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TestDrive: Lotus Elise 111R
Where to start...
Yesterday, wednesday, 19:00, i had the opportunity of fulfilling a dream, to drive the Lotus Elise 111R, after a friend of mine had he's run, i sat down, a bit strange having to pass the left leg over the door sill, i'm sure there's a better way of doing it.
Once inside everything, and i meen everything is in your reach, there's more than enough space for you and the passenger, the stearing wheel is small just the right size, the gear knob is right next to the stearing wheel, the driving position is great, you just need to sit down and that's it, your body just falls in the seat.
I put my seat belt on, pressed the immobilizer key and started the car, what a sound, deep roar comes out from the rear, just tap the accelerator and it comes alive, the rev counter only starts to make sence after 3000 or 4000, i can't quite recolect, before that you have really small markings telling you where 1000, 2000, 3000rpm are and then it shows like a regular rev counter.
The pedals are in the right spot, perfect shape and size, even for my big feet :D
I engage first, awsome gearbox, precise, a longer throw than neded but very precise, clockwork, you can hear everything that appens in there, i start leting go of the clutch hoping not to make an ass of myself, but everything is fine, the clutch is civilized! we start moving, the engine runs perfectly at low revs, no hicups at all.
I start moving and pass to 2nd, can't resist and start pushing the pedal harder, no word from the Lotus dealer seating next to me, i push all the way the car jumps to 5000rpm in a flash, the engine didn't even sounded like it was pushing at thoose revs, he looks at me and says that the magic appens past 6000.
I keep driving the car, in a civilized manner, the rev counter hardly moves, the dealer tells me up ahead theres a nice straight to see the vvti work, i turn around the corner and there it is! From third to second gear, i pound the accelerator, the rev counter goes past 4000, 5000, hits 6000 and it happens! the rev counter starts moving at twice the speed, you feel the difference in acceleration imediatly, the forces aren't brutal and you feel allways in control, it probably went up to 8000, i just saw the litlle red light bipping and shifted to third, the rev counter goes right back to the 6000 marker and the car just keeps on pushing, the sound is awsome! at thoose revs everyone in the surroundings and on the other streets could hear it, it's so loud and so beautifull!
I start breaking not to hit a lory, again flawless, from 150kms/h to 0 like you where driving at 50kms. Did i mention it was driving in a rough road? i think in english its called a pebble road (estrada de paralelo), the suspension works like a dream, confortable, very confortable, thoose who say it can't be driven as an everyday car: 1-are liyng, 2-have been payed to lie, 3-just have no idea what they are talking about! it's that great! Even the stearing is light, responsive, doesn't budge on the rough road.
We went on doing some more "acceleration tests" the dealer kept saying to push it, the let the other cars move forward to give the Elise space to move and floor it! We ran around the city a bit, then some highway time.
Overall it's been one of the greatest experiences i've ever had! The car IS PERFECT! no flaws, none! it's a grown man's toy without a doubt, everything is where i should be inside and out.
If i had the 60.000€ they ask for it, i'd give it in a second! no worrys, no regrets what so ever.
It is THAT good! The best car i've ever driven.
Sorry about the mispellings, i'm still a bit in shock! :D
