Review of Lotus Exige 2015
Lotus "boys" are rather aloof people who prefer the company of like-minded people and prefer tweed coats with patches on the elbows.
No, this is just a joke, they are actually unsettlingly attached to their cars and love the thrill of driving without the help of the steering and manual transmission that the Lotus provides.
That's why it was a little baffling when Lotus announced an automatic version of the Exige S performance king.
Don't make assumptions - an automatic is a damn good thing that is faster and arguably more fun than a manual one.
The Egad team must have thundered through many Lotus club meetings. The manufacturer from Hethel, England obviously felt the need to keep up with the times and provide an automatic transmission for city players.
And don't make any assumptions - an automatic is a damn good thing that's faster and arguably more fun than a manual one.
If you're on a track and someone shows up with an Auto Exige S, they'll probably scold you because it shifts gears faster, accelerates from 0.1 to 0 km/h 100 seconds faster, and lets you keep both hands on steering wheel thanks to paddle shifters. Even with the standard Drive selection, there is a throttle click when downshifting.
This year's editions include the Lotus racing equipment package as standard on the Exige S, in both manual and automatic transmissions. The package includes four modes of dynamic performance management, multi-mode exhaust and launch control.
With the exception of the gearbox, everything about the car is pretty much the same as the manual Exige S: Toyota's mid-mounted supercharged 3.5-liter V6, rear-wheel drive, and steering that's truck-like at parking speeds but sharp as razor, at speed. Motion.
There are premium patented parts from companies like Bilstein (shock absorbers), Eibach (springs), AP (brakes) and Harrop (supercharger).
For any car company that buys an engine, working for Toyota will come first because of its inherent good design, reliability, value, and quality.
The performance and sprint times definitely put the Exige S in supercar territory.
The 3.5 in the Exige S carries all the usual Toyota technology, including VVT-i and direct ignition - direct injection doesn't work here because it's just not needed. Lotus recalibrates the engine as well as the transmission and inserts its own engine management computer chip.
The performance and sprint times definitely put the Exige S in supercar territory.
Dynamically, the Exige S gives experienced drivers the feel of a real race car with precision, control and mass feedback. The engine is, shall we say, sufficient for a 1200-kilogram sports coupe and never lacks.
Very few cars approached the Exige S in a straight line, let alone cornered.
It's a pig to sit on because of the epoxy-based extruded alloy chassis with large side sections, but when you're seated, everything is fine, even the ride, which in softer driving modes is quite comfortable on rough roads.
Sounds amazing with an "open" exhaust, and the throttle response is just ear plugging. Similarly, when turning, your head is almost pressed against the side window.
It's not for everyone, but it's an excellent enthusiast car that sells for $137,900 auto. You can have a coupe or a roadster (with a convertible top) for the same money.
The Exige S combines sensational performance and handling in a sparsely equipped package. But he still runs like Lotus, so who cares?
