Just over a quarter of a century ago the first Lotus Elise changed the affordable sportscar game. This brought the concept of an affordable, mid-engined roadster back from the dead and in doing so, saved Lotus from yet another brush with bankruptcy. The fact that Lotus was able to launch the new Emira at the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard last year is largely thanks to this car. Festival of Speed and SpeedWeek presented by Mastercard host Becky Evans explains why the Elise still stacks up so brilliantly today as well as talking to owner Andrew Hamilton about what drew him to the lithe little Lotus.
Video: Lotus Elise S1 | Future Classics
Welcome to Future Classics, a very Goodwood look at the cars we love that we think are either collectible already or well on their way. For the most part, the cars will be post-1993, the year of the very first Festival of Speed but apart from that we are open to coupes, convertibles, hot hatches, supercars and super saloons. Engines can be mounted up front, amidships or in the rear and have about any cylinder count and configuration you could care to mention.

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