Skip advert
Advertisement

New Lotus Exige automatic 2015 review

Paddle shift box aims to boost sports car’s appeal

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Lotus Exige
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Lotus predicts more than a third of Exige S sales could be made up of autos, yet this unresponsive box doesn’t match the rest of the car’s cat-like reflexes. There have been improvements in efficiency and acceleration, but not enough to make you want to ditch the third pedal. Still, the Exige S proves Lotus still builds some of the best-handling cars around.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Lotus’ philosophy has long been to “add lightness”, but in the Exige S, the brand’s only addition comes in the shape of a new six-speed auto gearbox. 

This transmission isn’t strictly new, as it has been adopted from the Evora, but it’s the first time it has been made available in the Exige S. The reason for its introduction is very simple – to help boost sales at minimal cost and open up the market to a new customer base. But is it any good?

You’ll pay a reasonable £2,000 extra for the automatic version over the manual, with the option of a Coupé or Roadster remaining.  

The control panel for the box is neatly crafted into the centre console. Simply depress the brake, prod ‘D’ and you’re off – at speed, too. Stab the accelerator and the rear tyres fight for traction, yet it’s quicker from 0-62mph than the manual, taking 3.9 seconds. 

The stonking 345bhp 3.5-litre V6 still nestles behind you, screaming all the way to 7,000rpm, but pulling on the right paddle reveals a notable lack of urgency when selecting the next ratio. Manual upshifts are laboured, which saps away the car’s momentum, but downshifts feel more urgent. They’re still a world away from the rapid-fire PDK you’ll find in a Porsche Cayman, though. 

Leaving the gearbox to its own devices shows the Exige S at its best. Changes are well judged, if a little sluggish, but selecting Race on the Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) system sharpens throttle response and adds some much-needed precision. 

Happily, the agile, balanced and responsive nature of the Exige S hasn’t been affected. The steering is loaded with feedback, and while the ride is on the firm side, it provides an insight into what the car is doing on the road.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £15,200
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £12,695
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £5,998 off RRP*Used from £13,300
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs
BYD Atto 3 - front cornering

EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs

Running costs for car share club EVs are £6k higher than ICE equivalents according to new data
News
8 May 2025
Bargain prices drive used car sales boom, but new cars struggle to sell
Used Renault Arkana - front action

Bargain prices drive used car sales boom, but new cars struggle to sell

Demand for pre-owned cars beats pre-pandemic levels as buyers seek out bargains
News
9 May 2025
BYD beats Dacia, Honda and Citroen: Chinese EV giant already outsells ‘big’ UK brands
BYD Seal - full front

BYD beats Dacia, Honda and Citroen: Chinese EV giant already outsells ‘big’ UK brands

EV sales were up slightly last month year-on-year, but overall car sales were down as buyers tried to dodge increased road tax
News
9 May 2025