Semi-autonomous driving systems, such as lane-keep assist, rely on clear white lines to work effectively. Which is one of the reasons why Highways England is investing £685,000 in the problem of ‘ghost’ markings.
When white road markings are removed – for example, when road layouts change – the original lines can often be seen as faint or ‘ghost’ marks.
This has the potential to confuse drivers, with the problem worse in bright sunshine. Furthermore, semi- and fully-autonomous cars will require clear and obvious road markings to operate safely and effectively.
We ain’t afraid of no ‘ghost’ marks
Highways England has been testing 36 different products from around the world at a testing centre in Madrid, with road markings subjected to around two million ‘wheel overs’.
Now, the eight winners of the competition are seeing their materials put to the test on the M5 motorway in the South West. The aim: to find the most effective road markings that will also reduce damage to the surface when the lines are removed.
The materials will be tested in all weathers on the M5 for a period of 12 months, with the winning product highlighted in research and shared around the world.
Martin Bolt, who is overseeing the competition for Highways England, said: “We know ‘ghost’ markings on any roads, not just ours, can be confusing for drivers and autonomous vehicles so we set out to find a solution which makes a real difference not just for road users on our network but across the globe.
“There is a worldwide problem with road marking removal and it is the first time the industry has been challenged like this.
“We’re hoping the outcome of the competition will give us a greater understanding of the materials and processes we, and the road industry, should be using in future schemes, and will help drivers on their journeys.”
These white lines go a long way
Highways England is working alongside Roadcare and Kier as part of a £150 million fund for innovation projects, with the trio of organisations also testing five white line removal systems.
Scott Cooper, managing director of strategic highways at Kier, commented: “By working collaboratively with our client and supply chain partners such as WJ, Wilson and Scott and Roadcare we have been able to continue to develop and deliver new ideas, products and processes.
“These will help deliver safer roads as scarring and ghosting will disappear. The customer experience through roadworks will improve as a result of clearer markings and finished schemes will have a much cleaner appearance.”
A collection of five custom-built Jeeps are up for grabs on auction website Bring a Trailer this week, with all of them selling for a good cause.
The Jeeps are the product of the High School Vehicle Build Program, created by SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) and run with support from leading aftermarket companies.
A new Jeep will go live for auction on Bring a Trailer each day, with a special bonus on offer to the successful bidders.
Not another high school project
Five high school auto shops from across the United States have taken part in 2019, each using a Jeep Wrangler TJ as their base for aftermarket accessories.
Working alongside auto shop instructors, and experts from aftermarket companies, the students have been taught how to get the best from the parts donated to them.
The end result is a series of five modified Jeeps, all fitted with an impressive array of accessories, but reflecting the individual style of each high school.
First up on Bring a Trailer is the 2005 Wrangler built by the Early College Opportunities High School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With over $19,000 worth of equipment added, it certainly makes for an impressive Jeep.
The 2004 TJ, crafted by the students of Cornstock High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan goes next. Between 90 and 100 students at the school participate in auto shop classes.
Later this week will see Jeeps from C.D Hylton High School in Virginia, R.L. Turner High School in Texas, and California’s Santa Ynez Valley Union High School also go up for sale.
The kids really are alright
The program has been created by SEMA to encourage high school students to consider careers in the aftermarket industry. SEMA also wants to make the program sustainable for more years to come.
Last year, a high school-built 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited sold for $56,000, allowing the five builds to happen this year.
Proceeds from the sale of these 2019 vehicles will be put back into high school auto shops, allowing more vehicles to be built as the program expands.
To give buyers piece of mind, all the Jeeps to be sold have been subjected to safety checks and scrutiny by an independent third party. Brake fluid and oil changes have also been carried out where needed, along with other maintenance work.
Winning bidders also get something else, in addition to an impressive Jeep and knowledge their money is being used for good. The five buyers will be invited to attend the prestigious 2019 SEMA Show, seeing their Jeep celebrated alongside the best creations from the aftermarket industry.
For those who don’t necessarily want to purchase a new Jeep, or miss out on the bidding, there are other ways to support the SEMA Education work through charitable donations.
Bring a Trailer is also donating the buyer’s fee from the sales on their website to the SEMA fund.
Car insurance for drivers aged 17 doesn’t come cheap, with some young motorists paying well into four figures for their annual premium. Things get easier with a no-claims bonus under your belt, but opting for a car with a low insurance group rating is a good idea for the first couple of years. Thanks to Admiral, we’ve listed the 10 cheapest cars for 17 year olds to insure.
10. Fiat 500 – £883.22
The data is based on car models with 50 or more policies on Admiral’s system, with the premiums sourced from policyholders between January and March 2019. Spoiler alert: the Fiat 500 is arguably the most desirable car on the list and proof that opting for cheap insurance needn’t cramp your style.
According to Admiral, a Fiat 500 will cost around £883.22 a year to insure, but a number of factors could result in a lower or higher premium. Fitting a black box should reduce the cost, with insurance companies willing to reward safe drivers.
9. Toyota Aygo – £869.89
Researching a car’s insurance group rating before searching for a car could help you to narrow the search to a few makes and models. For example, while the current Toyota Aygo falls into groups 5 to 9, the majority of the older cars slot into groups 2 and 3.
To keep insurance costs in check, young drivers should shun the 1.4-litre engine in favour of the frugal 1.0-litre unit. Used prices start from around £1,000, which is only slightly more than the cost of the insurance.
8. Ford Ka – £859.90
We’re big fans of the original Ford Ka, but with insurance groups ranging from 10 for the 1.3-litre Collection to 16 for the SportKa junior hot hatch, it’s not the best choice for young drivers. Instead, it makes sense to opt for the newer model.
Sharing its platform with the Fiat 500 – and built alongside the Italian car in Poland – the second-generation Ford Ka was offered with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.3-litre diesel. Insurance groups range from 2 to 5.
7. Kia Picanto – £855.86
If your parents are funding the purchase of your first car, the Kia Picanto is likely to be on their shortlist. What it lacks in style it makes up for in terms of reliability, dependability and the kind of things that are about as exciting as an evening in with a copy of the Radio Times.
The first-generation Kia Picanto is the cheapest to buy, but the second-generation is the one you want if you don’t want to spend your entire student loan on car insurance. The 1.0-litre versions slot into a group 2 insurance rating, with Admiral’s youngest policyholders paying around £855 a year.
6. Hyundai i10 – £837.08
The Hyundai i10 might have as much street cred as beige slacks and socks with sandals, but breaking down on the way to a festival won’t impress your BFFL. If you like driving a car that works, the i10 is a fine choice.
Pick of the bunch is the 1.0-litre Blue Drive Premium, which is loaded with toys and yet falls into insurance group one. Furthermore, it comes with a five year warranty, so it’ll see you through uni and beyond.
5. Volkswagen Up – £832.73
The Volkswagen Up is the little black dress of the automotive world. Stylish, timeless and great for any occasion. The Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii might be cheaper to buy, but both are absent from Admiral’s list, while the Up should hold on to its value better than its value-led siblings.
Some Up models slot into insurance group 1, while many others are in 2 or 3. Just avoid the Up GTI, which falls into group 17, making it off limits to all but the most affluent of 17 year olds.
4. Peugeot 107 – £815.96
All but a couple of Peugeot 107 models fall into insurance group 3, making it an attractive proposition for young drivers. Parts are plentiful, there’s a dealer in the majority of towns and cities, and prices start at £800.
“As city cars go, the 107 is pretty much the perfect package.” Not our words, Carol, but the words of Honest John.
3. Citroen C1 – £809.21
But not as perfect as the Citroen C1, which is near enough identical to the Peugeot 107, but £6.75 cheaper to insure. This is enough for a grilled chicken burger at Nando’s. Living the dream.
Young drivers should opt for the 1.0-litre Vibe or Airplay models for maximum insurance pleasure, with both slotting into group 1. Interestingly, the current C1 is more expensive to insure, falling into groups 6 to 13.
2. Nissan Micra – £808.10
The Nissan Micra has been part of the UK furniture since the launch of the K10 in the early 80s, but the more recent models are the best for low insurance. Some trim levels even fall into the lowest group.
The flipside is that you’ll need to spend more on the purchase of a new Micra, which is why the K13, introduced in 2010, might be a better option. Some models slot into insurance group 5.
1. Volkswagen Fox – £792.61
According to Admiral, the Volkswagen Fox is the cheapest car to insure for young drivers. The Brazilian-built Fox lacks the polish of the Volkswagen Up, but it’s cheap to buy, cheap to run and, on this evidence, cheap to insure.
The 1.2-litre versions fall into insurance group 1, while the 1.4-litre versions are in group 3. Used prices start from around £800, which is about the same as an annual premium.
A survey of 2,000 drivers by InsureTheGap reveals what we want when it comes to buying an electric car.
So, what exactly are we most concerned about for the switch from internal combustion to electric power?
EV charging infrastructure
The biggest pull for electric cars would be an infrastructure that can handle charging them.
Topping the list, 46 percent said they want the ability to charge quickly at home, without adding too much to their electricity bill.
Below that in second place, 43 percent said a robust, national infrastructure of chargers would make EVs considerably more appealing.
Range and trust in the tech
In third position, with 38 percent saying it was important, was driving range. We want our electric cars to offer at least 100 real-world miles before they need to fill up.
Trust in the technology is fifth, with 33 percent saying they want to understand what they’re buying, including reassurances of reliability and longevity.
Saving money and benefits
Perhaps predictably, what would make an electric car more appealing is saving money. So this comes fourth, with 38 percent saying it would boost the appeal of electric cars.
At present, electric cars cost an average of 20 percent more to buy than conventional rivals.
In sixth, 33 percent that said grants were key, while 28 percent (seventh) suggested that there should be tax breaks for EV drivers.
In eighth, 23 percent that said they want reassurance the government will not be make electric vehicles more expensive in future.
Interestingly, 10 percent of drivers also said they’d be interested in electric cars if they got access to priority lanes in congested areas.
Only 16 percent (ninth) said they’d be keen to know they were helping the environment. There are doubts, of course, given the unknown quantities around electricity and battery production.
“As UK ownership of electric cars grows it’s interesting to see what is holding people back from embracing this new, cleaner technology,” said Ben Wooltorton of InsuretheGap.com
“This survey shows that clearly there’s still a lot of hesitation when it comes to buying an electric car and until car manufacturers can improve their driving range, the national charging infrastructure is in place, and people feel they can trust the technology, the sector will remain a slow burner.
“It still only represents about six percent of the latest 2019 registrations.”
MG has revealed what it calls ‘the first truly affordable family-friendly electric car’: an electric version of the ZS crossover.
Deliveries of the ZS EV start in September 2019. It costs from just £21,495 after the government grant of £3,500, plus MG’s own £3,500 contribution. That last bit won’t last forever, though…
The need-to-know numbers
So, what are the important numbers? WLTP-certified range is 163 miles, while ‘frequent rapid-charging capability’ means you should be able to fill the batteries in less than an hour.
With ‘frequent rapid-charging capability’ in mind, it’s also worth noting that the ZS EV gets MG’s seven-year warranty, battery and all.
Power is around 140hp from a front-mounted electric motor, with charge stored in a water-cooled 44.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The ZS EV has three driving modes, with three levels of regenerative braking.
£21,495… for the first 1,000 orders
MG is matching the government’s £3,500 grant for the first 1,000 cars, meaning the standard ‘Excite’ ZS EV starts from £28,495, before £7,000 is lopped off by both government and manufacturer contributions – leaving a price tag of £21,495.
The base car is also available for £279 a month on PCP, for now. The Exclusive version is effectively reduced from £30,495 to £23,495.
If you’re number 1,001 on the pre-order list, however, you’ll be paying £24,995, or £3,500 more than the first 1,000 owners.
Reserve a ZS EV for £500
For the first 1,000 £500 reservations, MG will also throw in a home charging point, with installation costs included.
You can join that first 1,000 now by visiting MG’s EV website.
MG is adamant this is a series production car, too. No limitations on production or allocations are expected –unlike the Volkswagen e-Golf, for instance.
‘ZS EV is here to revolutionise the way people think about electric cars. With the first truly affordable, family-friendly electric car, MG is bringing zero-emissions motoring within everyone’s reach,’ says the Chinese-owned company.
‘Make no mistake, this car isn’t a brand statement or a vanity project, we’re here to sell electric cars and to sell big!’
A crossover like any other
Other than its EV powertrain, the ZS remains a conventional family crossover. Standard equipment levels are generous, with adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming as standard.
It also remains practical, with MG claiming it ‘can handle bikes, pushchairs, luggage and bulky loads with no trouble at all’.
You can have your ZS EV in a range of four colours, combined with new range-maximising 17-inch alloy wheels.
Parents are driving approximately 1,648 additional miles a year ferrying their children around. That’s according to a study conducted by Skoda.
Mums and dads in Northern Ireland appear to be the hardest working parents, racking up a total of 2,142 miles a year. That’s an average of 41.19 miles a week.
Dropping the children off to see friends is the most common reason for travel (42 percent), followed by birthday parties (40 percent), sporting activities (36 percent) and swimming (34 percent).
Six percent of the 1,723 parents surveyed said they provided a lift for their children for no particular reason.
Nearly half of the respondents admitted to using the time in the car to catch up with their children, while 44 percent are pleased to do the extra miles as it means their kids are out doing things.
Mum and dad taxi
Skoda reckons this ‘unpaid taxi service’ is an excuse to encourage the kids to do a little extra work around the house, which is why it has launched the ‘Parent Taxi’ app.
The smartphone app works like a real taxi meter, allowing parents to exchange miles for chores, such as cleaning the car, feeding the dog, tidying the bedroom or doing the washing up.
The app tracks the car journey via GPS, with parents able to set how many miles equate to a single chore.
You know, like one mile for washing up. Two miles for drying up. Three for feeding the cat. Four for repointing the chimney. Five for grouting the bathroom. Six for laying a new patio. That kind of thing.
The driver can share the journey details to their offspring’s smartphone, with the option to share the details on social media. Because the world needs more needless info on its social channels.
Does the app seem a little harsh? After all, parents should be responsible for their children, and driving them to and from sporting activities is part of their parental duties.
What’s next, an app that calculates how much time a parent spends watching their child from the sidelines on a Saturday morning? An app for time spent changing a nappy?
As for the chores, unplugging the wi-fi router normally gets things done…
‘The app I’ve been waiting for’
A delighted mummy blogger, Jo Middleton, said: “This is the app I’ve been waiting for!
“It’s true that kids generally have a better social life than adults and as result that can mean a lot of car journeys each week.
“Although I love encouraging them to get out and do more, I think it’s a great idea to swap miles for some help around the house in return.”
Average additional miles driven by parents in a year
Ian Callum CBE, design chief of Jaguar for the past two decades, has announced his latest venture: Callum, a new design and engineering business based in Warwick.
The news follows Callum’s recent retirement from Jaguar, and is the next stage in a storied career that already includes prominent roles at Ford, TWR and Aston Martin.
The Callum business will focus on bespoke and limited edition products, but will not be limited to automotive. It will also encompass the broader design, lifestyle and travel sectors.
Founding members include Callum himself as design director, plus former Jaguar colleagues David Fairbairn as programme director, Adam Donafrancesco as engineering director, and Tom Bird as commercial director.
The full launch team comprises 18 people whose experience includes art, audio, automotive, fashion, lifestyle and motorsport.
“I wanted to get back to the essence of creativity,” said Callum: “the challenge of producing something wonderful and personal.
“To design the alternative has always been my mantra, but always the beautiful alternative and something to enjoy.
“In today’s modern world, collaboration is the catalyst for new ideas, and this is our ethos and inspiration, both within our team and as we look to work with partners in the future.”
The new business, he added, will focus on “journeys to destinations, and all that encompasses”.
Based in a new 20,000 square-foot base in Warwick, the new Callum business is already equipped with high-end design, engineering and manufacturing facilities. The aim is to both design and build projects in-house.
“We love what we do,” said Fairbairn, “and we have the passion, collective experience and know-how to create some very special, diverse products across design, lifestyle and travel.”
News of the first Callum project will be announced in the next few weeks.
As the drapes drop to reveal the Lotus Evija, a frisson of excitement ripples around the room. Yes, it looks fantastic, yet this is also a decisive moment for Lotus. After 71 years, this British marque, now backed by Chinese money, is poised to become a world player.
The Evija (say it ‘Ev-eye-ya’) is the opening salvo in that reinvention, one that will see Lotus manufacturing cars in China and setting its sights beyond sports cars at saloons, SUVs and more. “In order to make waves, you need to make a splash,” says Lotus CEO Phil Popham. The 2,000hp Evija – the most powerful production car ever – feels like a tsunami.
That power figure outguns even the rival 1,903hp Pininfarina Battista – and the Lotus will be rarer, too. Just 130 examples will be made (hence the car’s ‘Type 130’ codename, priced at around £2 million each.
Beating the Battista
The Evija’s mid-mounted 2,000kW lithium-ion battery was developed with Williams Advanced Engineering and is described as ‘the lightest, most energy dense electric power package ever fitted to a road car’. Lotus is being coy about performance figures, but with just 1,680kg to shift and an almighty 1,254lb ft (1,700Nm) of torque delivered to all four wheels from a standstill, acceleration will be savage.
All we know at present is it will hit 62mph (100kph) in ‘less than three seconds’ and exceed 200mph.
So, here’s the new 2000hp, £2 million Lotus Evija – the most powerful production car ever.
Rear ‘three-quarter venturis’ are its most distinctive feature – ringed by red LEDs like afterburners. pic.twitter.com/fiLJMjCD8Z
There are five driving modes: Range, City, Tour, Sport and Track. In Track mode, torque vectoring constantly adjusts output to individual wheels to boost cornering ability. Lotus also talks of ‘alternative battery packs… to optimise track performance’. Just in case your standard Evija feels a tad tardy.
It’s not all future tech, though. Lotus has opted for hydraulic power steering – rather than an electric set-up – for ‘pure steering feel’. “Everything we do is centred on driving enjoyment,” explains Popham. “More than any other brand, that’s what Lotus is about.”
Downforce by design
If the stats are startling, the Evija’s design is an equal source of excitement. It’s aggressive without being showy, functional yet still beautiful.
Carbon fibre bodywork surrounds a monocoque tub weighing just 129kg. Designer Russell Carr talks of how the shape was “carved by air”, taking inspiration from Le Mans racers and fighter aircraft.
By far the Evija’s most distinctive feature are the venturi ducts that pierce its haunches, funnelling air through the car to help deliver ‘exceptional amounts of downforce’. Surrounded by red LEDs at the rear, they deliberately resemble jet afterburners.
Other aero appendages include the bi-plane front splitter, which provides cool air to the battery, and the pop-out rear-view mirror cameras. These evoke Lotus pop-up headlights of the past, reckons Carr.
Focus and feedback
The interior of the Evija is functional and focused on the driver. Access is via dramatic, upwards-opening dihedral doors activated by the key fob (there are no handles). Once inside, a switch in the roof console – a nod to the classic Esprit Turbo – closes them.
Hard-shell carbon fibre seats are upholstered with strategically-placed Alcantara pads, with four-point harness seatbelts an option. The rectangular steering wheel is a clear link with Lotus’ F1 heritage, including a Ferrari-style ‘manettino’ to switch between drive modes.
Up front, a compact digital display helps minimise driver distraction, while the jutting centre console features touch-sensitive haptic switches and a rotary controller for infotainment (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity). “The driver is in sync with the car at all times and almost feels as if they are wearing it,” explains Carr.
Gunning for greatness
Assuming you drive with a modicum of restraint, the Evija can travel 250 miles (400km) on a full battery. Using a 350kW charger – the most powerful currently available – charge time will be 18 minutes to 100 percent capacity. It will offer Tesla-style over-the-air software updates and a dedicated smartphone app.
Customers will also be able to specify the car to their exact requirements. Want gold badges or a family crest embossed on the seats? If you really must, Lotus can oblige.
Lotus’ parent company Geely has already overseen the rebirth of Volvo and successful launch of Polestar, an upmarket EV brand that offers tempting opportunities for tech-sharing. Who’d bet against it giving Lotus a new lease of life? The Hethel-based company – which built just 1,700 cars last year – seems suddenly on the cusp of greatness.
“The Evija is a car like no other. It will re-establish our brand in the hearts and minds of sports car fans and on the global automotive stage,” said CEO Popham. “We hope this is our Sergeant Pepper moment.”
Lotus Evija: specification
Powertrain: All-electric, four-wheel drive Power: 2,000hp Torque: 1,254lb ft (1,700Nm) 0-62 mph: Less than 3.0 seconds Top speed: More than 200mph Range: 250 miles (400km) Charging time: 18 minutes (350kW charger) Weight: 1,680 kg Production run: 130 cars Length/width/height: 4,459/2,000/1,122 mm Price: Approx. £2 million On sale: 2020
Lotus will shortly end production of its three current sports cars, the Elise, Exige and Evora, ahead of introducing an all-new model in 2022. It marks the end of an era for the Norfolk-based brand, and the start of an exciting new chapter under Geely ownership. We’ll get to the Elise and Exige Final Editions – and indeed the incredible 2,000hp Evija hypercar – in due course. But first let’s rewind 52 years to the first great Lotus road car…
Lotus Seven SS
Weighing next to nothing and boasting a 125hp Holbay Twin-Cam engine, there was simply nothing like the Lotus Seven SS back in 1969. The Seven still lives on today, of course, albeit wearing a Caterham badge. The basic formula (and it really is basic) has endured.
Lotus Eleven
The Eleven was essentially a racing car you could buy in road-legal form. Its Coventry Climax engine was tiny, but aerodynamics made this Lotus competitive at Le Mans in 1957.
Lotus Elan Sprint
For us, this makes the top three of great Lotus road cars. The original Elan was a perfect exponent of company founder Colin Chapman’s ‘simplify, then add lightness’ mantra. In its final 1970s incarnation, the Elan got the famous 126hp ‘big valve’ twin-cam engine – good for 0-60mph in just 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 125mph.
Ford Cortina Lotus
The Ford Cortina Lotus – or ‘Lotus Cortina’ to its friends – is perhaps the most famous of the third-party cars tuned in Hethel. Ford partnered with Lotus to prepare its Cortina saloon for racing, leading to famous victories for Jim Clark. However, you could have almost as much fun on the public road in the 1960s. These revvy twin-cam precursors to the hot hatchback can still be seen driving on their door handles at the annual Goodwood Revival.
Lotus Europa Twin-Cam
Losing the Renault engine from the distinctive Europa was a good move. A Lotus Twin-Cam motor brought this little mid-engined sports car to life in 1971.
Lotus Esprit Turbo
The most iconic Lotus shape. Just look at it! The original Esprit was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, whose career highlights include the Mk1 Volkswagen Golf, Fiat Panda, Maserati Bora and BMW M1. With a 210hp turbocharged engine, it could exceed 150mph, although we don’t recommend it unless your codename is ‘007’.
Lotus Elan 100
Shock, horror: a front-wheel-drive Lotus. But fear not, it’s still great to drive. With a 160hp turbocharged Isuzu engine and a brilliant chassis, the Elan 100 served up plenty of fun in 1989.
Lotus Esprit Sport 350
A stylish new body by Peter Stevens and a twin-turbo V8 made the Esprit even more desirable. Add rarity to the mix – only 50 examples of the Sport 350 were made – and you have perhaps the ultimate Esprit. Pictured is the Sport 300 (just imagine it with a big rear wing).
Vauxhall Lotus Carlton
A car that strikes fear into the hearts of supercars, the Carlton saw Lotus take its fettling of previously unassuming road cars to a new level. With a turbocharged V6 producing 377hp, it could crack 175mph. Sensational stuff in 1990.
Lotus Elise S1
Lotus’s bread and butter for the modern era – although not for much longer – the Elise first appeared in 1996. Instantly, it brought the brand back to its lightweight, nimble roots. The 111S version had around 145hp and seemed plenty quick enough. It could also shame larger, heavier supercars on a twisty B-road.
Lotus Elise GT1
Speaking of supercars, here’s the Elise GT1. With a roaring American-based V8, this car seems almost entirely out of character for Lotus. Sadly, it never succeeded in road-based GT1 racing, which saw McLaren and Porsche take Le Mans victories. Only one road car was homologated.
Lotus Exige S1
As a pure driving machine, the first generation Exige deserves its spot here. This hardcore, hard-topped and bewinged beast is revered by many as perhaps the greatest modern Lotus.
Lotus Elise S2
The restyled Elise swapped a Rover K-series engine for Toyota twin-cam units. They were arguably less characterful, but certainly more capable. The pinnacle was the supercharged 220hp Elise SC, which could rocket from zero to 60mph in 4.3 seconds.
Lotus 340R
Strip the shell from an S1 Elise, bolt on a body that comes from a Mad Max movie and you have the 340R. With the Sport pack fitted, it produced 190hp in 2000. In a car weighing 701kg, that’s plenty.
Lotus Exige S2
The second Exige and last of the naturally-aspirated versions. This is a car that needs to be celebrated, as it takes the revvy Toyota engine up to 190hp. Jeremy Clarkson fought off an Apache helicopter gunship using one on Top Gear in 2004.
Lotus 2-Eleven
Invoking the spirit of the 340R, the 2-Eleven is a cannibalised Exige with a 250hp supercharged Toyota engine. Weighing just 670kg, the 2-Eleven was quick: 0-60 in under four seconds and a 150mph top speed. Making it road-legal was a £1,100 option.
Lotus Evora
First it was rumoured to be the new Esprit, then the ‘Eagle’ prototype name started floating around. When the Evora was revealed in 2009, it was praised, but wasn’t quite the Lotus rebirth some had hoped for. Still, we’ve no arguments with a sporty, mid-engined, semi-luxurious two-plus-two with a 280hp six-cylinder heart.
Lotus Exige S3 V6
That same six-cylinder engine made its way into the third-generation Exige, packing 345hp thanks to a supercharger. In present 430 form it has – you guessed it – 430hp. That’s more than twice the power of the S2 and enough to keep a Porsche 911 GT3 honest on a road or racetrack.
Lotus 3-Eleven
The 3-Eleven wasthe quickest production Lotus road car ever when it was revealed in 2016. With a 450hp supercharged V6, it could top 180mph and crack 60mph in three seconds flat.
Lotus Evora Sport
It didn’t take long for Lotus to supercharge the Evora. It first reached 350hp, then leapt up to 400, 410 and 430. With carbon fibre aero add-ons and a price tag nudging £100,000, the Evora 430 almost achieves supercar status.
Lotus Evija
The Evija, however, leaps straight into the realm of the hypercar. Pronounced ‘Ev-eye-a’, this 2,000hp all-electric machine is a halo model, paid for by a much-needed cash injection from Geely. Only 130 will be made, priced at well over £1 million each. We’ve come a long way from that old Seven SS…
Lotus Exige Sport 390 Final Edition
Here’s the first of the run-out models marking the end of Exige and Elise production. The Exige Sport 390 serves up an extra 40hp from an uprated Edelbrock supercharger and sprints to 60mph in 3.7 seconds. Unique paint colours, wheel finishes, decals and Final Edition badging will surely make it a collector’s item in years to come.
Lotus Exige Sport 420 Final Edition
The Exige Sport 420 ups the ante, with 60mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 180mph. The Eibach anti-roll bars and Nitron dampers are both adjustable, while AP Racing brakes offer serious stopping power. Lotus describes it as ‘the most complete driving car of its class’.
Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition
We end with the Elise, the car that has sustained Lotus for a remarkable 25 years. Choose all the lightweight options (selected carbon fibre panels, lithium-ion battery, polycarbonate rear window) and the Sport 240 Final Edition weighs a modest 898kg – half as much as many modern sports cars. It’s still a brilliant driving machine that Colin Chapman would surely have been proud of. We’ll miss it when it’s gone.
Former Formula One World Champion Nigel Mansell has backed calls to make Friday 19 July ‘check your vehicle day’.
It’s part of Highways England’s ongoing safety campaign around motorway driving, and comes ahead of what the RAC is calling ‘Frantic Friday’.
Millions of extra cars are likely to hit the road this weekend as the nation’s schools break up for the summer and families head to the traditional tourist hotspots. Highways England and Nigel Mansell are urging motorists to carry out some basic checks in advance to avoid breaking down.
‘Getting to your finish line’
The 1992 F1 champion said: “The ‘check your vehicle day’ is a great initiative from Highways England. As someone who raced in Formula 1 for well over a decade, I know a thing or two about good vehicle preparation – and what this means for getting to your finish line.
“Making sure your car is fully ready for the journey ahead could not only save you and your family a lot of heartache on the way to your destination; but ensure that you, your occupants and other road users are as safe as possible.
“It should be a weekly task for the driver to make sure all lights are working on his or her car, all glass areas are clean, wipers clear the windscreen properly, tyres at least meet legal requirements and water and oil levels are topped up.
“I am delighted to give my stamp of approval to Highways England’s call to action and please pay attention to it, as it could save your life and those around you.”
Basic checks to avoid a breakdown
Highways England is expecting to respond to an extra 700 breakdowns a week over the six-week school holiday period, increasing the number of motorway breakdowns a week to almost 5,000. Many breakdowns could be avoided by carrying out some basic checks before leaving home. For example:
Check the tyre pressures, paying close attention to specific guidelines for a vehicle loaded with passengers and luggage.
Check the engine oil using the dipstick, and top up if required. If the vehicle is consuming too much oil, speak to a mechanic in advance of a long journey.
Check the coolant to ensure that it sits between the ‘min’ and ‘max’ levels.
Check that the wipers are in good condition and there’s sufficient screenwash in the reservoir.
Check all of the lights, including headlights, brake lights, reversing lights and indicators.
Check the fuel, refilling close to home is a good idea in case you get stuck in congestion. A distress purchase of fuel on the motorway is likely to be expensive.
Richard Leonard, head of road safety at Highways England, said: “Breakdowns are still too common. We’d urge motorists to check their vehicles on a regular basis and this week is really important because we know that many schools break up for summer and people are setting off on holidays and getaways.”
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