One Way Road

Johanna’s Journey to Becoming a Lotus Aficionado

Growing up in North Germany, Johanna was never particularly interested in cars. Yet, her childhood memories carry a few exceptions—moments spent with her father on the autobahn, speeding along Germany’s famed highways. She loved the sensation of speed, the thrill of the open road, and the bond she shared with her father during those drives. Though her automotive fascination didn’t fully awaken then, these rides marked the beginning of her love for fast driving.

Years later, Johanna moved to Switzerland for her studies. Living on a student budget, she wasn’t earning much, but that didn’t stop her from investing in her first car. Despite her parents' concerns, Johanna spent 2000 Euros on an old Porsche 924, an ambitious purchase for a young student. The Porsche wasn’t a perfect machine, but it gave her a taste of freedom and the joy of being behind the wheel of a performance-oriented car.

As her journey progressed, she parted with the 924 and leveled up, first with a Porsche Cayman and then a Porsche 997. The Cayman offered her the agility and precision she sought, and the 997 brought a more refined power, but neither felt like her “forever” car.

That was when Johanna’s partner introduced her to the Lotus Elise. She had her first experience with it in Schwarzwald, South Germany, driving through winding roads and scenic landscapes. Instantly, the lightweight, raw character of the Lotus captured her heart. When she returned to her Porsche, it felt heavy and less focused than the Lotus—a car born for the racetrack and pure driving enjoyment.

With her mind set on a Lotus, Johanna eventually purchased a Lotus Elise S3. She loved it so much that she later added a Lotus Exige S2 to her garage. But she quickly learned that these cars, though thrilling, weren’t the most practical for daily life. The Elise was too minimalistic for daily errands or long commutes, but that didn’t matter—she loved the Lotus driving experience so much that she happily adapted around its quirks.

Today, Johanna is the proud owner of both a Lotus Elise S3 and a Lotus Exige S2. She’s developed an affinity for racetracks, where she tests her limits and improves her driving skills. Her dedication to performance driving is evident in how quickly she’s mastered track techniques, bolstered by countless hours of practice on her sim-racer at home.

From a young autobahn enthusiast to a dedicated Lotus driver and track aficionado, Johanna’s journey is a testament to her love of speed and her unyielding passion for pure, driver-focused machines