Lotus Exige S

original version of the V6-engined generation (Exige S V6)

350 ch · 3.8 s (0-100) · 274 km/h · 2012

Identification

Body / seats

coupé (and roadster) 2 seats, strict two-seater; compact track-homologated road car

Design / styling centre

Lotus Design (Hethel)

Assembly

Hethel, Norfolk (England)

Production

series production · first Exige to receive the V6 (earlier cars were 4-cylinder units) · coupé and roadster variants

⚠️ Identification notice. « Exige V6 » refers to the Series 3 generation with supercharged V6 (2012–2021), which must not be confused with earlier Exige models with 4 cylinders: Exige S1 (2000–2001, 1,8 L Rover K) and Exige S2 (2004–2011, 1,8 L Toyota 2ZZ). This data sheet takes the Exige S V6 (2012) as its reference; the V6 variant tree (Sport 350/380/410, Cup 380/430, Final Editions) is detailed in section 10 — a dedicated sheet is available on request.

Powertrain

Engine

Toyota 2GR-FE, V6 at 60°, 3 456 cc, supercharged (compressor + intercooler)

Bore × stroke

94 × 83 mm (2GR-FE) (à confirmer)

Power

350 hp (257 kW) @ ~7 000 rpm (≈ 345 bhp)

Torque

400 Nm @ ~4 500 rpm

Redline

≈ 7 000 rpm (à confirmer)

Compression ratio

≈ 10,2:1 (naturally aspirated base block) in supercharged form (à confirmer)

Fuel system

multipoint injection + positive-displacement supercharger (Harrop/Edelbrock depending on model year)

Valvetrain

DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder, variable valve timing (VVT-i)

Forced induction

supercharger

Lubrication

wet sump (à confirmer)

Layout

mid-mounted, transverse rear

Engine distinctions

Toyota block renowned for reliability, adapted and supercharged by Lotus (« Hethel V6 »)

Transmission

Gearbox

6-speed manual (open exposed gate); 6-speed automatic offered from 2015

Architecture

transverse mid-engine

Differential

Torsen limited-slip differential (depending on variant)

Driven wheels

rear-wheel drive

Associated systems

engine management modes (depending on variant); launch control (later variants)

Performance

0–100 km/h

≈ 3,8 s (0–60 mph: 3,8 s; some recorded figures 3,7 s)

0–200 km/h

n/a (n.c.)

Top speed

≈ 274 km/h (170 mph) (some sources quote ~300 km/h — disregarded, unverified figure)

Reference circuit

Hethel (family reference: Sport 350 ≈ 1'29"8; Cup 430 under 1'25")

Chassis & suspension

Chassis / materials

extruded and bonded aluminium tub (Lotus hallmark) + composite panels

Rigidity

n/a (n.c.)

Front/rear suspension

double wishbones, Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs (specification varies by variant)

Steering

rack and pinion, unassisted (Lotus hallmark)

Braking

ventilated discs (AP Racing / Brembo), ≈ 350 mm front; ABS

Front/rear tyres

205/45 R17 / 265/35 R18 (Exige S — specification evolves by variant)

Front/rear wheels

17″ / 18″

Aerodynamics

Cd

0,433

Downforce

significant (splitter, diffuser, wing) — quoted figure n/a (substantially increased on Sport 380/Cup)

Devices

front splitter, rear diffuser, rear wing; extended carbon on higher variants

Methodology

n/a (n.c.)

Dimensions, weight & capacities

L × W × H

≈ 4 052 × 1 802 × 1 153 mm (width excluding mirrors) — ≈ +25 cm longer and +5 cm wider than the 4-cylinder Exige (to accommodate the V6)

Wheelbase

≈ 2 370 mm · Front/rear track: n/a (à confirmer)

Ground clearance

very low (track car) · Overhangs: n/a

Dry weight

≈ 1 080 kg · Kerb weight: ≈ 1 176 kg (à confirmer)

Weight distribution

rear-biased (precise figure n/a)

Centre of gravity

low (figure n/a)

Fuel tank

≈ 40 L · Boot: minimal

Power-to-weight ratio ≈ 3,1 kg/hp (dry); family reference (increasing lightness): Cup 430 ≈ 1 056 kg.

Electronics & dynamics

Dynamic controls

defeatable ESP/TCS, ABS; modes (by variant and model year: Drive/Sport/Race/Off)

Drive modes

selector depending on variant (Sport, Race…)

ECU architecture

dedicated Lotus engine management

Fuel consumption & emissions

Fuel consumption

≈ 10 L/100 km (combined cycle)

CO₂

≈ 235 g/km (à confirmer)

Standard

Euro 5 / Euro 6 depending on model year

Lineage & positioning

Replaces

Exige S2 (4-cylinder, 2004–2011) in the range

Replaced by

the line ends in 2021; its spirit is carried on by the Lotus Emira (2021–, which notably retains this supercharged V6)

Key rivals

Porsche 718 Cayman (GT4), Alpine A110, Chevrolet Corvette, Ariel Atom (track)

Not to be confused with (V6 variant tree, 2012–2021): Exige S / S Roadster (2012) — 350 hp (reference for this sheet) Exige V6 Cup / Cup R (2013) — track versions (limited run ~50) Exige 360 Cup (2015) — 355 hp, 50 examples Exige Sport 350 (2015) — 350 hp, lightened (replaces the Exige S) Exige Sport 380 / Cup 380 (2016) — 380 hp, increased downforce Exige Sport 410 (2018) — 416 hp (≈ 410 bhp) Exige Cup 430 (2017) — 436 hp (≈ 430 bhp), the fastest, ongoing production Final Editions (2021) — Sport 390 (402 hp), Sport 420 (426 hp), Cup 430 Final Edition → Also not to be confused with the 4-cylinder Exige S1/S2 (entirely different powertrains)

Collectability & valuation

Rarity

variants vary considerably; Cup 380, Cup 430, 360 Cup and Final Editions (limited runs) are the most sought-after

Desirability

last 'pure' Lotus sports car of the Elise/Exige era; powerful and reliable supercharged V6; Final Editions 2021 (closing 21 years of production) highly prized; low kerb weight, unassisted steering

Points to watch

difficult ingress and challenging daily usability (radical car); condition of clutch and supercharger; track history (wear); original specification and carbon options; rising market for late limited-run variants

Valuation

on request (price range + comparables + sources + date; significant spread S/Sport 350 vs Cup 430/Final Editions)

Lotus Exige S

Coût d'immatriculation de ce véhicule

Fiche technique publiée sur Luxydrive — véhicules d'exception, de collection et de sport.