Sign up to one of our immensely successful Lotus experience days. You can get behind the wheel and feel the overwhelming power and agility of the Lotus brand at a number of track locations around the country. Book straight onto a date with Driving Experience.
The Lotus Elise and Evora 400 are among the models we offer for driving experience days. With flawless suspension and weight distribution, the complex engineering methods used on these competitive supercars demand a driver at the top of their game, as well as a steady pair of hands. Excited?
About 70 years ago, Anthony Bruce Chapman designed the first Lotus vehicle, kicking off a legendary brand in British motorsport - with several of their vehicles moving on to victory laps in Formula 1 and other well-known series.
These supercars are some of the most lithe and compactly built of their type, thanks to Chapman's theory of "Performance / Lightweight." Only a go-kart will match the strength of this driving encounter, in which you'll feel the amazing handling of every curve, turn, and straight of the lane.
Experience the Lotus Elise vs a Ferrari - or maybe you would prefer the Lotus Evora Blast.
We're sure you'll find a package you love, and they even make perfect gifts. Buy a 10-month gift card or choose an available time and date from our events calendar.
Top Gear once said “If you really, truly care about driving, the Lotus Elise is about as obvious an answer as water being wet and fire being hot” - it doesn’t really get much clearer than that does it?
Lotus first launched the Elise in 1996 and it has characterised Lotus ever since. Handmade in Hethel (Norfolk) - Lotus' most extreme vehicle, the Exige, was developed from Elise roots, introducing a V6 engine, aero, and generally extreme amounts of sportiness. Lotus said it is "rewarding on the road - and supreme on the track"
There is a common misconception that the hefty tradition and hand crafted nature of the Lotus Elise means it hasn't really changed much - allow us to correct this most egregious error. The Rover K-Series engine was replaced by a Toyota engine, which was then replaced by a newer, improved Toyota engine. Then it was supercharged - why not? Remember Toyota have an amazing track record in performance engines and superchargers (reference the 2JZ Supra engine which is almost biblical in motorsport history). The frame and bodywork of the Elise were replaced; as well as the collision frames, brakes, gearbox, suspension, and tyres. So actually the Elise has managed to remain a distinct icon - but has almost no original parts - this has kept the Lotus Elise a current model for 25 years.
It's going to get tiresome how often you hear that the Lotus Elise is light. You'll just have to accept that - because this crucial feature affects every part of the drive - the Elise is just insanely light at around 900kg. Bear in mind Eddie Hall managed to deadlift 500kg in his World Record.
The featherweight of the Elise means that 245bhp and 184lb ft torque are enough to run a 0-60 dash in under four seconds (remember a Bugatti Veyron needs 1000BHP to perform a 2.5 second 0-60) . The same logic applies to the rapid cornering - only needing narrow 175mm and 195mm section tyres (Nissan GTR requires a 285mm tyre to keep that beast under control).
Even for a beginner, an Elise has such an intrinsic equilibrium, an instantaneous and continuous sense of unity between elements, that it becomes enticing and relaxed within minutes. There's an unmistakable sensation of being the pivotal point from which the vehicle pivots, perfectly neutral and receptive.
One final point has to be raised about the gearbox - it is impeccably precise. The shifts happen almost instinctively - no fumbling around trying to find a gear. Lotus even said themselves that drivers shouldn't be careful with the gearbox "if you want a gear, get the gear."
