The Lotus Exige is a sports car made from 2000 until 2021. Originally a coupé version of the Elise roadster, since the Series 3 it has been the larger-engined model of the family, with a V6 in place of the Elise’s four. Exige is French for “demand”.
Lotus Exige at a glance
| Built | 2000–2021 |
|---|---|
| Origin | coupé version of the Lotus Elise |
| Series 1 engine | 1.8-litre Rover K-series VHPD, 177 hp |
| Series 1 track spec | 190 hp |
| Series 1 gearbox | five-speed manual |
| Series 1 performance | 0–60 mph in 4.7 seconds, 136 mph |
| Series 1 built | 604 |
| Series 2 engine | Toyota 2ZZ-GE 1.8, 190 hp |
| Series 2 downforce | about 45 kg at 100 mph |
| Series 2 weight | 914 kg |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Lotus Exige
The original Exige was launched in 2000 with a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre Rover K-series inline-four in VHPD tune, rated at 177 hp at 7,800 rpm, with a track-spec version of 190 hp. It had a five-speed manual gearbox, a claimed 136 mph top speed, 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
The first-generation bodywork was based on the Series 1 Elise of 1996–2000. The Exige added a non-removable hardtop, fastback kamm-tail rear bodywork with a tinted engine cover and a pylon-mounted rear wing, front air intakes (blanked on road cars) and a front splitter, with both clamshells widened for a wider track. It was built until 2001, with 604 examples made, and was not replaced until the Series 2 of 2004.
The Series 2 Exige of 2004 used a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre 16-valve Toyota/Yamaha 2ZZ-GE engine of 190 hp. Compared with the Series 2 Elise it had a front splitter, a fibreglass hardtop with roof scoop, a rear engine cover and a rear spoiler; the aerodynamic additions produced almost 45 kg of downforce at 100 mph against 5.9 kg in the Elise. The standard car weighed 914 kg, reached 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and 100 mph in 12.9 seconds, and topped out at 147 mph. In February 2005 Lotus announced 50 cars with a supercharged Toyota engine and 243 hp, badged 240R, available only in Lotus Sport yellow or black, with 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds and 155 mph.
The Exige S of February 2006 used a supercharged and intercooled 2ZZ-GE rated at 220 hp, weighing 933 kg and reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and 148 mph. The Exige Sport 240 of 2007 was limited to six cars for Australia, with 240 hp and 230 N·m from upgraded injectors and a new control unit, adjustable traction control with launch control, AP Racing and Brembo brakes, adjustable dampers, Yokohama A048 tyres and a steel roll hoop, and was the fastest Lotus sold in Australia at the time. Later Series 3 cars moved to a V6 and made the Exige the larger-engined member of the Elise family, and convertible versions of both models were offered.
Design and features
- Coupé Elise: a hardtop version of the roadster with its own bodywork.
- Rear wing and splitter: almost 45 kg of downforce at 100 mph in the Series 2.
- Rover and Toyota engines: the K-series VHPD, then the 2ZZ-GE.
- Supercharged versions: the 240R, the Exige S and the Sport 240.
- V6 Series 3: the larger-engined model of the family.
Lotus Exige versions
- Series 1 (2000–2001): K-series VHPD, 177 or 190 hp, 604 built.
- Series 2 (2004–2006): Toyota 2ZZ-GE, 190 hp.
- 240R (2005): supercharged, 243 hp, 50 cars in yellow or black.
- Exige S (2006): supercharged, 220 hp.
- Sport 240 (2007): 240 hp, six cars for Australia.
- Series 3: V6-engined version of the Elise family.
The Exige was based on the Lotus Elise, and the Lotus 2-Eleven used its supercharged engine. More cars are in the Lotus collection.
Sources
- Lotus Exige, English Wikipedia: series, engines, versions, specifications
