Lotus Exige - Perfection, Evolved

LOTUS
EXIGE

LOTUS

EXIGE

LOTUS
EXIGE

LOTUS

EXIGE

The Lotus Exige built upon the Elise’s engineering prowess, doubling down on power while fine-tuning the handling to deliver responsive, track-optimised thrills.

PERFECTION, EVOLVED

Launching in 1996, the Lotus Elise was the most popular car Lotus has ever produced. And its iconic design and chassis technology inspired a new generation of performance-oriented Lotus racecars. As the millennium approached, Lotus had not been competing in motorsport for a number of years. With the British Touring Car Championship growing in popularity, there was the perfect opportunity for Lotus to return to the track and debut the latest advancements in racing technology.

Initial concepts for the car that would become the Lotus Exige iterated upon the Elise chassis, with a more powerfully tuned engine and hardtop roof. As the idea developed, the Lotus Design team sketched a radically new concept, and the Lotus Exige was truly born.

Bred for the track

1 / 4

Although road legal, the Exige is a track car through and through, with a stripped-back cockpit that prioritises feedback and control.

DESIGN & PERFORMANCE

The Lotus Exige deviated from the Elise’s roadcar spirit to create a truly race-optimised sportscar. The Exige debuted a more aggressive full coupe design with flared wheel arches and a roof-mounted air scoop. The new design proved popular and broke new ground as an engineering concept – all the new body panels could be fitted to the existing Lotus Elise chassis.

The Lotus Elise gearbox was swapped out for a non-synchromesh racing box and the Exige was fitted with a single centre-mounted seat, non-removable hardtop roof, kamm-tail rear bodywork and a pylon-mounted rear spoiler. The Exige implemented its own version of the Elise’s pioneering, bonded aluminium chassis, adding a unique rear subframe and forged aluminium double wishbone suspension at the rear of the car.

Under the rear panel, the Lotus Exige packed the same Rover 1.8-litre 118bhp K-Series engine as its predecessor, tuned for more power output. This generated a top speed of 219b kph and a quick 0-100 kph mph time of 4.6 seconds.

Following its track success, a more road-friendly version was developed. The Lotus Exige was still a track car at heart, but this new variant added an extra front seat, as well as a track-derived front splitter and rear wing, and road-legal Yokohama track tires. Comfort features such as air conditioning were notably absent. Leaving its status as an Elise variant behind, the Lotus Exige was officially unveiled at the Autobytel series race in 2000 – with the name derived from the French ‘exiger’, meaning ‘demanding’.

Stats

Name Lotus Exige
Year of production 2000 - 2021
Volume Approx. 10,497
Engine Rover K-Series + Toyota V6
Power output 430 bhp / 436 PS / 321 kW @ 7000 rpm
Transmission 6-speed Toyota EA60 close ratio manual transmission
Weight 1,056 kg

SPECIAL
EDITIONS

EXIGE SPORT 350

Launching in 2019, the Lotus Exige Sport 350 demonstrated the simple effectiveness of a high power-to-weight ratio. Swapping out the engine for a torque-heavy 3.5 litre supercharged V6, the Lotus Exige Sport 350 was optimised for snappy acceleration and instant response. Without power-assisted steering, the Sport 350 offered an incredible level of feedback and all-condition driving excitement.

EXIGE CUP 430 FINAL EDITION

The Lotus Exige Cup 430 Final Edition was developed to celebrate the Exige’s last year of production. Featuring a range of additional interior and exterior features – including a 3.5-litre supercharged V6, with a baffled sump – the Cup 430 edition sat on top of the Exige range. Chargecooled for a consistent 430 bhp and capable of generating 171 kg of downforce, the Lotus Exige Cup 430 is considered one of the quickest-ever sportscars, in terms of its real-world performance.

EXIGE SPORT 420 FINAL EDITION

Also launching to celebrate the final year of the Exige’s production run, the blazing fast 420 Final Edition includes the upgraded 3.5-litre supercharged V6, as well as a range of interior and exterior features. Most notably, the dashboard was upgraded to a TFT race-style display with choice of two screens. The Lotus Exige Sport 420 Final Edition released in a new selection of colourways, paying tribute to iconic liveries from Lotus history.

EXIGE SPORT 390 FINAL EDITION

Also launching to celebrate the final year of the Exige’s production run, the blazing fast 420 Final Edition includes the upgraded 3.5-litre supercharged V6, as well as a range of interior and exterior features. Most notably, the dashboard was upgraded to a TFT race-style display with choice of two screens. The Lotus Exige Sport 420 Final Edition released in a new selection of colourways, paying tribute to iconic liveries from Lotus history.

THE FUTURE

IS HERE

ELETRE

The all-new and all-electric, Hyper-SUV. It takes the core principles and Lotus DNA from almost 75 years of sports car design and engineering, evolving them into a desirable all-new lifestyle car.

DISCOVER ELETRE

EMIRA

Supercar looks, everyday usability and enhanced comfort combined with class leading Lotus driving dynamics.

DISCOVER EMIRA

* These figures are target figures. The target figures are based upon simulated results for the WLTP test procedure. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the options fitted, variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.