got a 2010 S for a week

[Nightmare]

So dropped my old S2 in for a service and Lotus Silverstone very kindly gave me a 2010 s as a courtesy car. Is very interesting to compare I have to say.
(mine is an 01 racetech but the engine was rebuilt by DVA power with various improvements to abt 150bhp)

things ive first noticed about new one
electric windows: when the roof is on the car and its in a tight spot i always lower the window to get in (am 6' 1ish) - cant do that with leccy window. I could see that being a genuine problem/annoyance
Its MUCH quieter. not particularly less bumpy, but definitely much more sound insulated. Its also clearly heavier and reacts like it is. Am surprised there's that obvious a difference, but it doesn't leap forward in the same way as mine.
Sports exhaust makes lovely noise.
looks a bit better generally....but is nothing like different enough to warrant buying for the updated shape.
shiny white running lights are great.
heater is awesome
stereo sound massively improved.

It tramlines really badly compared to mine (haven't checked tyre pressures or anything yet)
Brakes are much more convincing in terms of 'not going to lock up and kill me', but much much less graduation and feel.
Gearshift sucks on this one. I thought it was the k-series cars which were supposed to have notchy iffy gear boxes but this one is annoying. Its dropped out of 4th 3 times and 2nd twice (something which has only ever happened to be on about 3 cars ever)

thats all so far

[Herman Toothrot]

Sounds crap.

[Geneve]

When the 1.8'S' was introduced in 2006, much of the media hailed it as the nicest 'Elise' incarnation since the original S1 was launched - with lots of praise for the Toyota engine/gearbox and just the right blend of performance, handling finesse, spec and price.

So, I suppose everyone would have expected the 2010 1.6'S' facelift to reflect further improvements. But, it wasn't so kindly received. Yes, it still offered much of the traditional Elise charm, but had grown too expensive. At c.£30k+ otr its going to be judged much more critically.

[peter450]

Geneve said:

When the 1.8'S' was introduced in 2006, much of the media hailed it as the nicest 'Elise' incarnation since the original S1 was launched - with lots of praise for the Toyota engine/gearbox and just the right blend of performance, handling finesse, spec and price.

So, I suppose everyone would have expected the 2010 1.6'S' facelift to reflect further improvements. But, it wasn't so kindly received. Yes, it still offered much of the traditional Elise charm, but had grown too expensive. At c.£30k+ otr its going to be judged much more critically.

It needed the 1.8 version of the engine, the 1.6 offers less overall power than the old unit, and in terms of the original K cars a lower power to weight, it's like they took a step backwards on the performance, when everyother sports car in existance, come model update time usually gets a slightly more powerful engine, see boxter, Mx5 etc etc

I dont know what lotus were thinking when they passed over the 1.8 litre version of this same engine for this, honestly they can carp on about the fuel and C02 all they like, thats not why people buy sports cars!! and at any rate the 1.8 is only like marginaly worse C02/MPG for a decent slug of extra power and torque, something like 147 hp and around 135 lbft

[400SE Dave]

peter450 said:

I dont know what lotus were thinking when they passed over the 1.8 litre version of this same engine for this, honestly they can carp on about the fuel and C02 all they like,

They had no choice, the 1.8 won't meet EU5 emission regs. I agree though, they should have gone for a better engine than a low emission 1.6

[Nightmare]

Personally i would disagree if Im honest (after a whole 4 days, lol)

This car is plenty quick and feels very elise like - I just was surprised how much more 'instant' mine feels. the midrange particularly feels strong.

All round it is a definitely a step on - I imagine the SC version would alleviate the outright performance issue - and in general im currently agreeing with the reviewers. yes, higher power ones are more exciting over a brief 'blast about'...but using it all the time....i don't think the extra cost would mostly be justified.

okay, it would for me, but it wouldn't really be the logical move. Without another direct elise comparison this is a superbly delicate, quick car - streets away from, say, the feel of a boxster (admittedly in some negative respects too but heh)

i dont think the entry level needs to punch any higher than this. not remotely.