Think the Lotus Elise is pure? Then wait until you get a load of the new Exige, the fixed-top variant of the Elise that Lotus introduced earlier this year. Everything good about the Elise remains in the Exige, including Toyota’s 2ZZ-GE 1.8-liter inline-4 that puts out 190 bhp at 7800 rpm. (Unfortunately, there are no engine tweaks; however, rumor has it that there may be some on the way, but more on this later.)

What separates the Exige from the Elise? Handling and high-speed stability.




Lotus incorporated stiffer shocks and springs for the Exige, giving the lightweight sports car even better balance through corners. Body roll is hardly perceptible with the revised tuning, though you’re in for a teeth-chipping experience over rough driving surfaces. Turn-in is exceptionally crisp, and while understeer still exists through the tight stuff, you’ll find that Lotus dialed much of it out, compared to the base car.

The Exige’s body kit doesn’t merely spice up the car’s looks, it helps provide all kinds of downforce at high speed. For example, the new bodywork, which includes the roof and radical rear wing, generates more than 90 lb. of additional downforce at 100 mph. And although the Exige is a tad lighter (1930 lb.) than the Elise, 0–60-mph times remain the same at 4.8 seconds, because of the extra downforce.

There are no plans for a U.S.-spec Exige now, but it’s safe to say there will be a high-performance entry from Lotus in the next year or two. A supercharged or turbocharged Elise is a distinct possibility; we hear that some Lotus engineers are trying to squeeze 250 bhp out of Toyota’s inline-4. If and when that car arrives, you can bet that Speed will be the first in line to drive it.

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