First, make an appointment with your chiropractor. Second, sign up with your local gym for at least a six-month membership. Lastly, start that new year resolution diet you have been ignoring immediately. Then, and only then, can you visit Norm Baker Motor Company and experience the 2007 Lotus Elise.

“It’s a street legal go-cart,” explains General Manager Tim Donnelly. Indeed it is. The Elise is only a tad over 12 feet long
and stands a mere 44 inches tall. Entry requires quite a bit of maneuvering. A high and wide doorsill, and tight seating quarters await, but when negotiated, it locks and loads you in the cockpit. Turn the key and the fun begins.

Lotus was founded in 1948 by automobile enthusiast Anthony Colin Chapman as a specialty company dedicated to high performance cars earmarked by innovative design and lightweight construction. Lotus Cars Ltd. was formed in 1955, and within two years the Lotus Elite was introduced. With the use of fiberglass, the cars’ lightweight status earned the Elite a reputation in the world’s racing ranks with success at Le Mans and other races around the globe.

The Lotus Elan was unveiled in the 1960s; and with the Elan Plus 2 in 1967, Lotus’s first family car was born. James Bond helped promote world recognition of the Lotus Esprit when it made appearances in the popular spy movies. Another auto with Lotus roots, the DeLorean DMC12, was featured in the “Back to the Future” movies. My favorite was the quirkily-designed Lotus Europa, with the weird hindquarters.

Lotus was also influential in the Formula 1 world. Its Type 72 became the most successful Formula 1 racecar ever raced. In fact, nearly every formula car today uses design principles originally introduced in the Lotus 72.

Somewhat stagnant during the ’70s due to the fuel crisis, Lotus was sold to General Motors in 1986 and Lotus Cars USA was formed. Bugatti bought the brand in 1993 and quickly sold it to a Malaysian firm in 1996. It was in 1996 that the Elise was debuted and swiftly became the company’s main product and financial fix. It was imported into the United States in 2004.

I folded myself into the cockpit. Being 6’2” and a bit over 210, I actually had to think about the best way to enter. “Put your butt in first and then the legs,” suggested Tim. Securing the seatbelt you notice the tight cabin. I had to tilt my head forward to see out of the windshield, it being low and sleek.

The interior is stark, somewhat akin to peering into a Nascar racecar, with little amenities, and lots of aluminum showing. This Elise did have air conditioning, an upgraded Alpine stereo/CD player, i-Pod adaptor, leather seats and door panel, and an extruded aluminum cup holder. I had to adjust the side mirrors by hand.

“This car weighs less then 2,000 pounds, uses a Lotus modified Toyota engine, and is very comfortable cruising at 6000 rpm,”
says Tim. I accelerate and shift into second gear, noticing I’m already at the speed limit and not close to 6,000 rpms. Even though the car does not have power steering, saving weight mind you, the Elise is so light that you don’t even notice it. The ride is surprising, smooth and comfortable for a car that has the reputation of superior handling. Body roll is zero, road hugging exceptional, and the slightest tweak of the steering will send you in that direction. The cockpit is small, and if you tend toward claustrophobia it may be a little confining.

Heading down Rainbow Boulevard, Tim apologizes. “If it wasn’t raining today I’d have you make this next right-hand turn at 45 mph.” I counter, “Will the car handle that?” “Easily, easily,” replies Tim. The car is a kick to drive. It reminded me of the Mario Andretti Driving Experience out at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a little scary, but a lot of fun throwing this car around.

The Elise is definitely a second or third car. Tim mentions that most buyers bring this car to the track to race it. “In fact, there’s a Lotus Performance Driving School located at Club Spring Mountain out in Pahrump.” The one- and two-day programs feature braking exercises, shifting exercises, oval exercises, and track sessions with two-way radios linked to instructors featuring Lead/Follow racing, discovering the “racing line,” Heel/Toe instructions, and followed by a debriefing of your session.

Revving back to the dealership, I head to the nearest parking spot. “You know the other great thing about this car?” asks Tim. “People think it costs a lot more then it does.” He’s right. The Elise starts under $50,000 and the version I drove today prices out at a bit over $52,000. The best description I’ve heard of the Elise is one offered by Edmunds Auto, the Elise is an auto with “an ultra lightweight chassis, uninhibited steering, supercar performance, without the supercar price, whose low volume ensures rarity.”

“The one thing that customers dislike about the Elise is getting in and out of it,” says Tim. I’m contemplating the use of a chiropractor and starting that diet ASAP. Sure would make it easier to use the vehicle. The gym, that’s to keep your heart rate in check when you’re driving the Elise.
QUICKFACTS
Engine: 1.8 liter, mid-mounted 4-cyclinder, DOHC Fuel injected
Horsepower: 190@ 7800rpm
Torque: 134 lb ft @ 6800 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed close ratio w/ single-plate dry clutch
Brakes: 4-wheel ventilated/cross drilled disc brakes
Tires/Wheels: Front 5.5j x 16 175/55R 16 Rear: 7.5j x 17 224/45R 17
Performance: 0-60 4.9 sec  /  0- 100 12.9 sec
Top Speed: 150 mph
Fuel Consumption: 24 City/29 Highway
Curb Weight: 1984 lbs

WHERE TO GET ONE:
Norm Baker Motor Company
6175 W. Sahara Avenue
702-385-5511

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