mikeyb
08-04-2008, 09:49 AM
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266517_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266535_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266532_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266529_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266526_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266523_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266520_25.jpg
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.
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266535_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266532_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266529_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266526_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266523_25.jpg
http://www.evo.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_533/car_photo_266520_25.jpg
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.