Richard Hammond and the Lotus Elise

In this clip, Richard Hammond takes to the road in a 'newly revised' Lotus Elise to assess its performance, practicality, and design. He then interviews David Minter (Project Engineer-Elise) regarding the vehicle and the changes underwent to improve its performance.

[@rockinginafreeworld3256]

He makes the Elise look big.

[@MH5tube]

And Hammond is the only man short enough to fit inside one...

[@sponge111111]

stooooooooooooopid

[@MrSlitskirts]

Hi, yes, just imagine Jeremy Clarkson trying to get in...and as I discovered at a Motor Show when I got in/sat in one, it's bloody hard to get out as it's so low. You need very good leg and abdominal muscles...

[@Rosley9111]

still enjoying it after 12 years of ownership . . . .

[@gordontheman6151]

What about 16 years?

[@imaweerascal]

@@gordontheman6151 Unfortunately Rosley is now to old to get out of the Lotus, so he's been stuck in there for about 9 months. He receives his meal through the window, and takes a dump into the ashtray. It's not ideal

[@The_Ballo]

@@imaweerascal At least he's having fun. Burial will need a backhoe, I'm afraid.

[@KretinoSantino]

What I love about this car most is that it saved Lotus as a brand, racing and engineering legend. Choice of reliable & revving engine from Japan was awesome. Lotus is small manufacturer and they would never make such reliable engine.

[@stephengarside827]

+El Shuwix I'm afraid the model featured above does not have a Japanese engine. It's got a Rover engine, made in England. Models built much later used Toyota engines.

[@KretinoSantino]

+Stephen Garside Damn, time pass so fast, one can really get lost relying on old memories. I should go pick a tombstone :)

[@04dram04]

This is my favorite generation

[@TenaciousTentacruel]

There's a phenomanal door hinge, in the Lotus painted in orange.

[@lain_1262]

the jazz music goes crazy

[@sightscreen66]

This is the last new car that I ached to buy and I did buy one, still have it and won't sell it until I'm about to kick the bucket (and probably not even then). Since then, of course, the marketing people have consolidated their hegemony and all Lotus cars now have to be blinged up and stacked with unnecessary extras which, to me at least, is an anathema. So far my little 111S has proved fairly easy to maintain - basically you just have to have an iota of mechanical sympathy to keep these sweet - so hopefully it'll outlast me.

[@aes53]

I completely agree. I got an Elise about three months ago and just love it. It's the purist car I've had.......since I got rid of my Super 7 in 1978:-)

[@princesssolace4337]

Some say the Chinese are aiming to get it, they got the first hurdle, PROTON at 49%...won't be long.

[@ilmiwanalimin760]

They own it from buying proton

[@HarveyJohnWillmott]

Is that a 111S?

[@klanny22]

I imagine this video might get a couple more views since drivetribe

[@blarkdexture8899]

Hammond age 25 Clothes age 85...

[@harrypsaunders]

I thought he was going to crash it at 1:31

[@9hundred67]

so serious

[@charliewolf7500]

1999 111S. Almost qualifies as a Historic/ Clasic car, with the cheaper insurance and registration that go along with that.. Unfortunately, you need to be a smurf to fit inside it.

[@steveluck9541]

As long as your'e not too fat you'll get in. The more smurf shape you are the harder it is to get in as you need to be able to double up at the waste to get in. Once in no problem. Loving the fact that examples like mine are now selling for the price i bought it for in about 2002.

[@anthonyboyne2386]

Rover K series engine !

[@toadinthehole8085]

Taking the poss stealing james mays sports jacket 🤔

[@swansmeister]

Omfg his clothes, what a nerd he is.