2007 Lotus Elise
Written by tonks on August 21, 2007 
Lotus is famous for their very first Elise in 1996 when it became the world’s first production-car chassis made of epoxy-bonded aluminum extrusions. It’s a true sports car full of speed and agility. But we do have to warn you that it isn’t a car full of luxury.
The 2007 Lotus Elise is a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive, midengine roadster available in one trim level. The interior is understandably spartan, but must-haves like air-conditioning and a CD player are standard. There is an A/C-delete option available to save weight.
Several option packages offer a bit of customization: The Touring Pack includes leather seating, power windows, a stowage net, a double-insulated soft top, additional sound-deadening material and full carpeting. On top of that, you can add the Premium Pack, which provides leather trim on the shift knob and parking brake handle, an upgraded sound system with satellite radio capability and an iPod adapter, and a cupholder.
The Elise has a bonded, extruded aluminum chassis. It features four-wheel-independent suspension, Eibach coil springs, Bilstein gas shock absorbers, eight-spoke cast-aluminum wheels, and Yokohama tires. All these things allow the Elise to have incredible handling. There is optional traction control and a limited-slip differential.
Power for the Elise comes from a Yamaha-built, Toyota-badged 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Lotus fitted unique intake and exhaust components, as well as a reworked engine controller, to broaden the engine’s power band and push peak hp to 190 at 7,800 rpm. Torque peaks at 138 pound-feet at 6,800 rpm.
The Elise’s non-power steering feels as natural as anything you have ever driven. Not only does the Elise exhibit superb balance and grip through the turns, its exceptionally low curb weight allows it to react to driver inputs much faster than other cars.
