What it won't be, however, is a blatant imitation of the Elise. It will boast extra creature comforts as well as delivering a markedly different and less frenzied driving experience...
...Although engineers from Lotus have been heavily involved with the running gear and drivetrain development, the Speedster driving experience will be tamer than that of a Lotus, and feature a neutral handling balance more suitable for less experienced motorists. The extra weight of the Vauxhall/Opel engine will also have an influence on how the car behaves, according to Lotus, calling for different suspension settings to those of the Elise. Despite weighing in at 800kg, performance from the Speedster will still be impressive, with a potential top speed of 138mph.