• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

RallyWays

A Million Ways to Drive™

  • About
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Services
  • Photography
Lotus Elise Triplet – The Belgian Ardennes Drive

by Philippe Govaerts

Lotus Elise Triplet – The Belgian Ardennes Drive

The Belgian Ardennes Drive – 4300 square miles of forests, rivers and valleys, small towns and phenomenal driving roads with little traffic. Combine all of that with a couple of cool Lotus Cars and some friends, and you get a tasteful recipe for a great day out.

For us, petrolheads, nothing beats a day of pure driving pleasure after a stressful week at work. That’s why I decided to organize a day trip to The Ardennes in Belgium, the Colin Chapman way, with a couple of friends and of course their Lotus cars. The lineup for this story consists of three Elises, though completely different from each other.

Three Lotus Cars

I like purpose-built cars a lot, and a Lotus Elise is a very good example of that. While most manufacturers build big engines with lots of horsepower for their performance cars, Lotus uses rather small engines (even by European standards) but reduces the weight of their cars to the bare minimum by using aluminum and a lot of composite materials.

Let’s look at the Lotus triplet we have here…

Pascal’s 2012 Elise Club Racer in CR-Exclusive Sky Blue

2012 Lotus Elise Club Racer Sky Blue

Let’s start off with the 2012 Elise Club Racer in the CR-exclusive color Sky Blue, owned by my good friend Pascal. I’ve known Pascal for several years now, and as a born sports car fanatic, he’s owned well over a dozen different performance cars and motorbikes. Somehow along the way, he fell in love with the Lotus Cars brand and what they stand for. From a variety of Elises, a supercharged Exige and an Evora, he has driven and owned all of them. With all his passion and experience with cars, there is no doubt that he is one of the finest drivers I know.

Gulf Gasoline Teddy Bear
Perfect riding companion – Doesn’t talk much.

The interior of the Club Racer breathes motorsport. From the beautifully crafted and painted GRP racing seats to the bare aluminum floor and CR-embroidered floor mats. This more Spartan version and special edition of the Elise uses the same 134BHP 1.6 liter DOHC 16V engine of the standard Elise, but Pascal chose to add the additional power pack and performance pack which adds a little bit more horsepower and responsiveness. The car has some more special features like Bilstein dampers, an Eibach anti-roll bar and a limited slip differential. Being a Club Racer means it is also a bit lighter (-19KG) with a total weight of 857 kilograms due to the absence of sound proofing and the usage of a smaller motorsport-type battery. The Elise Club racer is a blast to drive on public roads during your weekend trips, or you can go flat-out on your favorite racetrack during trackdays as well.

2012 Lotus Elise CR Sky Blue

Going on a trip with Pascal is always fun, and this trip was no exception. You never know where you will end up, but the food will always be hot and the tires outside smoking.

The Ardennes’ breathtaking autumn scenery, winding roads and these beautiful British machines make an unforgettable driving experience.

Steve’s 2004 Lotus Elise 111R RHD Model in Starlight Black Metallic

2004 Lotus Elise 111R - British Market

After a long time of searching, Steve finally found his Lotus dream car only a week prior to our trip to the Ardennes. The fact that it is a (UK-market) right-hand drive, gives the car and owner a more eccentric and individualistic look on the Belgian roads – A look that suits Steve well. His Elise is a 2004 111R model in gorgeous Starlight Black Metallic. It is more brutal and raw in contrast with Pascal’s more refined Elise Club Racer.

Lotus Elise 111R Right Hand Drive

The 111R’s high revving 1.8 liter DOHC 16V naturally aspirated power plant produces a total of 189 BHP. Combine that with a curb weight of only 860 kilograms, and you get a pretty fast car. The modified suspension and Yokohama Advan rubber makes the car stick to the road. With the optional Stage-2 exhaust system installed it creates a very aggressive and loud exhaust note. In fact, it’s so loud that the only way the driver and passenger can communicate is by yelling at each other and using hand signs. Top this all off with some good old racing stripes and carbon fiber bits and pieces, and you get a mean-looking track machine.

2004 Lotus Elise Starlight Black Metallic

You can’t deny that this 111R is for born motorsport enthusiasts only.

Belgian Ardennes Cozy Towns

On our trip, we passed by several cozy little towns where we could stop to have a drink or rest for a minute, before getting on the road again.

Frankie’s 2012 Ardent Red Lotus Elise

2012 Ardent Red Lotus Elise Rear

The Ardent Red Lotus is Frankie’s. After doing some research, he only recently bought his first sports car, a 2012 Elise. The car was originally bought by a Danish doctor who had a pharmaceutical company in Luxemburg. Back in 2012, this man ordered the newest version of the Lotus Exige, but due to manufacturer waiting times at Lotus Cars UK, they told him he had to wait for about two years before his Exige would be finished. That’s when he decided to buy an Elise which was currently in stock at the Belgian Lotus dealership in Oostende, so that he could enjoy driving this one while waiting on his other one being built.

2012 Lotus Elise at Speed

Earlier this year, almost two years later, Lotus Cars UK delivered the doctor’s brand new Exige and they took the 2-year old red Elise back in stock to put it up for sale with only 12,000 miles on the odometer.

Ardent Red Lotus Elise

Frankie didn’t hesitate and bought the car immediately as it was exactly what he was looking for. He thinks the Ardent Red paint perfectly matches the car’s personality. In my opinion, he’s right! This Elise features the touring pack, which includes leather seats and door panels, and a leather-trimmed center console for a more gentleman’s look. The Lotus power package is installed as well, which features the Stage 1 exhaust system and TRD Air Filter, a must-have option on all S3 Elises. Frankie moved to the Ardennes a couple years ago and currently owns a B&B there. What he enjoys the most is driving his car during sunset through the valleys, while hearing the sound of the screaming engine and the typical smell of the pine forest.

We couldn’t get enough of this beautiful countryside and these amazing sports cars perfectly suited for it. You won’t be able to get enough either, so here are more photos…

Belgian Ardennes Town
Cozy Belgian Ardennes town
Lotus Elise Starlight Black Metallic
Starlight Black Metallic Lotus Elise rounding an Ardennes corner.
Belgium Ardennes Tea Room
Rest area restaurant and tea room in the Ardennes in Belgium.
Colin Chapman Lotus Elise
Panning in black.
Colin Chapman Signature
The name says it all
Lotus Elise in the Belgium Countryside
Pascal’s Sky Blue 2012 Lotus Elise CR
OMP Steering Wheel Lotus Elise
OMP Suede in this right-hand-drive Lotus Elise
Ardent Red Lotus Elise in Belgium
Ardent Red will make sure the tiny Lotus gets seen

Editor’s note: The story, as well as these amazing photos come from our talented correspondent in Belgium, Philippe Govaerts. I’d personally would like to thank him very much for bringing us such an awesome bit of European sports car love. Since we are based in California, having such an awesome facet of car enthusiasm from Belgium displayed on RallyWays is something we truly appreciate. -D

Filed Under: Car Culture Tagged With: Car Enthusiasts, Car Photography, Driving, European Cars

Philippe Govaerts

Overseas RallyWays author living in Belgium, Philippe Govaerts is a photographer mainly interested in cars and racetracks. He loves road trips including those to the notorious Nürburgring Nordschleife. Philippe is also a big Porsche and Miata fan.

Join a genuine car enthusiast blog

Join the RallyWays Email List and get blog updates directly to your inbox. Simple.

Footer

RallyWays Sticker Logo

Search RallyWays

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2023 · RallyWays.com · All Rights Reserved

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Subscribe