Review: Lotus Series III Exige (2013-21)

Overview

Released in April 2013, the Lotus Series III Exige S was initially available as mid-engined coupe, with roadster models following in early 2014. Manufactured in Hethel, England, the rear-wheel drive Exige S was powered by a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine that was initially mated to a six-speed manual transmission; six-speed automatic transmissions, however, were available from 2015.

Supercharged 2GR-FE engine

Shared with the Lotus Evora , the Exige S was powered by Toyota’s all-alloy 2GR-FE 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine which featured a Harrop HTV 1320 supercharger (with Eaton Twin Vortex compressors), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable intake and exhaust valve timing (Toyota’s ‘dual VVT-I’). Although sourced from Toyota, the engine was tuned by Lotus and had unique ‘T6e’ engine management software.

The Exige S could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and had a top speed of 274 km/h.

Dimensions

Like the Lotus Series II Exige , the Series III Exige S had an extruded and bonded aluminium chassis with composite body panels. Compared to its predecessor, however, the Exige S was 299 mm longer (at 4084 mm), 83 mm wider (1802 mm), 14 mm lower (1129 mm) and had a 70 mm longer wheelbase (2370 mm). Furthermore, unladen mass was 1776 kg and the Exige S had a drag coefficient of 0.43 Cd.

Suspension

The Series III Exige S had fully independent, double wishbone suspension front and rear with anti-roll bars, Bilstein monotube gas dampers and Eibach coaxial coil springs.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Exige S included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control and traction control (Lotus’ ‘Dynamic Performance Management’), cornering brake control and front seatbelt pretensioners. The Dynamic Performance Management system had four selectable settings – Tour, Sport, Race and Off – which adjusted peak engine speed, the engine protection valve strategy and the stability control settings.

Brakes

The Exige S was fitted with an AP Racing braking package which included ventilated and cross-drilled 350 mm front and 332 mm rear cast-iron brake discs and twin-piston calipers front and rear.

Features: Exige S

Standard features for the Exige S included 17-inch 205/45 R17 front and 18-inch 265/35 R18 rear tyres with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres, a four speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility and USB input, air conditioning, ProBax sports seats, daytime LED running lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever knob, remote central locking, power windows, a 12 volt power outlet, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Exige S was also fitted with a Bosch electronic differential lock (EDL).

Brochure

• Brochure: Lotus Series III Exige S (January 2014)

Related links

• Lotus Australia: Lotus Exige S
• Lotus Australia: Lotus Exige S Roadster
• Wikipedia.org: Lotus Series III Exige