Lotus Elise 1.6 Review: More or Less, The Same

What we like:

Still the same sublime handling and grin-inducing drive despite a smaller engine

What we dislike:

Having to get out of the car - for more reasons than one

The downsizing exercize was meant solely to meet stricter European emission standards, and nothing else. Of course, the PR folks would like you to believe that you are doing more to save the earth. But who are we kidding, really?

Strangely enough, the new 1.6-litre lump makes some financial sense in our context - well, sort of anyway.

Apart from being actually street legal, downsizing the engine also makes sense in its homeland where cars get taxed based on their carbon emissions. Back here, with a $11,000 difference between Category A and B Certificate of Entitlement at press time, the 200cc downsize may seem somewhat attractive. Don't get me wrong, it still wouldn't make the car more accessible or appealing to the masses, but the money could well go towards a Stage 1 exhaust and carbon fibre scuff plates for the door sills.

While the 1.6-litre didn't bring more performance to the table, it hasn't taken away much either. It would be a lie to say that it's exactly the same as the model it replaces. But for what the car represents, the smaller engine doesn't quite rob it of much pleasures.

Well, if you simply need an excuse to justify buying one, you could always pull out the "green card".

Credits: Story by John Toh Photos by Yang