You mean like Porsche once sourced their mighty engine for 356 from the VW beetle, that later became the 911 engine or like today when Porsche uses VW engine in the Cayenne diesel. Another car maker you wouldn't like then I guess is Pagani as they uses an AMG engine.

I do not think that you can fault a small volume car manufacturer today for sourcing parts from other car makers, especially if they choose a reliable engine. I think British car makers have realized that using unreliable in house developed parts didn't work out for them that well. Think British Leyland . The cost of developing your own engine today with all emission regulations is just far too costly for the volumes Lotus is producing.

 

exige beter than a gt3 lol



you should have picked on the cayman r and even that would be false

 

Well I have to say, the reactions on this thread have surprised and disappointed me. I would've expected a more mature response from TS.

I'm aware that making the statement I did on TS was always going to ruffle some feathers but I'm still surprised by the absolute single mindedness of some posters who haven't even driven the car.

But I enjoy reviewing cars, thanks again to those who enjoyed reading it and said so, I will continue to do it and will never hold back my opinions.

For what it's worth, I'd take the new Boxster over an Elise, and certainly the 991 over an Evora S.

But this Exige, trust me, it's just so so good...

 

Hi,

Looks great to me, I'd be more than happy to call it my own!

Thanks for the great review.

Cheers,
Nik

 

I don't agree on this I have a GT3RS, mainly used for trackdays en decided, after a test to buy an Exige S V6.

The GT3RS will not leave my home so will have both cars. Honestly.... I have to say Tim's review is very very close to mine.
Just test the car before making any conclusion, it could suprise you !

For road use it IS the better car over the GT3, on track: have to see........

Pls find my review (sorry my native language isn't English ).


The new Exige V6 tested
After a long time of waiting, it seems, the new Lotus Exige V6, unbelievable but true, will be produced.
So….together with some other car lovers I had the chance to drive this car even twice !

Exterior:
I saw the car already several times on car shows and I was never really “impressed”. But ok seeing a car in the wild (where it belongs) or at a show. It sometimes is totally different. I remember de Jaguar XKR-S, fantastic at the shows. A little disappointed in the real world……
The Exige V6 that is the car we are looking at. In my opinion it looks fantastic for ¾ of it. Front very aggressive and sportive, beautiful lines from the side but an ugly “butt”.
You are looking for an exclusive car ? For this price you won’t find it better. (The number 7823 Boxster is not exclusive )
Compared to the previous model it is no longer a baby car, but a 16-18 year old, nearly grown up.

Interior:
Disapointing here………..no change for the cockpit, not at all. The steering wheel still too low and not adjustable, the roof still some cm to low which influences your look on the road and it is still best to measure below 1m85 to be able to sit convenient in it.
The assembly and finishing looks much better, hopefully also in production.
This car drove already some days and just came from Le Mans where some hundred people get in and out. Have to say, no windows making noise, neither the dashboard…..
There have been other times with Lotus 

Engine:
I won’t write about the technical specification, just visit the website for this
I want to talk about the engine and the music it makes, in this years of vacuum cleaner sounds (thank you Mr. Turbo).
Also here the baby has grown up. The sound of the V6 is as it has to be. A little raw without the big ‘wauw’.
Not enerving for the non car lover and for all other people, just good. Happy about this even I prefer a little more “bass” in the sound.
Compared to the previous level the sound is like day and night !
Also in the cockpit the balance between tranquility and noise is perfect. You can now TALK in the Exige with a nice sound in the background. Why do they put a radio in this car with this beautiful sound in your back? The placement of the compressor moved to the back so that heavy sometimes irritating compressor noise is banned for now.

But how does the engine feele?
The previous model was nervous on the gas but it really got his push when the compressor started jiggling. From her on all comparison with the previous model has to stop.
The gas response, the torque it has for this 1200kg, it is just GREAT ! I think I can compare, as GT3 owner, the response on the gas is just impressive. Even it is the same engine, you nearly can’t believe it is the same ones as the (+/-250kg) heavier Evora S.
And even with compressor, you don’t feel it is there, the engine goes up to 7000rpm in a very linear way, again impressive.
It really feels like an atmo engine, what a difference with the turbo shit.
The only negative point here is that it stops at 7500rpm, where f.ex a similar cc motor of 3.6 as in the Porsche keeps going until 8500rpm. This could be a disadvantage when visiting the fast tracks.
For my feeling this engine has really some more potential. 8000/8500 rpm and 400hp has to be possible on a safe base.
If I dream a little further I won’t be surprised this Exige S really gets what he deserves in the near future. A 400hp engine with some more revs would make it a real bullet !
Anyway this engine feels as a perfect marriage.
Even the gearbox is giving a better feel (with a “click” when putting in the gear you want) I won’t be surprised this will continue to be a weak point ! This work has and can be done better.

On the road:
For a lot of Lotus fans and even Lotus Hethel this German GT3 is the so called benchmark, even they sometimes try to say it is the Cayman R
Forgive me that (as I am a GT3 driver) I will do the same and make some comparison 
First thing I remarked: this Exige S is LOT more compliant for road use. Suspension is less track minded, even it communicates the surface in a perfect way. I can be very short on this, it gets 10/10
Saying this it seems obvious it is less track minded. Even I couldn’t test it on track I am pretty sure I am right. Hopefully cup versions will just turn this upside down……
The “old” Exige, for my feel was riding on the surface, tricky when pushing “balancing between under and oversteer.
The GT3 feels like it is digging in the road and searches for its rails from where it has an unbelievable traction.
This new one is in between these two, even a litte more towards the GT3. Yes you can call this a baby GT3, and I mean this positive as this baby GT3 is more compliant for road use. On track I think the real one will be better (but NOT sure !).
The intelligent esp with his 4 mods (road, sport, track, pure) gives and extra safety. We tried to give it some work in sport modus and yes it immediately corrected (very early yet) which give a safe feel, could be interesting with all this slippery and wet roads, yes also for the pure track rider………when riding on legal road.
Next to this it makes the Exige really more accessible for everyone. I now recommend it to drive for anyone, which wasn’t possible in the past.
Also for this beginning track driver, he can use this intelligent esp to grow together with his skills.
For the purists under us (I am sometimes) just shut up with critics ! There is that mode nr 4 where you get what you want and please be happy that real nice sports cars are now open for everyone !
The heavier weight is not a disadvantage, even an advantage. The heavier Engine just gives this extra weight to the back which is necessary for a better traction at high speed corners. The car just feels much more confident in this ones ! Again this feels as a baby GT3 and again in a positive way !
It’s a pity I couldn’t test it on track but from my feel I would say it will be a real GT3 challenger on the smaller tracks (Ecuyers, Abbeville, Zolder) but it still won’t be on the fast ones (Silverstone, Spa, …..). Curious about the Nordschleife however

Give us this 400hp engine and we could think different


Conclusion
This car has potential, when driving it is a TOTALLY different car however looks are still similar. Really totally different !
You are a hardcore car lover? You want some racecar “feel” on road use and you like to pick a few trackdays ever year?
I am sorry but you only have one choice. Not ONE single car I know comes close to the niche where this car is positioned.
Cayman R, Boxster, GT-R, whatever……these are not competition if you look for the above car. These others feels like a limo with a sort of steering wheel in it.
For road use this package just is better then a GT3, I can’t make a bigger compliment. You look for a trackcar, sorry then my feeling (has still to prove it) says the GT3 wins.
As Evo magazine said you can call the Exige a moral winner.
Hey but guys in Hethel don’t be too proud, you still have to work on the car into more detail and perfection. Pls read the critics too

To myself:
I think I will order one. My GT3 stays here as tracktoy. Can’t underline more the conclusion of my test. Even we don’t look for the price. Untill a +/- 150.000 euro range this package is better than any other sports car imo. As a tracktoy it is just not at 100% pls work on it !
You are open to cut all stupid comfort in your car? We don’t look at that? Ok, then this is the best road car I ever drove.
The exclusive looks are for free……………………… and yes I am a Porsche driver !

Sorry for my bad English, it isn’t my native language. Neither I gave this text a second read

Photoshop of the car I would order:





Jokke Vlo

 

Yes!! Thanks for posting that up Jokke - hopefully that will quiet some of the more vocal people on this thread!

Liked your review too, thanks again.

Oh, and you know you can configure your car, albeit in basic terms, on the Lotus website?

http://configurator.lotuscars.com/exige-s

 

Hi,

Apart from the boy's club responses, this thread is truly why I love TeamSpeed. I can have a slight insight into all these amazing cars through people that actually know what they are talking about.

I'll have a blue one... please?

Cheers,
Nik

 

Car is ordered. Chrome orange, you won't find on the configurator, but it is possible. Car will look as on photoshop. I didn't intend to buy but couldn't resist. This is a real driverscar.....

 

now theres a more balanced review, thanks jokee,

iv driven the previous exige s many times, and tracked an exige cup, and i do agre they do feel like mini gt3s, most memorable was their braking, i also understand how they could offer more driven on public roads, i get more thrills driving my evo around town than the gt3, the power is more accessible and easier to play around with, while in the rs i keep loosing traction on street tarmac way before the fun starts




why want us silenced, its a forum after all, if we stayed quiet this review wouldnt have made it to a second page

 

So I havent joined this thread because, well quite honestly it looked like a stoppie train wreck.....low and behold 40 something posts later it is. I for one do like the new exige and would love to have one in the stable. Unfortunately none will be coming to the USA as well I kind of agree that the interior is a bit spartan. I would love to drive one to make an informed decision but I know that will never happen. Also I enjoy reading other peoples reviews on here. Especially those from the people that truly own and drive these types of cars.