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The evergreen Lotus Elise has been spruced up, with feresher looks and lower exhaust emissions, just in time for summer.
The most obvious visual changes are its new, more angular headlights, which feature LED running lights, as well as a larger grille, flanked by a pair of flared air intakes.
The Elise's looks are now more in line with its bigger, the Evora. However, it also has an uncanny resemblance to the Ferrari California, which is no bad thing.
The rest of the design changes - a new rear bumper and engine cover, as well as fresh alloy wheels - are less obvious. Together the exterior changes reduce the Elise's aerodynamic drag by four per cent, which improves both performance and economy.
Further efficiency improvements have been made under the bonnet. By replacing the standard 'S' model's 1.8-litre engine with a new 134bhp 1.6, CO2 emissions have been cut by 13 per cent to just 155g/km. Meanwhile performance has improved with 0-60 mph taking just 6.0 seconds. Top speed stands at 124mph.
These new models will arrive in showrooms in April, when Lotus prices will remain "very close" to today's model, which costs £26,550 in 'S' trim.
The more powerful 1.8-litre R and supercharged SC will receive the same styling changes and efficiency upgrades.
