Actually the Mk1 arrived slightly before the 111S and has my name in the logbook - guess I should have suggested someone else run the newer car, but (and in this order) greed and curiosity about the differences between the two cars meant I kept my mouth shut until the deed was done. What the hell - Prescott seems to get away with running plural Jags.

The 111S has already done service on the Lotus press fleet, hence the 8822-mile odometer reading. Obviously it would have been nicer if it had shown up during the summer rather than the depths of winter, but at least it has the optional air-con fitted that makes the morning demist ritual more bearable than it is in the Mk1. One of the reasons for having the 111S on the Fast Fleet is to see if the Elise Mk2 really can stack up against the likes of the Boxster as a year-round sports car, and this winter - with its floods and snow - has already proved a stern test.

My right arm's contribution to the festive season meant I didn't get out much in either Elise over Christmas and New Year, but I've been far enough in the 111S to appreciate how much quieter it is than my Mk1; that isn't necessarily a good thing, but on the longish trips I've been doing recently, I'm thankful for now. Given the scarcity of daylight at the moment, I'm also thankful for the 111S's illuminated heater controls, which mean no more fumbling around the facia trying to identify switchgear in the dark.

Other immediate positives include speakers in front of you where you can actually hear them (they're tucked behind the seats in the Mk1) and a hood arrangement of such comparative simplicity you can consider taking the roof off when the weather is touch-and-go - the Mk1 roof has proved so fiddly it comes off only on a written promise of at least six hours' sunshine.

A big improvement though the Mk2 is, having it around hasn't spoiled the pleasure of driving my Mk1. My Mustard Yellow machine is a high-miler - 54,000 - and is due a major service, which I'm considering having done at the factory; the old motorsport workshops now operate as a customer service facility. Once my car's back to 100 per cent and the roads dry up, it'll be interesting to see how the two Elises in my care stack up dynamically. At least, that's my excuse for having the pair of them.