The Honda S2000 and the Lotus Elise – two roadsters, both originally produced in the 1990s, both using high-revving four-cylinder engines and both symbolising long-held traditions of their builders.

Even so, the similarities of the two roadsters end there, one using a classic front-engined layout, the other combining cutting-edge construction and a mid-engined configuration. Of course, Honda and Lotus have formidable motorsport experience, and both channel this into their road cars and use it as a basis for their trademark engineering approaches.

Honda’s high-revving, naturally aspirated engines are justly famed. And Lotus is equally hailed for its lightweight, minimalist approach and application of innovative chassis technology.

The Honda S2000’s handsome, classical roadster proportions were matched with a simply incredible 2.0-litre engine capable of revving to 9,000rpm. A true drivers car, the S2000 gained a reputation for somewhat snappy handling that Honda has addressed with a number of tweaks and upgrades, most recently at the beginning of 2007 models – including Honda introducing traction control, which was a must for this lairy ‘rear end happy’ car!

But can an updated version of a nine-year-old car really take on Lotus’s latest and greatest?  The British corner being fought by the supercharged Elise SC. Weighing just over 900kg and powered by a supercharged 1.8-litre Toyota engine revving to over 8,000rpm, this latest Elise is a formidable package.

I think if these two roadsters were put together on a track, i think we can safely say it would be very entertaining and we would be standing back and watching the sparks fly…!

Lotus Elise Statistics 

Engine – 1.8 litre supercharged

Power (BHP) – 218 @ 8,000

Torque (lb/ft) – 156 @ 5,000

0 – 62 MPH (secs) – 4.6

Top Speed (MPH) – 148

Combined MPG – 33.2

List Price – £33,500 

Honda S2000’s Statistics

Engine – 2.0 Litre four-cylinder

Power (BHP) – 240 @ 8,300

Torque (lb/ft) – 153 @ 7,500

0 – 62 MPH (secs) – 6.2

Top Speed (MPH) – 150

Combined MPG – 28.2

List Price – £29,500