Lets say it this way: leaving straightline speed out of the equation the Elise Mk1 eats *anything* non-Lotus and that with "only" 120 HP. Driver skill is important but even a lesser -or less dedicated- driver will show most street supercars a clean backside if that's what was wanted.
I have witnessed first hand some very clever guys in a (streetdriven) Porsche
911 bi-turbo overtake the little Elise after Raidillion at Spa, becoming annoyed because they were chased through the following corners and finally overtaking just before Blanchimont.They past it again during Blanchimont (a full throttle easy double left) but the Elise was on their tail at the busstop, first out of it and first at the Source. In a street car Eau Rouge is tricky because it closes and you go uphill to the Raiddillion again. Of course they got the Lotus back at the straight but
3 laps were suffisscient to boil their brakes or tires and a very nice Porsche got destroyed that day.That trackday proved there were capable streetcars, Lotus cars (Elise, Exige and that very fast one with the strange bodywork) and competition cars. Do not race and leave the ego in the closet during trackdays.
The Lotus cars mixed in lap times, all out speed and braking with the purpose build competition cars. The one with the strange bodywork was imho even better than most race cars.
A 190 HP Elise or the Exige will go better / faster than its 120 HP-version, no doubt about. But on normal roads you are very far in license ban area when you use the extra HP, not to mention being a mortal danger to yourself. I would positively hate going of the road in Elise with trees in the vincinity.
Did I say I like the Elise Mk1? No? Well: I do. It's very near to perfection.
120 HP is the right mixture between something that still is a hoot to drive and staying reliable. It fits the bill perfectly for a 680 kg car.Tom De Moor