Lotus Elise S Club Racer: Extreme Diet - Sports Cars
FOR CLEANER of engines Lotus Elise S Club Racer it is strong stuff. For starters, she is Eliza and as such she is one of the playful the most well-groomed and perfect in the world. Thus, being the letter S, it has compressor which guarantees power more than enough and a lot couple easily accessible for record overtaking. Add to all this the Club Racer charm, which makes a car, already baked to the bone, even lighter and more spartan, it is impossible not to fall in love with it. This is the car that we all somehow expected, because the original Club Racer with engine gasped, he makes a lot of promises, but then doesn't keep them: his 1.6 is obedient, but not firm enough. And now, finally, this Club Racer version of the more powerful Elise S must deliver on all of its unfulfilled promises.
The S Club Racer weighs 15 kg less than the standard Elise S. All thanks to the lack of stereo (4 kg), sound insulation, dey floor mats (4,5 kg) and cases roof (5,9 kg). Optionally, you can also deleteair bag optional, so the less kg, the less 19 (and also price falls accordingly). More purists can save other precious pounds by eliminating alloy wheels (1,5 kg), replacing Battery with a lighter air filter with one in carbon and installing one sports exhaustwhich is only for lane... If you are saving weight, you can lose another 0,06kg by installing one weapon lighter on the hood!
Ei blue laser livery circles Satin black further enhances the already charming Elise line, making you smile even before driving. THE points made of blue plastic with very small padding, makes it clear that this machine is very serious about saving the weight... But when you sit down, it's more comfortable than it sounds. Of course, feeling uncomfortable is always uncomfortable, but as soon as you step over the threshold, slip into the welded aluminum structure, sit down and fasten your seat belts, you feel like an integral part of the car.
The connection with the vehicle is enhanced by the driver's role in driving fast. Let's start with the fact that there is a pedal Clutch and lever Speed which, for those who are no longer accustomed to their presence and do not remember what they are for, force you to shift gears by depressing the pedal with your left foot, moving the gear lever and finally taking your foot off the pedal. If you have a short left leg and very muscular toes due to the use of paddles, S Club Racer not for you. IN steering - always the main character on Lotus - he is not helped and requires a certain force to maneuver at low speed. But as you pick up the pace, things get better, and while the steering remains strong and physical enough to pass on any signal, just flex your wrists slightly.
With a name like that and an obsession with weight, it's clear that the Club Racer is a car designed primarily for lanebut being based on the standard Elise S it is also a very good road sports car. With 220 hp. and 250 Nm of torque to move a weight of just over 850 kg, performance they are great. It's a car bordering on perfection, and not just because you can have fun without risking losing your license. IN Toyota 1.8 with compressor it combines remarkable low to mid-range torque with an insatiable thirst for revs. Even sound this is fantastic, the whistle of the compressor is heard enough, but does not dominate the soundtrack. At the same time, the exhaust pops pleasantly.
КакEliza evolved, suspensions became tougher and bus wider, at least at the back. On the Elise S, this contributes to a more aggressive driving style. capture and extreme vehicle control. The softness for which the Elise is so well known and loved remains, the steering is much more responsive and informs you of even the smallest surface and grade changes without bombarding you with useless information. Grip is great, so you have to push hard to make the front or rear lose traction, but you know very well when it does because the car tells you exactly what it is doing.
In dry conditions, the traction control system is useless, and in wet conditions it is very useful. At the level of balance S Club Racer it is completely neutral at whatever speed you throw it curve... It's amazing to research his talents and get close to what you think is the limit and then find that he is far superior to others. THE brakes they inspire a lot of confidence and the initial run is no longer as dumb as on previous S2 models, where it eroded your confidence and made the heel-to-toe climb less clear. TO roof found yourself tugging at her neck as the cabin filled with the unmistakable scent of hot tires. This machine engages all your senses.
The Club Racer is a great car, there's no doubt about it. But the question is: do you feel less kg? It's hard to answer. I'm sure if you get off the Elise S and immediately get on a Club Racer with at least equipment, you'll notice it right away. However, the sample we're testing isn't completely redesigned, as it has a stereo and roof, in addition to the exhaust and air filter that come as standard. It seems absurd to have a Club Racer and then weigh it like this, but the truth is that with it, choosing what to wear and what to take off is a matter of balance: you can take everything off and get a very light car that, however, ends up being too many compromises and unpleasant to drive on the road.
But since the essence of the Club Racer is lightness, isn't that a contradiction? No, because, as is often the case with these cars, the most important thing is that you get to choose. We all know that weight loss is a pure performance solution, and that every pound saved was sweaty. This approach gives the car a special aura, an aura that also has Club racer... But you have to choose. To summarize, this Eliza it's fun, capable, and fun. And it once again confirms everything there Lotus it has always been that way, which is hardly a bad thing after the madness of the last few years. We love it.
