Lotus Elan SE/S2 Review

Launched in 1989, the Elan (known by many as the Elan M100 to avoid confusion with the Lotus Elan of the 1960s and 1970s) broke with Lotus tradition by having front wheel drive. This upset some self-styled purists, who took the view that a 'proper' sports car must have rear wheel drive. As it turned out, the Elan M100 was, and is, one of the finest handling road cars ever made.

The M100 Elan is powered by a 1.6 litre Isuzu engine. Of the 4800 or so made, all but about 140 have the turbocharged version of that engine, which gives the car very sweet and lively performance (0-60 in 6.7 and 137 mph). More power and hence performance is achievable by means of a few simple modifications. The engines are reliable and the Elan is the only Lotus model that you will often find for sale with six figure mileages.

The Elan has reasonable boot space - capable of accommodating a couple's luggage for a fortnight's holiday - and a spacious cabin. The cabin is snug but sufficiently commodious to accommodate those of us who are over 6 feet tall, and with a degree of comfort that many saloon cars would do well to match.

The Elan is not without its flaws. The roof tends to leak (though an excellent aftermarket hardtop is now available), the rear wishbones on early models are vulnerable to rust and the gearchange cables are known to give trouble. Like all cars, Elans give their best to owners who spend the time and money to maintain them - not that they are fearsomely expensive to run.

Although the last Elans were made a decade ago, they remain popular choices amongst those who appreciate a fine driving experience coupled with practicality. An Elan-owning community has built up at http://www.lotuselancentral.com a website which features lots of useful information and a very lively members' forum.

The Elan M100 is everything that a proper sports car should be. One contemporary review called it "the first front wheel drive supercar" and I reckon that's exactly what it is.