ConvertibleLotus Cars80% by Neofiliac Team85% by External Reviewers

Lotus Elise Series 3

Targa

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Photo 0of Lotus Elise Series 3Photo 1of Lotus Elise Series 3Photo 2of Lotus Elise Series 3Photo 3of Lotus Elise Series 3Photo 4of Lotus Elise Series 3Photo 5of Lotus Elise Series 3Photo 6of Lotus Elise Series 3Photo 7of Lotus Elise Series 3

Product Overview

Lotus Elise Series 3 is a subcompact targa / convertible sports car in production from 2011 to 2022. It was available with a range of inline-4 engines that displaced 1.6 to 1.8 liters.
Compared to its predecessor, the Elise 3 is but an evolution. The car remains very light and fully focused on handling. New is the introduction of a supercharged engine with outputs well in excess of 200 hp.
Utility-minded owners will likely need to keep an alternative for hauling things around, as the tiny cargo space is almost surely insufficient.
Drivers who appreciate handling will be pleased to know that the Lotus Elise comes with double-wishbone suspensions at all four corners.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 80%
Pros
  • Very light
  • Great handling
  • Much higher output than before
  • Decent performation
Cons
  • Somewhat ugly
  • Only available with small engines
  • Very little cargo space

What external reviewers found

External score 85%
Pros
  • Superb handling
  • Superb infotainment system
Cons
  • Lack of refinement
  • Poor cabin quality
  • Not as fun as a regular Elise
  • Not the most fun to drive
  • Pricier than Sport 220
  • Faulty brake calipers and gear levers

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Specifications

Variants shown:
Elise
Elise CR
Elise Cup 250
Elise Cup 260
Elise Cup R
Elise S
Elise S CR
Elise S Cup
Elise Sport
Elise Sport 220

External Reviews

autocar[1]

Reviewer score 90% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from autocar have found:
The Lotus Elise was born in 1996, the year Charles and Diana got divorced, Take That split up and Dolly the sheep – the world’s first cloned mammal – was born. There are no fewer than five such ‘Final Edition’ models, three pertaining to the various Exiges that remain on sale. We’re focusing on this one because it uses as its base the now defunct ‘standard’ Sport 220 Elise and comes with a 23bhp power upgrade to reach the 240bhp mentioned in its title.
Pros
  • Gorgeous styling
  • Excellent handling
  • Fantastic handling
Cons
  • Pricier than Sport 220
  • Limited number of engines

autoexpress[2]

Reviewer score 81% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from autoexpress have found:
The Elise is one of the few cars on the road with no power steering, which results in a fantastic accuracy and amount of feel through the wheel. Ride quality is pretty good for such a focused car and even the race-orientated Cup model delivers a surprising level of comfort. The Elise is an absolutely tiny car so practicality is very poor, in fact the only load area is just 112 litres. Build quality could do with being slightly better, though.
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Impressive handling
  • Superb infotainment system
Cons
  • No power steering
  • Poor cabin quality

carmagazine[3]

Reviewer score 98% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from carmagazine have found:
With some heat in the tyres and a perfect launch, this Elise takes off like a prodded grasshopper. Its six-speed manual 'box is perhaps a little agricultural, but shift with conviction and you'll find a selection of ratios that are well matched to the engine. It's a shame that the Elise's supercharged engine still doesn't sound particularly fruity.
Pros
  • Superb handling
  • Powerful engine
  • Impressive handling
Cons
  • Not the most fun to drive

Also Check

Product ComparisonProducts in ConvertibleProducts by Lotus CarsKeyword dohcKeyword double-wishboneKeyword manual-transmissionKeyword rwdKeyword superchargedKeyword targa

References

  1. ^ Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition 2021 UK review. [autocar].
  2. ^ Lotus Elise review. [autoexpress].
  3. ^ Lotus Elise Cup 250 (2016) review. [carmagazine].

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