2008 Lotus Exige S Review
1 Sep, 2008
27 Comments 
I’ve haven’t driven the standard Exige S, so I won’t be able to compare the two, in this test. But I have driven the Elise S, and although both cars are essentially from the same family, this is a massive step up. Power skyrockets from 100kW to 179kW and torque rises from 172Nm to 230Nm.
Even when comparing the Exige S Performance Pack with the standard Exige S (162kW and 215Nm) that seemingly small increase in output, must be considered substantial, given the car’s anorexic 935kg weight.
That extra mumbo is enough to shave another 0.2 seconds off the 0-100km/h sprint time, bringing it down to 4.13 seconds. Then there’s the real ‘bling’ number, 0-160km/h in 9.9 seconds!
Let me add some perspective to that. Faster than a Porsche Carrera S, Audi R8, Mercedes AMG C63 and that’s on a straight stretch of road, but come upon a few nicely cambered bends, and the German lads won’t know what hit them.
This is a car that has no problems mixing it up with a Yamaha R1, even in the hands of an experienced pilot. At least for the first few seconds from a standing start, where the bike has difficulty putting the power down, and on the twisty bits, it’s the Lotus that’s takes care of business.
You will need to ring its neck up to 8000rpm to exploit peak power and there’s also plenty of torque available through the first four gears. Fifth and sixth are more over-drive ratios in my book although, they still pull.
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September 1st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Very impressive car
I’m still amazed it can use a claimed 9.1L when it only weighs 935kg, yet a 1600kg Aurion with even more power, will only use a claimed 9.9L.
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September 1st, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Tom, it is seriously impressive. Redline is 8000rpm so you will go through some fuel when you’re on the right pedal. Not sure you would ever see 9.1L/100km in an Aurion, at least in the real world.
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September 1st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
That would be my next mid-life crisis affordable car =)
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September 1st, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Cracker Barrel ponders as to how much he can get for his liver :)
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September 1st, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Awesome sports car. Lightweight and razor sharp. Just wish they would do something about those horrid dials. They just don’t sit well with the rest of the interiors theme of Spartan racer.
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September 1st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Can you take the lid off or am I just seeing the rear boot lines?
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September 1st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
yes, but does it come in any other colours!?!?
Seriously! That lime-green just kills it. Amazing piece of engineering. Thank goodness dreaming is free.
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September 1st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
There is a heap of colours available for the Exige S.
British Racing Green
Ardent Red
Canyon Red
Solar Yellow
Arctic Silver
Storm Titanium
Starlight Black
Persian Blue
Liquid Blue
Chrome Orange
Aspen White
Graphite Grey
Phantom Black
Laser Blue
Prism Green
Candy Red
Moonstone Silver
Ice White
Burnt Orange
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September 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
9,1L is achievable easy in an Aurion. Given the performance of this car the fuel consumption is incredibly light. Can any faster car use less fuel?
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September 2nd, 2008 at 10:24 am
Just looked closer at the review. OMG 125k plus on roads (another 10k) for a fibreglass Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious! You have to be kidding.
Thats porsche money for god’s sake.
(dons flame proof pants)
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September 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
DanMan, I agree with you on the fuel econ question but not with your appraisal of the Aurion. If you drive an Aurion with a sports mindset - you will use a lot more than 9.1L/100km. I guarantee it.
A Porsche Carrera S would not have a hope in hell of keeping up with the Lotus Exige S PP on a tight twisty section. Not sure about the Cayman S, as we have not road tested it.
At $114,000 for the Exige S capable of 0-100km/h in 4.3 secs and all the other benefits - I can’t see a problem or a competitor.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
AC,
The zr6 I had for two weeks was soundly thrashed from Aspley in Brisbane to the sunshine coast daily and returned a combined figure of 10.2 Litres per hundred. Not bad.
The Carrera s Has actual metal in its consrtuction and 4 seats. Build quality some of the best in the world.
This is new or demo boxster money. just sayin..
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September 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 am
each to their own i say, i drove a cayman S recently, was astounded that it’s more comfortable than my Golf GTI and it drove like a go kart around corners. Can only imagine how good the Exige S would be…
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September 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
Danman- the Aurion is amoung my most preferred everyday haulers and the Sportivo sx6 will defantly (not questions asked) be my next car but i cannot see how a seriuosly thrashed unit would only return 10.2 ltrs
I have querried (spelling) several Aurion owners about highway and general fuel consumption and all of them have been happy but consumption on any car goes out the window when thrashed.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
Anthony - with regards to the Toyota engine used in the Lotus … is it supercharged / enhanced by Toyota and then supplied to Lotus or does Lotus recieve a bare-bones package and so the mods themselves !!
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September 2nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
The long (45klm) cruise on the Bruce highway at 110 (no faster, honestly, Lol) really helps. That six speed box is sweet.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
The drivetrain package in the Aurion is sweet but so is the one in the FG Falcon. Both of them are far more refined and usable (power)then the alloytech in the Commodore. Haven’t driven a new Accord yet so not able to comment but i image it will be very good.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Accord is also supposed to have a very good engine/driveline. I was surprised it was so average on fuel consumption though with the cylinder shutdown.
Sounds like the S/C Toyota engine is a very good match with the Lotus’ chassis/mass.
Like most people, out of my price range :-(
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September 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
DanMan, Tesla roadster would use less fuel and is probably quicker.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
The tesla would use NO fuel as i understand. Good point Mitch. They will never be sold here, but. Or actually sold at all. (unless you live in hollywood).
Speaking of which, what is the range on the Exige? about 200 klms? 300? That makes it pretty slow average time per trip if you always have to stop to fill up. just saying.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
My understanding is that the compete engine is supplied to Lotus as is and they do the engine mapping! Hence, the obvious reliability
At the end of the day guys, you buy a Lotus Exige S PP as a track car if you have a few bucks. If you are on struggle street like me, you scrap up enough and have a blast with an Elise S for $69K.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Exige has 44L fuel tank danman I think, which is good for at least 500kms I’d say.
This is an awesome car, but I’ve never been a fan of the front end styling, those spider eye lights are weird!!!
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September 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
How did an Exige article end up with people comparing an Aurion….?
The Exige has two competitors that spring to my mind. The Elfin Streamliner and the Caterham 7.
How ’bout a comparo of the three?
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September 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Can you get the Ariel atom in Australia? Sure it might not have a roof, but I reckon that would run rings around the Exige for similar money. But I guess the point of the Exige is that its not a trackday car, but a normal car (sort of) that can go like one.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I remember Clarkson comparing this on top gear (against an apache gunship!)and he said the range was 200 miles..
Good call on the atom. they do sell in Australia. (one on Carsales anyway) and THAT would be at least unique and honest with itself.
Dont get me wrong, the EXIGE ticks every box for me but the money, sweet jesus, the MONEY.
Aurion? something about fuel economy. My bad…
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September 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
It is a Lotus engineered supercharger added to the Toyota motor.
As an alternative you could get a KTM x-bow.
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September 13th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I was looking in the window of the Lotus showroom in London and was actually pleasantly surprised by the price of the whole range. Then I checked the prices on the Lotus Australia website and the differnce is massive! The exchange rate would have to shift an awful lot for this to add up……has anyone noticed this with other manufacturers, just curious.
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