Lotus - Elise

Purists may mutter that the Elise has 'gone soft' because it is now available with air conditioning, central locking, a CD player, ABS brakes with servo assistance and even decent sound-proofing. However, it's still one of the best drivers cars around for both track use and on-road thrills. A high-revving Toyota-sourced 1.8-litre engine with variable valve timing replaces the old Rover K-Series in the range-topping 111R (189 bhp), and whilst it's a shame to see the end of a grand tradition, the Japanese unit sounds fantastic and does the Elise justice.
It should prove more reliable, too, though buyers must remember that this is still a hand-built, low-production model, with every car a one-off. Lotus is continuing the Rover-engined 1.8 and higher-specced 1.8 S (both 120 bhp), the 111 and 111 S (156 bhp) and the stripped-out 135 R (135 bhp) for a while, but the Toyota engine will eventually take over.