The Elise - what to expect
Discussion
Although I don't have one now, I had one of the first series 1 Elise in the UK years ago. The S2, and now the S2 with Toyota power, are all variations on the original theme, which has'nt changed.
They are wonderful cars ! I plan to get another sometime soon if i can ( new business allowing! ) .
They are very hard to describe to someone who has'nt tried one.
The chassis is amazing - and it inspired a lot of very hi-tech cars to come. The aluminium tub is made from a special technique , using technology where pieces are extruded from soft/semi molten aluminum , with the pieces then glued together. This technology is now used in fighter planes.
The outcome is that the chassis is very stiff and very light. It gives the car an amazing, connected feeling, and the steering is just awesome. It turns and steers like a kart, and all the time you can sense the car under your feet, hands, bum, everywhere ! It feels alive !
Very light, the car will feel very fast. Be prepared however, for a buzzy and pretty noisy engine just a few inches behind your head - but as you redline it , it will sound and feel like a racecar.
And it is true - getting in and out of the car is a challenge, but you get used to it. With the roof on - its like climbing in through a narrow window of your house, and hard to to be dignified !
But to drive - they are amazing.
Here in the UK, we are now very used to seeing crowds of Elise turning up and track days and events, where it is commonplace on the twistier circuits to see a little Elise buzzing all over faster and more expensive machinery ! Very entertaining - they are especially good at embarrassing Ferrari owners..
They are wonderful cars ! I plan to get another sometime soon if i can ( new business allowing! ) .
They are very hard to describe to someone who has'nt tried one.
The chassis is amazing - and it inspired a lot of very hi-tech cars to come. The aluminium tub is made from a special technique , using technology where pieces are extruded from soft/semi molten aluminum , with the pieces then glued together. This technology is now used in fighter planes.
The outcome is that the chassis is very stiff and very light. It gives the car an amazing, connected feeling, and the steering is just awesome. It turns and steers like a kart, and all the time you can sense the car under your feet, hands, bum, everywhere ! It feels alive !
Very light, the car will feel very fast. Be prepared however, for a buzzy and pretty noisy engine just a few inches behind your head - but as you redline it , it will sound and feel like a racecar.
And it is true - getting in and out of the car is a challenge, but you get used to it. With the roof on - its like climbing in through a narrow window of your house, and hard to to be dignified !
But to drive - they are amazing.
Here in the UK, we are now very used to seeing crowds of Elise turning up and track days and events, where it is commonplace on the twistier circuits to see a little Elise buzzing all over faster and more expensive machinery ! Very entertaining - they are especially good at embarrassing Ferrari owners..
Do you think people underestimate the US market, and the capacity for enthusiasts to get into the Elise?
I am sure that there will be some people who have their name down because they heard that it was a cool car, or thought it might be fashionable. If the only experience they have is a Lexus or a Taurus - they are in for a shock !
But I am not sure that there will be many like this. Instead, perhaps the Elise will surprise everyone with just how well received it will be !?
After all, BMW were not sure if the Mini would be a hit as they worried it was just too small , and Americans never understood the appeal of the original Mini as it never got to he US. How wrong they were !
I predict the Elise is going to be huge stateside...look forward to seeing thousands of them hounding US musclecars on the circuits !
I am sure that there will be some people who have their name down because they heard that it was a cool car, or thought it might be fashionable. If the only experience they have is a Lexus or a Taurus - they are in for a shock !
But I am not sure that there will be many like this. Instead, perhaps the Elise will surprise everyone with just how well received it will be !?
After all, BMW were not sure if the Mini would be a hit as they worried it was just too small , and Americans never understood the appeal of the original Mini as it never got to he US. How wrong they were !
I predict the Elise is going to be huge stateside...look forward to seeing thousands of them hounding US musclecars on the circuits !
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