Price: From $84,990 plus on-road and dealer costs.
Vitals: 1.8-litre four cylinder supercharged, 162kW/250Nm, six-speed manual, 7.5L/100km, RWD.
What is it?
The lightest and most powerful version of the sharply-focused Elise; a car that even in its most basic form is as minimalist as you can get and aimed squarely at driving enthusiasts.
What it isn't
With only the basic amenities, it is hardly luxurious. And the tight confines of its two-seater cockpit means it isn't all that spacious either.
What does it say about me?
That you're a pure driving enthusiast – and probably on the way to the circuit for a track day. Or a complete masochist.
What doesn't it say about me?
That you're not a chiropractor, and probably drive something more comfortable every other day of the week.
Who else is buying it?
Cashed-up boy racers that participate in amateur motorsport.
What colours does it come in?
There are six bold choices in the colour palette, including Carbon Grey, Aspen White and Chrome Orange with three hues that are exclusive to the Club Racer – Daytona Blue, Formula Red and Toxic Green. All Club Racer models come fitted with satin black alloy wheels and matching exterior highlights with body-coloured seat backs and centre console in the cabin.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
Nuggety British pop singer Robbie Williams; not without flaws and starting to show his age, but still punches above his weight and commands a loyal following.
Why would I buy it?
Because it epitomises Lotus' long-held lightweight philosophy, and is one of the rawest, most visceral and rewarding cars to drive at the limit.
Best bits?
The way it challenges and thrills the driver around a racetrack with masses of cornering grip from its semi-slick Yokohama tyres and direct response from its (non-assisted) steering.
Worst bits?
Getting in and out of it; with the fabric roof in place you need to be a bit of contortionist to slide into its hard-shell bucket seats and even more flexible to extract yourself.
Will it let me down?
Considering it's essentially a hand-built Sunday play thing, it doesn't have the quality of a mainstream machine. But the Elise has been around for almost 20 years now, so you'd figure Lotus has ironed out any bugs in its construction. It's also got a Toyota-sourced engine in the back, which may offer some peace of mind.
Does it cost too much?
At almost $85k, it is an extravagant toy. But there is only one other car with a similar hard-core character, the Alfa Romeo 4C, which costs an extra $5k.
Will I get a deal?
Lotus doesn't sell too many cars each year in Australia, and the recent arrival of the 4C puts some pressure on the British brand that it hasn't had before. So, there's probably a bit of wriggle room when negotiating at the dealership.
Will it get me noticed?
Yes…and No. Yes, because you couldn't miss our test car in its hi-viz Chrome Orange paintwork. But it's also easy for the diminutive Elise to get swallowed up in the sea of SUVs on city streets.
Does it go?
With its 1.8-litre supercharged four-cylinder upgraded to produce 162kW and a weight reduction program that sees it shed 19kg over the standard Elise S, the Club Racer has an impressive power-to-weight ratio that results in an ability to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. It doesn't throw you head back like a genuine supercar, but is still pretty rapid when its kept on the boil.
Does it like corners?
If anything, that's what it is built for. The stiff suspension, lightweight aluminium tub and sticky Yokohama tyres make it come alive through the bends. The short wheelbase and directness of the steering can make it a little fidgety and unforgiving at the limit, but ultimately hugely rewarding if you get it right.
What about bumps?
Like the princess and the pea, you'll feel every single one of them. The Club Racer is uncompromising in its character and jiggles and jolts over bumps and wanders over camber changes.
How's the stereo system?
Like the rest of the package, it is the absolute basics with an aftermarket head unit that features a USB input but no Bluetooth connectivity and four speakers. It does the job, but the entertainment comes from the driving experience.
What about service stations?
Even though it weighs under one tonne and has a small capacity four cylinder, it's 7.5L/100km claim is pretty average when you consider a Porsche Cayman S – with more power from an engine almost twice the size – has an average consumption figure of just 8.2L/100km.
Would you buy one?
If I had a garage that already satisfied my weekly and family duties – plus a few other toys – then I'd certainly consider the Club Racer to fill a role as a track day
What else should I consider?
The Alfa Romeo 4C is the only other mid-engined baby sportscar under $100k, but it's not that far to stretch to a base Porsche Boxster or its hard-roofed Cayman twin.
The spin
The Elise S Club Racer epitomises Lotus' ethos of performance through lightweight…
The translation
Less is more with the Club Racer
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