2013 Lotus Exige S Review
Lotus has delighted racers for decades, become the envy of enthusiasts and even won a Bond girl. Nothing changed. Back from the edge of the black hole of extinction, Lotus now says it will return to its five-car plan and marks the time with the release of a road racing car that represents the core values of the company founded by the pioneering mind of Colin Chapman.
The Exige S is a hybrid in the sense that it transforms the chassis of a four-cylinder Elise with a V6-powered Evora drivetrain. Basically, it creates a very light, very powerful little car that is fast, fun and maybe a little fragile.
VALUE
It costs $119,900 plus tolls, and that puts it in the spotlight for cars as purpose-built as the Caterham and Morgan, as balanced as the Porsche Cayman S, and as road-worthy as the BMW M3 and 335i.
The Exige S is closer to the Caterham in its roughness, but adds more power, a little more civility and roof. Standard equipment is minimalistic - as you'd expect - and really recognizes that it's only 2013 with air conditioning, an iPod/USB-friendly audio system, power windows and tri-mode engine management.
Design
Lotus doesn't have much money at the moment. That's why there's a hint of Evora on the front. It's essentially a hardtop Exige, albeit a non-removable one, and only the $3250 test car's beautiful pearl white premium paint makes it stand out more than its sisters.
The seats are now made for people, rather than the fiberglass sloped tubs found in the Elise. The fact that it's mounted on an Elise chassis (though with a 70mm longer wheelbase) doesn't change the intimacy of the cabin. As well as body folding techniques that owners and their loved ones will practice to become part of the cabin.
There are a couple of simple gauges, a scattering of warning lights and an LED fuel gauge - all impossible to read in sunlight - and a couple of switches. Bare aluminum floors, round Alcantara seats and a tinted Momo steering wheel complete the look.
TECHNOLOGY
The engine comes from Toyota and continues the relationship with the company that was cemented when Lotus decided to replace the Elise's 1.8 Rover with a 1.6 from Japan. Now it's an Aurion/Lexus 350 V6 that has been tweaked and modified by Lotus to run through an Australian 257kW/400Nm Harrop supercharger and a 7000+ redline. There's a six-speed manual transmission - an optional automatic option - and Lotus suspension, big disc brakes and 18-inch rear wheels. The engine has three selectable modes - Touring, Sport and Race - to change engine performance, and launch control is standard.
SECURITY
Here are just the basics with electronic chassis and brake assists and no crash rating. There's no spare tire - just a spray can - and even rear parking sensors cost $950.
DRIVING
It's not as mind-blowingly noisy and shaky to the bone as the Elise, so that was a pleasant surprise. Find a flat road and a suitable gear, and it will move quietly and comfortably at 100 km / h, when the tachometer is only about 2400 rpm.
The seats add a little more ride comfort, now soft and not like Elise glass tubs. Aside from the fear of passing SUVs and the fact that they will never see me and my 1.1-meter white plastic shell, he coped well with traffic jams.
But not as good as on the open road. Long country roads with frequent bitumen repair spots will rock the car, and with it the passengers. Not nice. But the long runs at Wanneroo Raceway treat her like royalty.
The Exige S will take corners perfectly, the unassisted direct steering catches every stone and loose piece of rubber from the tires and transfers them precisely to the rider's fingers. Learn how it moves in arcs and you can apply more force.
And then the car explodes. It has more to do with a jolt of torque that rises sharply from just above idle to a big bump at 3500rpm and then plateau to 7000rpm. It's such a strong, light flow, and the noise from the exhaust—oddly, the supercharger's whine is modest—is so addictive that you can quickly empty a small 43-liter fuel tank.
Sport mode is good for the track, but "race" mode is best, which further sharpens the engine, disables ESC and makes it feel like a deranged kart. You return to the pits tired, smiling and wanting more, the basic emotions of a real sports car.
VERDICT
Unfortunately, it's at least the second car in the driveway. For any Sunday or any track day or any occasion to get out of the house and clear your mind.
Lotus Exige S
Cost: from $ 119,900
Guarantee: 3 years/100,000 km
Limited Service: No
Service Interval: 12 mo/15,000 km
Resale: 67%
Safety: 2 airbags, ABS, ESC, EBD, TC
Accident Rating: none
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6 petrol, 257 kW/400 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; rear drive
Thirst: 10.1 l/100 km; 95 RON; 236 g/km CO2
Dimensions: 4.1 m (L), 1.8 m (W), 1.1 m (H)
The weight: 1176kg
Spare: none
