Stark 236bhp Elise S1
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Stark 236bhp Elise S1
Trigger Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:38 pm
Reworked Lotus gets 236bhp Honda engine
By Roger Green
August 2008
On the face of it, £26,800 seems a lot for a series 1 Elise, even one that’s had its original Rover K-series engine replaced by a K20A Honda Civic Type-R unit, but then there’s much more to Stark Automotive’s ‘Elise R’ conversion than that. The chassis is stripped and cleaned, the bodywork is resprayed and the interior is re-trimmed in Alcantara. Underneath, the suspension receives an equally comprehensive makeover, gaining adjustable Nitron Racing dampers, powder-coated wishbones and upgraded toe links and bushes.
The result is a car that not only looks and feels brand new, but is also one of the best trackday Elises I’ve ever driven. As you’d expect with 236bhp in such a lightweight machine, the Stark fires itself at the horizon furiously when the VTEC lobes come on cam. The six-speed Honda gearbox helps keep everything nicely on the boil and uprated brakes tirelessly keep everything in check. Meanwhile, understeer has been banished and replaced by balance and rear-end adjustability.
One drive is all it takes for you to realise that, far from being expensive, this little Elise is actually very good value indeed.
By Roger Green
August 2008
On the face of it, £26,800 seems a lot for a series 1 Elise, even one that’s had its original Rover K-series engine replaced by a K20A Honda Civic Type-R unit, but then there’s much more to Stark Automotive’s ‘Elise R’ conversion than that. The chassis is stripped and cleaned, the bodywork is resprayed and the interior is re-trimmed in Alcantara. Underneath, the suspension receives an equally comprehensive makeover, gaining adjustable Nitron Racing dampers, powder-coated wishbones and upgraded toe links and bushes.
The result is a car that not only looks and feels brand new, but is also one of the best trackday Elises I’ve ever driven. As you’d expect with 236bhp in such a lightweight machine, the Stark fires itself at the horizon furiously when the VTEC lobes come on cam. The six-speed Honda gearbox helps keep everything nicely on the boil and uprated brakes tirelessly keep everything in check. Meanwhile, understeer has been banished and replaced by balance and rear-end adjustability.
One drive is all it takes for you to realise that, far from being expensive, this little Elise is actually very good value indeed.
Trigger- Website and Forum Manager
- Number of posts : 1246
Location : Forest of Dean
Registration date : 2008-07-14 -
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