It’s laborious to imagine that the Lotus Elise has been in manufacturing for 25 years however because of its ingenious engineering, it nonetheless feels contemporary and thrilling because the day it debuted again in 1996.

As 2021 would be the final yr of manufacturing for each the Elise and the Exige, Lotus is paying tribute to its iconic roadster with a special Final Edition model. Carfection’s Henry Catchpole reminds us why the Lotus Elise is taken into account one of many best driver’s automobiles round.

Learn Extra: Lotus Marks The End Of An Era With New Final Editions Of Elise And Exige

Aside from the required decals and inside plaque, the Remaining Version of the Lotus Elise is fitted with a extra highly effective model of the supercharged Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which right here makes  240 HP and 180 lb-ft (244 Nm) of torque.

0-60 mph is a matter of 4.1 seconds, because of its rather excellent power-to-weight ratio of 260bhp per tonne. Lotus says that while you specify all of the optionally available carbon bits, the burden determine is simply 898 kg (1,979 lbs).

Inside, you’ll discover a digital instrument cluster that offers you the selection between two screens, a brand new steering wheel in leather-based and Alcantara with a flat backside for higher leg clearance, in addition to new seat trims and sew patterns.  The remainder of it stays as is, which means probably the most spartan and tight cabins within the enterprise, serving to the driving force deal with the factor that issues essentially the most: driving.

That’s as a result of the Elise stays one of many most rewarding, back-to-basics driving machines you should buy in the present day. Because of its aluminum tub, the little Lotus can nonetheless cowl floor at a extremely quick tempo whereas flooding the driving force with detailed suggestions throughout the course of.

Will probably be a tragic day for driving fanatics when the final Lotus Elise rolls off the manufacturing line, so get one when you can.