Lotus Elise S Cup review by Henry Catchpole

Lotus Elise S Cup review by Henry Catchpole | evo DIARIES

Рет қаралды 117,367

9 жыл бұрын

evo's Henry Catchpole reviews the new Lotus Elise S Cup at Bedford Autodrome. With 217bhp and race car levels of downforce is this road going version of the S Cup R race car still a formidable package?

Пікірлер: 107

@199724 8 жыл бұрын

Most excellent car and affordable! Who could have thought these would coexist? Thank you Lotus for the gift that is my Elise. Best purchase in all my 37 years on this planet!

@lok481 5 жыл бұрын

Robbert Morgan me too, just 38 too! I have the Elise s Cup and when you get used to it it’s an extremely rapid and capable car.

@USS_Liberty 9 жыл бұрын

Excellent Kermit impression.

@EvanMoon 9 жыл бұрын

And just the right amount. Enough to show that he nailed it, but not so long that u get tired of it. Finesse, just like the Elise.

@Electrobilia 9 жыл бұрын

dan dickow Yes, agreed. It may have been an excellent Kermit impression, but our Henry is no muppet.

@skatureliya 9 жыл бұрын

Great review Henry... I've had a Elise Sport 135 (slightly modified) as my only car for the last 13 years.. Wonderful to drive and OK to live with... Even fun in heavy snow... Why drive something boring to work every day when you could run one of these relatively cheaply and always want to take the long fun way home ?!! ... And carries almost every thing I need.. Play in a band.. Carry my 40w Fender hotrod + 2 guitars .. Or 5-6 bags of shopping... Easy.

@PaddyMcQueen 6 жыл бұрын

respect sir !

@Havdkoereden Жыл бұрын

Respect. Who cares about creature comforts anyway. :D

@detective3728 9 жыл бұрын

When he is not making X-men films.

@amxkjsshshsh3497 7 жыл бұрын

dead😂

@Senna-xi1gr 3 жыл бұрын

😂👍

@stewartmurray4658 9 жыл бұрын

Lived with a s2 111s for 18 months as my only car. Yes a few compromises needed but easily done.

@1183newman 9 жыл бұрын

Stewart Murray been using mine for the past 5 years as a daily driver and its my only car. Not once has it let me down.

@Bergie_78 8 жыл бұрын

+Stewart Murray me too 6 years and still going!

@PaddyMcQueen 6 жыл бұрын

so much respect sir ! Keep it up !

@swansmeister 4 жыл бұрын

@@1183newman just bought an 111s with vvc rover engine and trans in exige trim 😁🤗

@BlatentlyFakeName 4 жыл бұрын

I've been living with a 2006 Elise S (Toyota engined) as my daily, now has about 80k miles on it. It's been fine tbh apart from a few minor issues. I don't think I'll ever sell it. Why buy something boring when I can have a Lotus.

@shadowhaunter 9 жыл бұрын

Keep up the good work Henry - I always enjoy watching your videos!!!

@HandsomeAlex25 9 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful car. Thanks for the great review!

@Mojo522 9 жыл бұрын

I can't wait for the day can afford a Lotus. I simply love Lotus.

@maxmanmanus 9 жыл бұрын

Same here :D

@kingofcars008 9 жыл бұрын

Joseph Gauthier Hell yeah man, I hope to have one as my mid life crisismobile

@Gasinduced 9 жыл бұрын

Joseph Gauthier If you're willing to go second hand they are quite reasonably priced but it would have to be a second car...a little while off for me too :(

@Te1ecastermaster 4 жыл бұрын

@@maxmanmanus do you have one yet?

@MrRacs1 9 жыл бұрын

Would absolutely love to own a lotus elise as a daily driver! Great review Henry, love the car :D

@c04427041 8 жыл бұрын

The Elise is a fantastic daily. I put 75000 miles on my 2005 111R between 2010 and 2014 and loved every single mile.

@EvanMoon 9 жыл бұрын

Great job with this solo filmed review. I enjoyed it.

@mercoid 8 жыл бұрын

if you live in a cold climate and have a metal shift knob, Plasti-Dip really helps. It also provides good grip, you have choice of colors and it peels right off when you want to remove it.

@yumpbalump 9 жыл бұрын

Another brilliantly understated review. Thanks.

@mugdays 9 жыл бұрын

Your Kermit is spot-on, mate!

@carstech2685 9 жыл бұрын

I love the lotus brand and whenever i drive their cars , I never want to get out . Which makes me sad that this awesome elise doesn't make it to the u.s .i would love to get this car

@aut0n3 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks Henry. This is how a proper car review should go. None of that gratuitous power sliding everywhere. Keep up the fantastic work.

@swansmeister Жыл бұрын

Omfg crybaby, just because you can't drive doesnt mean mean going sideways is negative.

@und13s 8 жыл бұрын

I tend to think Lotus got it very right first time with the Elise and Exige, both will be viewed as classic cars going into the future. Bang for buck, nothing comes close for driving fun in these. There are many modifications you can make also to take them to whatever level you want.

@capturedbytee 9 жыл бұрын

My kind of car. :D Happy driving.

@BarneyWobba 6 жыл бұрын

I agree, those gear knobs are BLOODY FREEZING in the morning on a cold day. I actually go Michael J with it until it warms up :)

@fastlife866 8 жыл бұрын

nice review, i like the seats

@Pandamasque 9 жыл бұрын

So how often do you shift with your knee? :)

@LostTraction 9 жыл бұрын

Very nice and special car !

@harryward18 9 жыл бұрын

Glad to see a (new) lotus!

@gt_grandtouring 9 жыл бұрын

love it!

@tvanb 9 жыл бұрын

you know you're tall when your knee is hitting the shifter

@capuchinseven 5 жыл бұрын

Had two VX220's as daily cars and they didn't let me down once. In fact I'm considering going back and getting a Elise 250 CUP and will run that as a daily.

@Thedmcke3 9 жыл бұрын

I'm sure the aero is functional, it does seem a little try-hard though. I'd much rather that engine with the standard shell. Just a little less "look at me!" Also, as someone who daily-drives a 96 MX5, can confirm that these types of cars can be run every day.

@lejink 9 жыл бұрын

Peopl3mova never sell the mx5....you wont forgive yourself

@AndyRRR0791 9 жыл бұрын

Dee Jay Unless you buy an Elise to replace it...

@mattsmith7123 9 жыл бұрын

How tall are you. I always loved lotus' but im 6'4" and I'm starting to think I can't fit in a lotus.

@93455Driver 9 жыл бұрын

Just looks like the gear change would be hampered by the lack of space?

@steveotolith 9 жыл бұрын

A good review, both in the sense of being done well and in the sense of being positive. I think the Elise reviews better when examined on its own merits - group tests against sportscars more biased towards being painless daily drivers tend to judge it on criteria it doesn't attempt to compete on. A lack of direct competitors meant that it was always thrown in with cars which had a different skill set. It was interesting to see a glut of more positive group test results when the 4C was thrown into the mix - there was usually still a Cayman or Boxster there, but it wasn't dictating the terms of the test so much. It would be interesting to throw it into a test with the 4C, Zenos E10, Ginetta G40R which, varying degrees of track bias apart, are closer in ethos.

@nerdglider 9 жыл бұрын

great little sports car

@Federstahl 9 жыл бұрын

Henry, may I ask how tall you are? It looks like your size is the absolute maximum for an Elise.

@overkonark 9 жыл бұрын

love wolverine reviews out of joke he do good ones

@srbmckenzie 9 жыл бұрын

Nice kermit impression! (Henry that is, not the car...)

@zakarioze 9 жыл бұрын

The Kermit bit was pure class

@grabmint 9 жыл бұрын

You are a fantastic presenter (one of my favourites) so a little advice. Get a Zoom H1 and a Lav Mic (cheap) and solve your sound problems. Or you can always do voice overs back in the studio & sound Pro.

@HTSPascal 9 жыл бұрын

I'm a fan of small cars. First of all, because they're light and can get through corners - a BMW M5/M6 is sensless imo... Currently i got a Honda CRX del Sol as daily and an S2000 for sundays. Too bad Lotus is so expensive... Like Porsche with theyr Cayman GT4 ... I'd like to test these cars one day... And I hope Subaru makes the BRZ STi a reality.

@zeshin4331 9 жыл бұрын

We need a redo of this review done entirely in the "Kermit the Frog" voice!

@allyc85 9 жыл бұрын

Want one!

@srbmckenzie 9 жыл бұрын

Oh and as for the car. I'd have one again in a heartbeat. Nothing comes close. Although I was one of those folks who did enjoy lifting off in an S1.... and god it miss it!

@RodimusPrime29 9 жыл бұрын

Looks like a really good track days racer... The ride must be on the rough side

@drew699 3 жыл бұрын

Lotus cars are always set up to soft on initial roll in, with progressive dampening the harder pushed.

@Sleepy.Time. 9 жыл бұрын

Mr Epic Sideburns guy :)

@shaunralko7705 9 жыл бұрын

Anyone else love how he doesn't fit in the car at all. Haha shifting is a job in that car

@Jorge-Tamacas 9 жыл бұрын

Nice car and Nice video, Henry. The color, mmm, not of my liking. Keep that good work you do at evo. Greetings!

@PradhumanRehal 9 жыл бұрын

EVO where are the reviews of Lamborghini aventador sv,Ferrari 488gtb,McLaren 675lt,McLaren p1gtr!!!!! I am waiting for them!!!!

@mojostevo 9 жыл бұрын

The top comes off....You just have to unbolt it :D

@gthausde 9 жыл бұрын

That you are trying to justify the elise as a daily driver says alot :D those are really the best cars which you know arent good for dailies but ure trying to justify them :D

@hyperlogos 9 жыл бұрын

ttcro22 Your partner needs to be into speed to have something like that as your only car. Luxobarge ftw, sports for the weekend.

@yumpbalump 9 жыл бұрын

ttcro22 One of the things I like about Catchpole is that he appreciates small sports cars, and is willing to trade off a bit of practicality for enjoyment.

@davidhalston1997 9 жыл бұрын

Shame this baby wont be available in the us. Would love to own another one

@jo23bulls 9 жыл бұрын

baby come back to the US!

@NoahBB 9 жыл бұрын

God I wish they could sell the new Elise in North America.

@ghibli608 9 жыл бұрын

Well, Mr. Catchpole, you must know of the situation when you see some with a jacket, or a pair of pants that's just tiny bit too short to too tight. You then think: He's wearing his little brother's pants... That's how you look like in an Elise. It's just a tad too small for you. Otherwise, very enjoyable report.

@BossHoggJDH 4 жыл бұрын

Green power

@Patrick94GSR 9 жыл бұрын

Using kilograms and miles per hour together seems really weird. :-P

@GranDaddo 9 жыл бұрын

Oh dear Lotus, you really need new model(s).

@user-pe7uf4om8r 3 жыл бұрын

진실의 선택에 기로에서는 최선의 선택이 답이다. 로봇이 할 수 있는 영역이 아니다. 👌🎅🤶🙏😎

@gweflj 9 жыл бұрын

Obscenely desirable.

@Ghostintheshell3551 9 жыл бұрын

its quick because it does not weigh anything

@drea177cha5er 9 жыл бұрын

hahaha kermit the frog cameo

@IntegraDIY 9 жыл бұрын

its crazy how people hate on hondas, but this lotus is small, bouncy, 4cyl super compact.. just like a modified honda yet people will drool over this and talk bad about other 4cyl cars

@RussellRobinson77 9 жыл бұрын

Integra DIY Call me when Honda decides to sell a lightweight supercharged mid-engined rear drive sports car.

@jimmypena2442 8 жыл бұрын

+Russell Robinson yup

@CaldeAilis 9 жыл бұрын

Nice car and nice review. But frankly speaking you are way too long for this car. You showed us how you get into the car but I'm curious how you get OUT of the car. How is it even possible?:)

@HenryCatchpole 9 жыл бұрын

Calde Ailis You sort of touch your knee to your chin, post an exploratory foot out of the door hope that cramp doesn't set in unexpectedly and then just follow the foot. I suspect there are less challenging yoga classes.

@suzyfey1999 9 жыл бұрын

Henry Catchpole Hilarious!

@WindmillStalker 9 жыл бұрын

Henry Catchpole How tall are you, Henry? I always liked the Elises a lot but with my 194 cm and a half I'm afraid Elises are never going to be for me.

@sanderstreefkerk5323 9 жыл бұрын

Henry Catchpole Read the review on the Evo website as well where it got the max. 5 stars. Which I don't really understand; and don't get me wrong I like Lotus's very much and yes they handle and steer probably superbly, but given all the compromises that come with an Elise; the cramped interior, engine lacking a bit in character (it's no Porsche boxer engine f.i.), it's not as stiff as some of the competition (Alfa 4C) it's general lack of practicality etc.

@HenryCatchpole 9 жыл бұрын

WindmillStalker I'm 194cm and a bit too, so give it a go. I'm long of leg which is an advantage as they bend in the middle.

@Chris.Davies 9 жыл бұрын

Henry, thanks for this. I had some actual laugh out loud moments seeing your gigantic body in that tiny little thing. The Elise is a very silly car indeed, which no one except a midget could love. It is supremely difficult to get in and out of, very uncomfortable if the driver is pressing on, and the passenger has nothing to hold on to - anywhere. The visibility from the car is shocking, and the sound is not exactly inspiring. Your shoulders are jammed against the passenger, and your hand hits their leg every time you change a gear, regardless of how hard the passenger tries to keep clear of the stick. The metal gear lever will remove all your skin during the summer (or at least it does in a country which has a proper summer), and do the same by freezing the skin off it in winter. So you can only drive it when it is spring or autumn. They leak water like a sieve, so you can't leave one outside in the rain, too. You be mad to buy this car, unless it is, perhaps, a 5th or 6th car. :P

@superjervis 9 жыл бұрын

Chris Davies well you don't race with a passenger in the car do you

@karlInSanDiego 9 жыл бұрын

Chris Davies I'm 6' and love our Elise. It's got plenty of room for my frame, but the rigid bucket seats aren't forgiving if you have big hips. Getting out with stuff in your hand is my only challenge when I drive it to the office, or pop out on my lunch break. I just put one leg out, place my stuff on the sill, raise my ass onto the sill, grab my stuff, and exit. With free hands, its both legs out and you let the thing give birth to you. It's fun unless you're a sourpuss. Never have a problem with knees in the way of my shifter, but the snug shoulders and being cozy is spot on. We daily drove ours for 3 years, and now I ride an ebike to work, so it's driven a little less, but not due to any fault of Penny. Ours is Isotope Green, which adds yellow and pearl to the kermit hue. I get photographed in it nearly every time I drive it, and as long as I flash a smile, people love it. It's fun telling punters who don't know what it is, that it's got a 10 gallon tank, a Celica motor, gets combined 30 mpg US. and cost us less than their Dads' Cadillac. (we bought it used) I'd love to consider a 4C, but damn it would have to be good to make me give up the Elise. It's like driving all the articles you ever read about sports cars, all in one thing you actually own. Magic!

@rezzidue1 9 жыл бұрын

It's an 'S' not a 'Z' EL-EE-SS

@drea177cha5er 9 жыл бұрын

that does not look like the right size car for henry though... not at all

@AleksandrHalas 9 жыл бұрын

Yet Lotus is not justified expensive in relation to the Japanese and German competitors ***** Henry Catchpole

@karlInSanDiego 9 жыл бұрын

Aleksandr Halas Japanese competitor? There is none. German competitor? Boxter is 900 lbs. heavier and a much different car. Alfa 4C is the only near competition to the Elise.

@AleksandrHalas 9 жыл бұрын

karlInSanDiego Maybe I will not argue, but I think that the closest competitor to the Elise BRZ GT-86 RX-8

@TomDeWeerdt1 9 жыл бұрын

Aleksandr Halas I think a Boxter/Cayman comes closer than a GT86 or a RX-8, just because the Porsches are mid-engined. I feel that something like an Ariel Atom, KTM X-bow or Caterham/Lotus/Whatever 7 comes much closer to the Elise, and that's because of their weight and usually the same type of engines (small 4 cyl engines).

@MyDiabolicoTwin 8 жыл бұрын

How tall are you? I mean your knees are all over the wheel and shifter, if you're below 7 feet that car is an expensive piece of shit you can't adjust the seat properly?