CarAdvice Garage: Lotus Elise S Exige S

By Alborz Fallah | June 25th, 2008

If you’re wondering where we’ve all been the last few days, the answer is simple. We have been blessed with two of the hottest cars on the planet, the Lotus Elise S and the Lotus Exige S with Performance pack.

We’ve spent the last 48 hours videoing and driving the best that Lotus has to offer around mountain roads in Sydney.

The Lotus Elise S is powered by a 1.8-litre Toyota engine and puts out 100 kW and 172 Nm and goes from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds , meanwhile the car which became the centre of a heated argument, the Lotus Exige S, comes with a supercharger for good measure, which brings the specs up to 179.5 kW and 230 Nm. The dash to 100km/h is also reduced to just 4.1 seconds.

Expect a full written review of both cars soon plus a video review of our favourite, the Lotus Exige S, or as we like to call it, the little green monster.

Mitch

Awesome cars, love them
KC

100Kw and 6.1 Seconds. Wow. lol.

How much is an Exige S by the way? For 4.3 seconds 0-100? I’ve found that not even their incredible handling is worth their costs. They seem to be incredibly overpriced.
Mitch

115k, but i doubt you can find anything else that accelerates faster for the money
Technofreak

…droolz.
http://www.caradvice.com.au Anthony

KC – you seem a little misguided in your thoughts about the value of the Exige S with Performance Pack (the car we drove) which in fact delivers 0-100 in just 4.16 seconds. Very quick, but nothing, not even close, to how this car can dissect a corner. It is simply awe inspiring to experience how this thing carries speed through bends.

As for price, its an absolute steal when you consider it is half the cost of a Porsche GT3 which some say, is slower than the Lotus on a tight track.
KC

Anthony, I understand just how well a Lotus Elise/Exige corners, but You\’re going to be annoying the hell out of your track day mates when you get to a straight and they pass you again.
No Name

I remember attempting to follow an Elise a few years back through some country lanes here in the UK. Now i’m not frightened of speeding but the little Lotus had gone there was no way I could even get close.
However they are getting pricey considering carpets are extra.
Tom

Anthony, i think its great that you come and reply to comments about the articles.

It really creates a sense that the site interacts with, and listens to its readers.

Awesome cars too.
http://www.caradvice.com.au Anthony

KC – with acceleration at close to 4.0 seconds and 0-160 in just 9.9 and a top speed of near 250km/h, it will need to be a track such as Bathurst or “the ring” before my mates pass me on the track.

And just for the record, the Exige S PP will outbrake the GT3 all day long with a massive weight advantage, coupled with downforce and superior grip levels. And that my friend, is with not so wide 225′s down the back.

With the extra $150K in my pocket against the GT3 (production has just ended on that model) I might just head down to my local BMW dealership and do a fast deal on new M3. Beat that my dear friend. That’s two cars for the price of one! GOLD
Marketmaker

Anthony – you’re a legend. We ALL want your job.
Getting an actual salary to go with it would just be icing on the cake.