got (Ought?) to be Committed

This is what I call a "committed car." You might think it's because the 2008 Lotus Elise Supercharged is committed to being a serious performance car with an excellent power-to-weight ratio and valid track-day yearnings. Well, that's part of it.

But it's also because, as an Elise driver and owner, you have to be committed. Putting up with the wind and road noise above 40 mph? That's a commitment. Hitting only the pedal(s) you want in that tight footwell? That's a commitment. Hell, just getting into this car with the targa top in place -- that's a major commitment. Makes my GT's entry/exit procedure feel like a minivan.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (22); Karl Brauer April 30, 2008, 6:00 AM
Categories:: Lotus

November 30, 2006

2007 Lotus Exige S -- Makes other Exotics seem Normal

It takes a special kind of car to make my Ford GT feel pedestrian, and the Lotus Exige S is just such a car. For all those track-day fanatics who find the standard Exige too watered down, with its paltry 11-to-1 power-to-weight ratio, the new-for-2007 car offers 30 more horsepower via a supercharger (for a total of 220 hp), giving the Exige S a 9.5-to-1 ratio. Lotus claims a 4.1-second zero-to-60 time, and my internal accelerometer would agree.

But you have to be a dedicated sports car freak to put up with this car's entry/exit process and rear visibiliy (both of which make my GT seem like a Camry in terms of practicality)...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (3); Karl Brauer November 30, 2006, 11:57 AM
Categories:: Driving, Lotus

June 16, 2006

2006 Lotus Exige -- As Narrowly Focused as its Footwell

I just got back from driving the 2006 Lotus Exige. I didn't get a lot of seat time in it, but it doesn't take long to realize a few basic elements:

1. I had to remove my shoes to drive it safely

2. Getting into it makes my Ford GT's entry/egress look geriatric friendly

3...

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (2); Karl Brauer June 16, 2006, 10:30 AM
Categories:: Lotus

December 9, 2005

Lotus Elise and Bentley Continental GT -- A Good Day!

As an automotive journalist, some days are better than others. Today is a good day (and talk about experiencing the full spectrum of British automobiles!). Earlier I was able to sneak out of the office long enough to experience a Lotus Elise test car before it went back. Despite only having 40 minutes in the car, I found a canyon road off PCH and got lucky with traffic (meaning none). Wooo-heee!!!

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (4); Karl Brauer December 9, 2005, 9:00 PM
Categories:: Bentley, Lotus