Auto Express Greatest Drives

	Powered by a supercharged version of Toyota’s 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine, it develops 220bhp. That’s modest compared with most cars here, but plenty if you have only 875kg to shift.

Powered by a supercharged version of Toyota’s 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine, it develops 220bhp. That’s modest compared with most cars here, but plenty if you have only 875kg to shift.

Our example was fitted with Touring, Sport and Super Sport option packs, boosting its price to £42,620. Normally, we wouldn’t mention this, but the additions are fundamental to the way the Lotus drives. It now has lighter alloy wheels, a rollover bar, Eibach springs, adjustable Bilstein dampers and Yokohama track-day tyres.

The Exige’s high-speed stability was unsurpassed by any other model featured, and it has race car levels of grip. With sharp turn-in, strong ABS brakes (the 31.1-metre 60-0mph stopping distance was the best here) and wonderful steering, it’s a joy to drive and inspires confidence.

It’s not as alive as the Caterham, but the Exige offers lots of feedback, even if traction would have been helped by the £995 limited-slip diff. Stiff suspension and a low ride height sent every imperfection through the bonded aluminium chassis, and it’s very raucous inside. The new Elise S is a better road-going option.

Text AUTO 192276 to 88833 to download the Lotus Exige engine ringtone to your phone.

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