Launched yesterday. Will be at the motorshow. Full details and pictures at:

It looks a lot more aggressive than the current one.

Get's my vote.

Just read an article in one of the Monthly car mags saying that there will be no Sport 160 derivatives in this format.

Anybody any idea if this will be dropped... if so i had better rush and get 1 now or maybe an Exige !!!

Jason

Initially, there will only be 120bhp versions and the standard car won't be available until after Christmas. The production line are making standard cars + one of the two option packs first. Only blue and silver colours available. Only 300 cars will be made this year. Don't expect a discount yet. You can get a cheap 160 now if you are quick, dealer stock only left.

The 160 engine has been dropped temporarily but expect a 160 and 190 upgrade mid 2001. This is due to emiisions regs. Lotus had no time to sort out the ECU and diagnostics to get it through the emmissions tests before the motorshow.

My standard Elise was almost as quick as my Impreza turbo and faster off the line (in the dry). The latest Elise has close ratio gear box to improve accelleration but the larger wheels (16" front, 17" rear) negate some of the effect, hence the 5.7secs 0-60.

The 'face-lift' is a better one than the Impreza though. And if it handles better than the old car I'll be well happy.

Rob.

Hobsons choice then eh...

Get an old 160 now and live with then old styling... (still rather nice !) or wait till mid 2001... i think the later maybe the best bet....

However, what about the Exige.. does it stay in old Elise look or does it go to the new Elise look in the next year.. i suspect it will stay in its current form which is a shame.....

Jason

My mate is very undecided as to if its nicer than his Elise 160, I t5hink untill thay make a hot one it wont pull his thing for him.

I like it but I wouldnt swap a 160 for it.

I guess as a Lotus (and Scooby) fan I am biased but it looks great to me, much more agressive and purposeful and a decent roof. If I had £23k, no kids and no nagging wife...