My 2015 Elise gear shift has a slightly loose but very fluid change , very quick between the gates when required with no bulking whatsoever. It does have a strangely enjoyable light clanking noise after each shift action hits home.Regarding new open gate, I have only felt the action with a car static but it does have a very engineered feel with good weighting.As for the lower rev-line engine; you will not be short changed.Just finishing our holiday around Scotland , 2200miles clocked so far . With 13k under its belt this engine does everything , docile when required, pulls high gears from low revs, but get it just over 4krpm and it pulls like a train to the Rev limit. For on the road only performance I think it’s just about perfect .