New Lotus Elise Supercharged SC

October 08 2008

* Model: Lotus Elise SC 1.8
* Bodystyle: two-door roadster
* Engine: 1.8 four-cylinder supercharged, petrol
* Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

What is it?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

The fastest and most powerful Elise you can buy, the supercharged Elise SC knocks on the door of its much more extreme Exige brother in raw performance terms. But the numbers only tell half the story, the Elise SC rather different in character than the more track focused Exige, despite their apparent similarities on the spec sheet.

With 217bhp and a kerb weight of just 903kg performance is absolutely ballistic though, with 62mph coming up in just 4.6 seconds and 100mph in a frankly astonishing 10.7 seconds - the same as a Porsche 911 costing twice as much. If you want maximum thrills for minimum expenditure you'll do well to better the Elise.

* GALLERY: Lotus Elise SC

Where does it fit?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

The Elise range kicks off with the 1.8-litre Toyota-powered S with 134bhp and costing £24950. For £28550 the R adds variable valve timing and boasts a much more serious 189bhp, the SC adding a supercharger and costing £32550. Price-wise the SC is up against the Boxster and its ilk but this side of minimalist track specials there really is nothing like it.

Character wise the Elise range offers three subtly different flavours. The S is low on power but high on fun, the more manic R hiding its best way up in the revs with peak torque coming in at 6800rpm! The SC's supercharger boosts power further but aids flexibility too, the motor punching hard all the way to 8000rpm.
Is it for you?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

Thrill seekers will love the Elise, the SC's status as the most powerful in the range only adding to the appeal. The broad rev range and elastic power delivery mean the SC feels punchy in every situation, becoming ever more urgent and explosive as the revs increase.

The rest of the controls are tuned to match too, the unassisted steering incredibly fluid at speed and the pedals and gearshift totally lacking any slack or hesitation. The light weight creates a driving experience unlike any other too, leaving you able to brake later and turn harder than you ever thought possible.
What does it do well?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

Well it's obviously huge fun to drive and, thanks to the neatly integrated supercharger, seriously fast with it. The performance is very accessible too, which fits the Elise's brief of being more usable away from the race track than the much more focused Exige. To that end the ride is taut but compliant with it, helped by super lightweight forged wheels.

These come with the optional sport pack, which also adds the very clever Lotus traction control system, Bilstein dampers and ultra minimal but surprisingly comfy Probax seats. Our test car's Touring Pack also added luxuries such as leather trimmings, an iPod connector for the Alpine stereo and the weirdest looking cupholder ever seen.
What doesn’t it do well?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

Well you won't be entirely surprised to hear luggage space and other practicalities aren't great, although the boot is big enough for a weekend away. Access with the roof installed is tricky though, the wide sills making elegant entry and egress difficult for all but real contortionists. 'Characterful' structural creaks remind you of the minimalist build too.

Then there's the driving experience. The Elise encourages a motorbike mindset insomuch its abilities mean speed limits seem an irrelevance. If only... The intense information from the wheel also means you're incredibly sensitive to changes in grip over different surfaces. This isn't a car for bimbling, even if you wanted to.
What's it like to live with?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

Very intense, to put it simply. That's not to say the Elise is difficult to drive, because it isn't. It's just that it encourages you to drive very precisely. And fast. And if you're not in the mood for either of these attributes can be a little tiring.

The relative minimalism of the cockpit is rarely an issue though. Indeed, compared with the over complicated cabins of many cars it's a breath of fresh air and a lot more comfortable than it looks. Heavy low-speed steering and poor rear visibility mean it's not an ideal town car though. But then you wouldn't choose it for this anyway.
How green is it?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

Given that the minimal weight means all this performance comes from just a 1.8-litre engine, relatively speaking the Elise is pretty green. This less is more philosophy has always been a Lotus selling point of course, and it's one other manufacturers are going to have to take a good long look at.

This is still a car about performance rather than efficiency though. And driven enthusiastically - as it will be - fuel consumption will hover in the mid to low 20s without too much difficulty. Officially mpg rests at 33.2 combined, with CO2 of 202g/km, the minimal Lotus escaping the worst of the taxman's ire.
Would we buy one?
Lotus Elise SC (Image © Motoring Research)

You bet. Cars like the Elise are the antidote to the sterile majority of modern cars, with the kind if responses and thrills very few other drivers will experience. It's all done in the best possible taste though, without ever being intimidating or scary.

Assuming you can live with the very obvious practical sacrifices it's a surprisingly usable car too, and much more capable than its hardcore, minimalist image might suggest. This is very much a car you buy for the Sunday morning blast but the lightweight build and small capacity engine give it more everyday relevance than anything else offering this level of performance.