I'll start with what the Lotus doesn't have:

Cupholders
Power steering
Cruise control
Adjustable passenger seat
Adjustable passenger side mirror
Glove compartment
Adequate stereo
Adequate air conditioning
Adequate trunk space
Bumpers
Spare tire or jack
Sound deadening
Intermittant setting on windshield wipers (OK, maybe mine just doesn't work)
Headlights that point in the same general direction
Room for size 13 shoes
Windows that don't shatter when you close the door

Here's the rest that it does have:

Rear Wheel Drive
Curb weight w/ hardtop on: 1984lbs
Engine: mid-mounted all-aluminum lightweight 1.8l 4cyl 190hp 138ft/lb (Celica GTS engine [designed by Yamaha] heavily retuned by Lotus)

The 2ZZ is a great engine. It was Toyota's first all-aluminum engine and its power-to-weight ratio is outstanding for its displacement class. It only weighs a tad over 250 pounds. Lotus messed with the exhaust and ECU (maybe some other stuff) and upped Toyota's version another 10hp. It also made a huge torque spike at around 6200rpm that throws you back against your seat as the 2nd cam kicks in. It's very awesome.

Traction Control System
Limited Slip Differential
Janspeed Stage 2 Exhaust System
Yokohama ADVAN A048 LTS tires (17" in rear, 16" in front)
6-speed gearbox
Hardtop/softtop
Starshield (clear 3M protective film for exterior)
143lb bonded aluminum chassis

Modifications I've Done:
Stage 2 exhaust muffler
Raised L-O-T-U-S chrome rear lettering
G-Timer Peformance Computer (not really a mod I guess)

Modifications I Plan To Do:
Painted Center Console
Painted A/C Surround
Painted Engine Valve Covers

Performance (first 3 stats as given by Car and Driver...dubious but possible...they have some great drivers)

0-60: 4.4
1/4mi: 13.2 @ 104mph
Skidpad: 1.06g
Top Speed: ~150mph
Slalom: 71.6mph
60-0: 105ft

Elise's are handbuilt in a small town in England named Hethel. Approximately 1800 Elises were sold in the U.S. of the 2006 model year.

This car isn't about top speed, 1/4 mi, or 0-60 times, it's about agility and fun. The Elise's home is on the curves, which is why all the numbers associating with that (braking, lateral Gs, and weight) are excellent. Oh, and the body is also made of composite fiberglass which means it doesn't dent...it cracks. That's why you won't see many Elises in road races...too much bumping. Autocross works better.