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Lotus Exige S

The performance of the Lotus Exige S can differ greatly depending on modifications

Lotus Exige S

Text AUTO 192276 to 88833 to download the Lotus Exige engine ringtone to your phone. Terms & Conditions below.

14th September 2006

While its weather protection is a step up from that of the Brooke and Caterham, there is no doubt that the Lotus Exige S is an equally track-focused machine. Until the arrival of the Europa next month, this is the Lotus range-topper, and the fastest car in its line-up.

 
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.

(Service costs 150p per ringtone. Normal operator charges apply. Users must have a GPRS-enabled and compatible handset and be over 16. Support email mobile@dennis.co.uk.)

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For an alternative review of the latest Lotus Exige visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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    Lotus Exige S
    Lotus Exige S
    Lotus Exige S

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    Specifications

    On-the-road price: £34,945
    Engine/capacity: 4cyl in-line/1,796cc
    Peak power: 220/7,800 bhp/rpm
    Peak torque: 215/5,500 Nm/rpm
    Kerbweight: 949kg
    0-60 claimed/actual: 4.6/4.1secs
    30-70mph/top speed: 4.3secs/148mph
    60-0mph: 31.1 metres
    Noise idle/full revs: 54/92dB
    Lap time/ranking: 1min 39.1secs/5th

    Road rating: 3/5
    Track rating: 5/5
    Feelgood factor: 4/5
    Value rating: 3/5
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