The New MY17.5 Lotus Elise Sport 220 Review
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- čas přidán 23. 05. 2017
- Lotus have recently updated the Elise in the wake of the launch of the new Elise Sprint. That car is lighter, leaner and meaner, but the regular Elise now has some of the same tricks too, including a brand new gearshift.
As an owner of the iconic and lunatic 111R, what will I think of the latest breed of supercharged car?
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Great stuff James, single handedly promoting Lotus to the world. Lets hope Geely find some funds to share the burden. Love the 250 Cup too.
Great video James, love the gear shifter!
Thank you JayEmm. I've been looking for a decent full review of the Elise Sport 220 for some time, but most of them were rubbish. You gave me the detail I needed. Like myself, you are a current Lotus driver, so you know what a proper driver's car is all about. Excellent!
That Orange Exige 350 in the background looks stunning. Great video btw.
Been looking forward to this review, nicely done James, most informative. As you mentioned earlier, you 'knocked it out of the park' with this video. Love the ending, we all can dream! Keep 'em coming.
man I love the camera you use, the 4k is simply a joy to see. Thanks
Thanks! Glad it is appreciated
You should review the Alfa 4C. Would love to hear comparisons with the Elise from an owner.
Really great video (again!)... You capture very well what makes the car so great.
I own a 2011 Elise S3 (100kW). I agree, the 220 (I know what I'm talking about, have driven one around the Hethel track) has a lot more punch for not too much money more. Still, for the everyday driver, I would suggest you're not too bad off with the entry model. Compared to sports versions of hatchbacks it's something dramatically different - and it's not slow at 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. Around bends it beats a lot of cars anyway.
Considering where your can take really advantage on the road of the extra power, to me, the standard Elise is a very good choice. With all the traffic and speed limits, I have rather to pay attention not to exceed the limits. And bear in mind, we do have the Autobahn in Germany...
In my very personal oppinion that supercharger noise became annoying after not too long. I have a K&N filter and Moto Concept exhaust on it that for sure are not silencing the car. They give it a throaty note. The supercharger whines and I just didn't like that over time.
That said, if you're a daily or frequent driver, fuel economy is on the plus side of the entry model, too. I drive my Elise quite often and I love open top (spirited) driving along country roads. Still I don't exceed 7l/100 km (around 40 mpg).
To me, no matter how much horsepower you prefer, to me most of the fun of Elise driving is the brilliant handling. Lots of cars accelerate quickly but nothing goes around the bends like an Elise. That's why I just love the car.
Keep up the great work on all things Lotus!
6.5sec is almost a second slower than the base S2 with the 1zz engine :/
3 years later and this is still one of the only (and best) review of the Elise Sport 220. Thanks for this, I'm currently looking at this (used) or a 981 Boxster S (PDK). Quite different cars I know. It won't be a daily, but I do want to go on weekend trips away or longer with the wife. My head is saying Porsche, but my heart is saying the Lotus... 🤔🙂
What did you go for in the end?
....that gear shift mechanism is just mechanical artistry, beautiful to look at and watch in motion when you get the chance.
You told me to subscribe so I just did. Great review style
Dude , keep it that way , thumbs up from Bulgaria , great video ... especially the end with the Cup version :D , if you want a sport car - who cares about the audio ;)
Good review James.
Congratulations on leaving Jamie without buying anything, you are a greater man than me.
Well done James, another great video. We'll get you on Topgear by next year...
Jamind7bjp is that a compliment or an insult?
John Connor of course it was meant is a compliment. James would be fantastic on a more car focus TG.
What a truly excellent video , in my opinion this should be the standard that others should aspire to..........many congratulations James M. Now what about your opinion of the 3-11 and , putting you straight in at the deep end how about the Nurburgring .!,
Thanks for the video, cheers
@James Martin : You're killing me with all these awesome cars I cant buy!!!! Lotus needs to get their act together, and ship these cars across the pond some how!
Do you have a video of the sound? Im really curious. Great video!
To me, I feel the s2 version of the Elise is the best. Sure it may not have as many features, but it looks amazing. I feel the deck panelling is better than the black mesh the s3 has.
I am in the process of trading my M440i in for an Elise which even in my head is crazy but I took it for a testdrive from Leven Lotus in Edinburgh and fell in love with it. The 440 is a blunt instrument while the little Elise was just fun
I am thinking of buying one as well. Honestly I'd rather have a beater daily and this as a second car then a BMW M
The BMW's are great great cars, but you do feel the weight
Please, oh please film that elise cup 👌
Great video! Have you recorded the sound? Thanks
11:18 that 380 though beautiful!
liked the video a lot, very imformative
Great watch..............I've watched this a couple of times and have now just traded in my Caterham 620s for a new Elise 220 Sport mainly for wayyyyy more usability. Why did I not buy a Cup250? Ground clearance, I haven't seen one yet without a badly scuffed splitter, I don't need more downforce on a B road!!!! LOL. Carbon seats are ace though and I don't have them. Boo
2:07 I think the old front looked way cleaner and nicer then the new one..
As always great video James.
Given Lotus's connection with Toyota I wonder why they didn't explore the option of using that FA20 flat four from the 86/BRZ
Whew I'm glad they didn't. That engine was the weakest feature of the original twins
Lotus are great, on my second one!
Hi thanks for your videos ? Would you make a comparison between elise sport and the new elise sprint , especially in terms of driving if sprint its worth. Thankss
You post what I care about. Thanks! (BTW, as a Yank, I am still freaked out that you Brits insist upon driving on the wrong side of the road. :-) )
I like the old gen front, allot better. The four headlights looked more exotic
nah, this is nicer.
How about a review of the Volvo S60 Polestar? It has a 2.0l 362 bhp super/turbo charged engine that just might be making its way into an Elise.
why would you need a remote for the stereo in an elise?
2020 model looks amazing. And the move to a flat four with turbo is a great idea.
I dont think anyome has said about a flat 4
JayEmm on Cars I know an engineer who works for Proton and he has a few contacts in the biz. He reckoned they will move to a new power train and make the car more conventional. They will also improve the awful build quality and generally shoddy nature of their cars. Which is good to hear.
The Who reference in the intro? Have my upvote!
Thankyou kind sir
I was about to say Lotus should start putting 4-pot calipers on the 220 but it doesn't really need it because it's so light
i'd like to personally Thank the recovering alcoholic Homeless Guy that did all the filming. Great first effort.
Subscribed!
Being a owner of a 250 cup, like to see what Lotus are going to do with the update model, I know it's coming Central did have 2 cups on Order, and Lotus have delayed them due they facelift, I am one that's likes to see updates even if they are better than the one I have, love the opengate gear shift and the Front Clam, not sure about the rear single lights, love my Cup, hope the new one comes and blows me away.
And sorry James a other great Video
Lots of options but actually not that expensive each. However .... 50k for an Elise.... hmmmm
will you be driving an Alfa 4c anytime soon or doing a review of one James?
I was considering purchasing one and wanted to hear your opinion first, as I have alot of respect for your knowledge on sports cars and also would make a great video ! thanks for the reply.
Stop it, stop it, stop it! Every time I watch your video I end up on auto trader..... it's only a matter of time..... ;)
Daft question (from a Caterham 310R owner)....is there anywhere to stow the hood, or do you leave it at home??? Great vid old chap!
Oh dear - that means I'm officially tempted! cheers Keith W
Any chance of a comparison between a noble and an elise?
Thanks, informative. Intonation (spelling?) seems over egged. When you're peaking naturally it's easier to feel involved but at times intonation seems overly contrived...
Elise is the cutest sportscar on the market. Even cuter than Alfa 4C :)
no
That 250 CUP is PRON!
That's my car in the back! @12min mark. lol
250 Cup next!!!
I find that my Nitrons actually improved the "crashy" experience over the sport suspension. Is this car using the base suspension? Who makes the shocks?
Bilstein I believe
Have you done a piece on the 2007 mk2 s yet?
Do you still have the red Elise? I can't find many videos you've done on it.
No it went a while ago
Jay, a simple question. Would you spend 35 k on an Elise S3..... Yes or no... I respect your opinion
The right one, yeah
My 05 Federal car has a 2zz (obviously) and pulls strongly from low down in the rev range. Not 'push you in the back of the seat power', but certainly 'get you past two cyclists easily power'.
Which would you a get /prefer a 111r elise or 220 sport (with or without the 2017 gearbox)?
220 Sport all the way. Much better built car
JayEmm on Cars perfect . thanks JayEmm. I better get saving 😀
I dont understand why lotus cant put more power in these cars. For this money, its very possible. Even the new civic R has way more power. Imagine how fun these would be, with that kind of power!
how much does the driver weigh
i think its blindingly obvious why they have not put engine covers on its to allow cold air around it as its difficult to get cold air into a rear mounted engine if you put covers on the hot air will find it harder to escape which the cold air through the vents will push out
Yeah who cares if it looks less tidy? I'd rather see the engine that a hunk of black plastic
Still happy with my old decat 1zz 2tubular, Lancia Evo2, golf GTI, Golf mk2 country syncro. Maybe a few quid more but no thanks. Buy smart. Buy when they are cheap.
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa meet the new boss same as an old boss
That's BMW 4 series Coupe 440 M money, in Estoril Blue.
Not to mention there's a BMW around every corner! Unfortunately for me, the only way I can enjoy these beautiful cars, is subscribe to your great channel. And I don't need to worry about depreciation and running costs!
I can't wait, regards Archie.
In 2009 I brought a brand new one for exactly half the price, can't understand why such a hike in price
I just hope this "new" elise had a water-air inter-cooler.
does anyone know if it's possible to get an elise with a paddleshift option? I don't think I've ever seen one so I'd be interested to know if it's even on the table
A very few were made once for the driving academy. They did get into the wild, but they aren't very good
@@JayEmmOnCars huh, that's a shame. it'll be interesting to see what the transmission options are for the next generation,- I imagine that an auto will be offered to appeal to a larger market but god I hope they don't forget that fully exposed manual
Is that "suspiciously like Estoril Blue", to go with "suspiciously like Aston Martin Meterorite Grey" and "suspiciously like Rosso Corsa"?!
Why don't they test the car and shipped them to the United States?
2020 can't come soon enough....
I just want to know how you get in and get out of that thing 😂
Like a hermit crab getting out of a shell
51k, that is the entry ticket for a used 350 with a ridiculous 3k miles on the clock ... 1200 pounds for a carbon seal ? What the hell ...Not sure how bell and coleville is going to sell that one !
New intakes look great. Lights are wack.
It really is my dream car but it's slowly becoming more and more unobtainable unfortunately. Great review though!
You want a 1ZZ in your Elise, James, the 2ZZ is virtually torqueless!
Yea. I have one of the 1ZZ cars. The low and mid range is really good. The 2ZZ is only better when on the higher cam, which isn't always great on the road.
Also the 5 speed gearbox is better than the 6 speed. More durable as well.
@@BlatentlyFakeName True, in fact the torque is higher in the 1ZZ up to about 4,500 IMS
Yes,it's true,1zz is more torquey and the 5 speeds gearbox is better..
Sorry, but there is no new 2020 Elise. Only a new car based on the Evora platform for 2020 - 2023
Yeah that's what they are saying now, we'll have to wait and see what actually happens
Are you going to be driving it in your high heels then Jay? :-)
Need to care for those carbon sills...! I still need to get the S1 to you for a review!
What in all that is HOLY is that at 14:43 second?
Noble M600 is sick car. Totally radical. Like F40.
When the SUV overtakes him around 5minutes-ish, it’s wheels are around window height. 😵
Yet anther good video James but you should really leave the intro imho, no need for it.
Just a flyby from the 400 will do ;-)
£ 38 , 000 !!!!!!!!!!!! SAY NO MORE
Am I the only person that said "say I'm the only bee in your bonnet" after 1:48?
Why is the world in love again?
Amazed anyone buys that 134hp Elise, I get these cars are all about their chassis but that's just nothing
I did and I don't regret it for a second. The 2ZZ is embarrassing to drive and there's more torque in the S. Power=speed, torque=fun.
Hywel Thomas what do you mean about the 2zz being embarrassing?
@@OurCognitiveSurplus Maybe I went too far there, but I test drove the R (2zz) years years ago and I was embarrassed by the fact that I had the rev the bollocks off it everywhere I went. The S (1ZZ) has got more torque than the R up to around 5000 rpm (if memory serves) and is so much more fun to drive. That and the fact it is still 5.8 seconds to 60 means that it is not slow. For me anyway, the S is far more fun to drive.
Zigger Limited Thanks for that! I drive a 1ZZ and I’m thinking that maybe I ought to upgrade to 2zz. But perhaps I should drive it first and see if I have the same problem. I appreciate your time!
@@OurCognitiveSurplus Absolutely, it's only a personal view but I definitely prefer the 1ZZ. I recommend trying the 2ZZ and see what you think first. Check out this chat: www.spyderchat.com/threads/advantage-of-1zz-over-2zz.45057/
Wow that was an expensive Elise.
Im sorry it just looks like the quality of the elise is going down now...no more engine covers,boring dials,ugly rear lights uglier front...i have a laser blue elise 111r 2zzge with 192 bhp with touring pack leather seats leather trim and everything it just looks so much better and nicer in comparison..i love it to bits the elise is such much great fun but this is a little let down for me..not a fan of this new design sadly....
James Martin thank you :),im really curious what the new model will look like in 2020..which one do you prefer?this one or your 111r?:)
James Martin allright looking forward to it ;),
Austin Kassman its not about brand identity...thats a whole other thing...it just shows the elise s3 platform is starting to show its age...my 111r dry weighs in at around 860kg,i bet this is going about the 1000 around 1 ton...i just dont see why they feel to delete the rear lights and make the third braking light in the middle of the car...while it looks nicer in the interior.though i like the front fascia with the new daytime running headlights.
Is it overpriced?? Yes.
have you driven one?
Fifty-one grand for this colourful little rollerskate will, no doubt, have appeal to some folk with more money than sense. "Ooh a Lotus and its impeccable racing heritage." And yet this particular product is the epitome of why Lotus cannot break out of it's mould. That being an over-priced attractive fringe car by a manufacturer always on the edge of bankruptcy, lacking comprehensive dealerships and seemingly perpetually for sale to any and all wannabe large manufacturers that never seem to understand the product or the potential of Chapman continuity. The badge has lost its one time lustre to the Norfolk clime.
von Coconut ....thanks god you don’t need to buy one🙄😉 I bought my second one and it’s super fun - very reliable too....
Great all out sports car, but for the money,I'd get a Porsche.
Mark Hall ....totally different proportions.... your comment illustrates well that you are clearly not on top of it!
Utterly ridiculously priced.
Update,
Lotus were saved by the Elise! So give it the respect it deserves and price it properly so it sells.
If they sold these at the 25K everyone thinks they can then they would lose money on every one
JayEmm on Cars
Agree,
It’s a 30-35k car James not 50k
Way too expensive. £51K for an Elise! Yikes.
OK, I subscribed, but for Christ's sake, please keep your feet in the damn frame!
I'll pass your notes on
@@JayEmmOnCars Haha, trying to be a bit snarky but probably came off as being a prick. Your videos are actually filmed quite well, which makes some of the framing issues stand out that much more. Your full body wide shots can sometimes be framed a bit better, but this one was particularly difficult if cutting off feet is a pet peeve! Also maybe get something with a better image stabilizer for your interior driving shots, but that's severe nitpicking and a problem pretty much everyone has doing this. This concludes this installment of armchair cinematographer!
It's a good car, but not 51k pounds good...
James Martin the 1.6 seems even more absurd for the money. The weakest here is the 1.8. Not sure what specs are in the Uk