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[video=youtube;k33JnLIJDDI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k33JnLIJDDI[/video]
We're lucky to live in an age where mid-engine sports cars are everywhere. Vehicles like the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman, Alfa Romeo 4C, and Lotus Evora all populate our streets, offering some of the best driving experiences around. Some cars, like the Lotus Elise Cup 250, can't make it to our shores due to pesky safety regulations. But that doesn't mean we can't compare it to Porsche's latest mid-engine drop-top.
The 718 Boxster S is Porsche's latest foray into downsized turbocharged engines, with its brand new 2.5-liter flat four replacing the car's signature naturally aspirated flat-six. While the enthusiasts may cry out in anger, the engine makes up in power for what it loses in character. 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque launch the Boxster to 60 in 4.5 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the outgoing model. While it may be a fantastic performer, it still keeps many luxuries, like full carpeting, leather, and even a power folding soft-top.
The Elise, on the other hand, is much more focused. Aggressive aerodynamics, lightweight components, a manual roof, and stiff suspension all contribute to the fantastic capabilities of Lotus's newest Cup 250. Its lightweight body helps it go around Lotus's test track as fast as a V6 Exige, and what results is an incredibly immediate drive.
While we may not be able to buy a new Elise Cup here in the U.S., it's interesting to see how it compares to cars like the 718 Boxster. Autocar has brought the two roadsters together on some of Britain's best B-roads to see which roadster is the better pick.
We're lucky to live in an age where mid-engine sports cars are everywhere. Vehicles like the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman, Alfa Romeo 4C, and Lotus Evora all populate our streets, offering some of the best driving experiences around. Some cars, like the Lotus Elise Cup 250, can't make it to our shores due to pesky safety regulations. But that doesn't mean we can't compare it to Porsche's latest mid-engine drop-top.
The 718 Boxster S is Porsche's latest foray into downsized turbocharged engines, with its brand new 2.5-liter flat four replacing the car's signature naturally aspirated flat-six. While the enthusiasts may cry out in anger, the engine makes up in power for what it loses in character. 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque launch the Boxster to 60 in 4.5 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the outgoing model. While it may be a fantastic performer, it still keeps many luxuries, like full carpeting, leather, and even a power folding soft-top.
The Elise, on the other hand, is much more focused. Aggressive aerodynamics, lightweight components, a manual roof, and stiff suspension all contribute to the fantastic capabilities of Lotus's newest Cup 250. Its lightweight body helps it go around Lotus's test track as fast as a V6 Exige, and what results is an incredibly immediate drive.
While we may not be able to buy a new Elise Cup here in the U.S., it's interesting to see how it compares to cars like the 718 Boxster. Autocar has brought the two roadsters together on some of Britain's best B-roads to see which roadster is the better pick.