Available Packages:

Lotus Exige Julian Thomson of Lotus Lotus Power 189 bhp / 141 KW @ 7800 rpm
Torque 181 Nm / 133 ft lbs @ 6800 rpm
BHP/Liter 105 bhp / liter
Power to weight 0.22 bhp / kg
Top Speed 237 km/h / 147 mph
0-60 mph 4.9 s
0-100 mph 13.2 Bonded aluminium alloy extrusions, steel front subframe. Front suspension double wishbones, Eibach coil springs, Bilstein shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension double wishbones, Eibach coil springs, Bilstein shock absorbers Configuration Toyota 2ZZ-GE Straight 4.
Location Mid, transversely mounted.
Construction aluminium block and head.
Displacement 1.796 liter / 109.6 cu in.
Bore / Stroke 82.0 mm (3.2 in) / 85.0 mm (3.3 in).
Compression 10.3:1.
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC .
Fuel feed Fuel Injection.
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated.

Lotus Exige

The second generation Exige, unveiled as a world debut at the Geneva Motorshow in 2004, takes the racecar-for-the-road philosophy and gives the thrill seeking driver of today unbelievable performance.

The key to this phenomenal performance and handling is the total aerodynamic package (which gives 41.2 kg of downforce at 160 km/h - 19.3 kg: front and 21.9 kg: rear) and light weight, the latter made possible through innovative engineering and clever design; indeed the Exige weighs in a miniscule 875 kg - unladen with no options - giving a weight to power ratio of 4.56 kg/PS.
Unlike other supercars, the Lotus Exige isn't powered by a massive fire-breathing V8, V10 or V12. A high-revving four-cylinder engine is all that's needed to provide extraordinary performance. This is because of the vehicle's lightweight construction. There are few amenities and little sound dampening. But as a performance car where the Lotus' mantra of "simplify, then add lightness" is in full effect, the Exige is simply one of the quickest, most dynamic and exciting cars on the road or track. The Exige is uncompromising to such a degree that it doesn't feel legal, even by exotic car standards.

Power for the Exige comes from a Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Lotus fitted unique intake and exhaust components, as well as a reworked engine controller, to broaden the engine's power band and push peak horsepower to 190 at 7,800 rpm. Torque peaks at 138 pound-feet at 6,800 rpm. Lotus claims a 0-to-100 time of just 4.9 seconds and a drag-limited top speed of 235 kph. Fuel economy, at 24 mpg city/29 mpg highway, is quite respectable. Underneath the dramatic body shell is a car built for no other purpose than to be driven hard and fast. The rear-wheel-drive sports coupe is lightweight and loud. It seats only two. Even the standard air-conditioning system can be deleted to reduce weight. With the Lotus Exige, it's all about minimizing weight. The body structure is made of aluminum. The trunk is small and there's not much additional storage space.

Because of its 1-ton curb weight, super-sticky tires and unassisted steering, the Exige is pretty much one of the most precise-handling cars available. No other car feels more eager to go where it's pointed.. On the move, the engine is tractable enough for low-speed work, but certainly the most grins come when the tacho is past 6,000 rpm. The brakes are simply phenomenal and provide fade-free performance in nearly every situation.

The Exige exists for those live-fast die-hard enthusiasts who don't give a crap about cupholders, sat-nav, luggage capacity, impact harshness, HVAC, NVH, ESP, XYZ, or any other nifty electro-mechanic nuisance with an obscure acronym.

It's like a hummingbird on four wheels. It's more of a quick car on a twisty road than a crazy fast car in a straight line. Since it was designed with a road course in mind, stopping and steering are just as important as acceleration. It's a car built to do everything well and there's probably nothing more satisfying to drive.