2008 Lotus Exige S Review
1 Sep, 2008
27 Comments 
What makes the Exige S PP so damn quick in a straight line, is the slippery close ratio gearbox. So closely spaced are the shifts that it feels more like a proper sequential racing box, but without the need for anything more than a gentle tap up or down.
I know the reasoning behind some sports cars switching to the turbocharger camp, but when you hear that sweet whine of the Magnuson/Eaton M62 supercharger as it starts spinning from the word go, you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Clutch pressure is slightly heavier than the Elise and it needs to be as this thing has launch control. Dial up the revs via a knob on the steering column, floor the throttle and dump the clutch and you’re gone!
There’s minimal wheel spin up to 10km/h and then traction control takes over the management rights. This is definitely not your average, annoyingly intrusive, traction control found aboard lesser cars. Even when selecting the maximum seven percent tyre slip at full throttle through some tight curves, intervention from the Lotus developed system, was barely perceptible.
Funny thing is though; the pedal set-up on the Exige was nowhere near as ‘heel and toe’ friendly as with baby brother, which was disappointing.
But again it’s partially the Lotus’s steering, which allows you to blast through bends at speeds that are downright immoral. It’s very heavy and very direct, so you will need quick hands to get the best out of this car.
Grip levels will leave you speechless, over and over again. It’s not that they are any better than the Elise, but its the mind blowing speed that the Exige S can carry through a tight corner, which will warp your senses and put the biggest smile on your face.
That’s not surprising, given the 42kg of proper balanced downforce created by the car’s aerodynamic package at 160km/h.
We can thank Colin Chapman again for inventing “ground effect” which meant that his Type 72 F1 car at the time could produce downforce without altering drag and was literally being pushed onto the surface with considerable force.
I’m not saying that the Exige S is oversteer proof, which would be nonsense. It’s just that you won’t be able go anywhere near that point, unless you are seriously loading up the right pedal, out of a corner, on a racetrack. Next time!
Like all the important bits on the Exige S PP, the brakes have been upgraded, more for the benefit of track work than real world commuting. That’s 308mm front discs with AP Racing four-piston calipers and uprated front and rear pads, while rear calipers are by Brembo.
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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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