2008 Lotus Elise SC - An Engineering Marvel

In 1996, Lotus Cars released the long-awaited Elise. With a uniquely styled fiberglass body and lightweight aluminum shell, the company set the standard for low curb weights, and even lower production costs.

Twelve years later we await the arrival of the Elise SC, and all the high speed thrills we've come to expect from the Lotus name. While Lotus Cars will offer the standard naturally aspirated Elise, with the SC they also offer a 220 horsepower supercharged beast. With 0-60 times clocking in at 4.4 seconds, the new Elise continues to set a standard for contemporary sports cars.

As visceral as the driving an Elise is, perfect handling and intense acceleration aren't for everyone. If you're looking at Lotus cars and expecting a luxurious interior, you're in the wrong isle. While the leather seats and dashboard layout are comfortably snug for all but the tallest of us, the interior is nothing short of Spartan in nature. It's about as basic as it gets, no special trims, no neat carpets or anything that you would find in a BMW or Benz; it's a sports car by definition, and anything that could possibly slow it down has either been removed, or there is an option to remove it as well.

Though the interior is about as Plain Jane as it gets, the exterior is an entirely different story. Lots of air dams, a rear mounted engine, removable roof, and the flashiest standard paint jobs you'll ever find on a car. It looks stunning, nothing short of its Italian supercar rivals. Every car that is designed with performance in mind should look fast, and the Elise looks like ball lightning on wheels. Personally, it's the paint jobs that attract me to Lotus cars. With names likes Solar Yellow, Isotope Green, and Ice White you know that you're about to be treated to delicious eye candy, and the luster is nothing short of magnificent. Whether you choose a metallic coat, a 'Lifestyle' color, or one of the monotone exclusive colors, you'll be in love with it.

In summary, if you're looking for a luxurious car to cruise around town with the roof off in the summer months, this car may not be what you're looking for. If you're looking for an all around sports car with no expectations of creature features, to speed around town in the summer months, look no further than the Lotus Elise. No matter what engine, color, or style you opt for, you will absolutely love it. It's a car for the enthusiast in all of us, and it costs less than a Corvette.