2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 Heritage Edition

The Elise Sport 220 Heritage Edition is one of the last expressions of the Series 3 Elise formula: a supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder, a six-speed manual gearbox and a kerb weight comfortably under a tonne. With 217 bhp on tap it sits in the sweet spot of the late Elise range, offering the purity of the original recipe with performance that remains properly rapid by modern standards.

This 2020 car has covered 10,650 miles, a modest figure for its age that suggests it has been used sparingly rather than hoarded. The Heritage Edition packaging was Lotus's nod to its own back catalogue, with period-inspired colour and trim choices and unique detailing that set it apart from a standard Sport 220. As a limited run of the final-generation Elise, it carries more collectability than the regular car.

The Elise remains a benchmark for steering feel and chassis balance, with unassisted steering and a bonded aluminium tub delivering feedback few new cars can match. Offered at £44,000 by Lotus Surrey, it represents an opportunity to buy a low-mileage, manual, open-top Lotus in the twilight of Elise production.