The alarm isn't the only electrically-fed gremlin at the moment. The Clarion CD-tuner plays CDs only sporadically and never for very long before cutting out completely, while the only radio station it can hunt down on a national basis is Classic FM; even Radio 1 eludes it. Both ailments will need sorting out in a hurry as Lotus has started hinting it wants the 111S back soon - unless I want to buy it.

The thought has crossed my mind, because much as I love my mk1 Elise, as a form of everyday transport - especially one required to drive from the Suffolk/Norfolk borders to Bristol and back in a day, for instance - it has shortcomings. I wouldn't say that the mk2 completely overcomes these problems, but on long hauls its seats are more comfortable and its soundproofing very welcome. On the other hand, Mrs Fraser had her first drive of the mk1 recently, and returned complaining of piles and perforated eardrums, swearing never to drive my car again, which can only be seen as a 'result'.

And the second-generation hood arrangement continues to be a revelation compared with its predecessor, particularly during the present on/off summer weather; it means I can rid myself of the roof for a trip to the shops, whereas with the fiddlesome mk1 item careful consultation with the long-range weather forecast is required before I bother venturing out with Allen keys, etc.

I realise that this is likely to upset the die-hard mk1 crowd, but the mk2 is better to drive, too, at least on the open road. It rides more serenely, steers more intuitively, and has lots more grip. I had hoped this month to ride round the Hethel track with Gavan Kershaw, the chassis engineer who helped set up both cars, to see why he thinks the mk2 is also superior as a trackday tool, but you know how it is with the best-laid plans...