RE: Lotus Exige S Roadster: Review

RE: Lotus Exige S Roadster: Review

Wednesday 3rd July 2013

Lotus Exige S Roadster: Review

Can an open top Exige out-run the supposed black clouds over Hethel? PH takes a drive



A full 14 years after the original Exige hit the racetrack, Lotus has decided to produce the first official open top version and in the process, the fastest Lotus convertible ever.

Good on track but this is where Exige rules
Good on track but this is where Exige rules
Visually it is instantly differentiated by the lack of front splitter and rear wing, which takes the racing edge away from the lines. In some ways I actually prefer the slightly purer shape and in no way does it lack presence.

The Roadster is designed with a more compliant chassis setup than its hardtop brother. Weight is down by a negligible 10kg to 1,166kg and the price remains at £52,900 plus OTR costs, although Lotus is expecting buyers to specify more options which will probably put all of that weight back in and bump the price appreciably.

Mmm, quilted
Premium and Premium Sport options with quilted leather or SuedeTex for the seats, sills, dash trim and the rest are offered along with various special paint options and 'luxuries' such as heated seats, air-con, parking sensors, cup holder...

The top speed is limited to 145mph as this was felt to be the limit of what was sensible with the roof in situ. As for straight line performance, 0-60mph is despatched in 3.8 seconds, while a 0-100mph time of just 8.5 seconds bears testament to the fact that Exige has the pace to play with the big boys. Power is the same as the coupe - 350hp@7,000rpm and torque 295lb ft at 4,500rpm.

Supercharged V6 not lacking in punch
Supercharged V6 not lacking in punch
The roof itself is an absolute doddle to remove, unclipping, rolling up and with the plastic 'bows' removed and stored inside the bundle, the whole lot fits easily in the boot behind the engine without robbing too much stowage.

It is still a bit of a clamber over that wide sill but much easier without the roof for taller drivers. And once you have slid down into the cockpit there's plenty of seat adjustment and you don't feel cramped, even two up.

Wriggle room
The tiny steering wheel is just right and the pedals are nicely placed and perfectly spaced for heel-toe work. The 3.5-litre V6 starts with a bark and sets the tone for the drive. The unassisted steering is pretty heavy at parking speeds but as soon as you are rolling it's fine.

And the steering is as wonderful as ever, the wheel writhing between your fingers, relaying a constant flow of feel and feedback. But it isn't nervy or twitchy, rather, it plugs you directly into the act of driving.

Steering feel? THIS is steering feel!
Steering feel? THIS is steering feel!
The extra compliance in the Roadster's suspension setup means that it rides beautifully and although you feel bumps and potholes, they don't crash through the cabin, nor do they deflect you from your cornering line. This is an easier - and arguably more pleasant - car to drive on the road than the coupe. In fact with the combination of accessible performance, suppleness and compact dimensions, I'd struggle to think of a rival that could match its cross-country pace.

At normal driving speeds wind roar isn't too much of a problem and my head was just about below the level where buffeting was uncomfortable.

Country air
A whiff of understeer set in through a few tight turns but the overwhelming sense was bags of grip and a nice flat, neutral stance. The linear delivery of the supercharged engine gives a muscular big capacity feel, a strong mid-range that means you don't have to stir the gearbox unless you want to. It's worth it though: the shift is good and there is a zingy top end surge awaiting you in the redline, matched by a creamy yowl from the exhaust

There are few things more joyful than driving a proper sports car along a challenging road. This kind of machine should be a sensory overload and lopping the roof panel off just adds to the sensation - the extra noise, the wind plucking at your barnet, the smell of freshly spread animal muck in a nearby field... Well, this is Norfolk.

Non-assisted steering a rarity these days
Non-assisted steering a rarity these days
The Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) system developed with Bosch has three modes on this test car: Tour, Sport and Off. Tour is for normal daily driving with maximum backup from the electronics. Sport sharpens up the throttle, backs off the systems, opens up the exhaust bypass valves at high rpm and increases the redline from 6,800rpm to 7,200rpm

Track and field
I really liked the ability to switch out of Sport and knock the exhaust back a bit - it was a bit boomy and resonant in town and sometimes that can get a bit wearing. Other times, of course, it's just the ticket!

If you opt for the Race pack, you get an extra Race mode that maximises the car's on-track performance from the ESP point of view and gives you a launch control system. Springs and dampers are also 15 per cent stiffer on this version. It wasn't available on the test cars and to be honest, I struggle to see the point. The Sport pack is nicely judged for road use and if you want a speedy get away it is perfectly attainable using the old fashioned technique.

Not sure how quilting equates with 'add lightness'
Not sure how quilting equates with 'add lightness'
We also had a chance to use the Hethel test track. On the circuit that tendency towards understeer is a little more prevalent. The engineers explain that the coupe has a distinctly pointier front end thanks to the slightly different suspension settings, the extra camber and the aero from the splitter. The hardtop is about 1.5 seconds a lap quicker, too, if that kind of thing is a priority.

With a chance to explore the handling envelope it is clear that the push can be factored out with a little lift ... or thoroughly overwhelmed with a dollop of power. The Roadster is happy to move around and feels quite benign, its grip levels always superbly communicated - although you always need to bear in mind that the steering does require a fair bit more heft than an assisted setup should you need to whip on a 'dab of oppo'.

Racer for the road
We were on the P Zero Corsa tyre but those who want maximum performance at the expense of wet weather ability can specify Pirelli's Trofeo offering for an extra £800 - although whether they give the full race experience of delaminations and blowouts we're not sure.

Slightly softer than coupe; looks toned down too
Slightly softer than coupe; looks toned down too
In the hands of senior vehicle dynamics engineer Darren Cockle, the full potential of the car was unleashed. Darren hit the kerbs harder than I ever would have dared and braked savagely and late. "I'm pretty sure you could surprise a few people with this on a track day. The brakes just keep going and going and although it is a little softer than the coupe it is also a little faster in a straight line. We have tried to keep the true character of the Exige in this car."

They have succeeded, too. But by softening a few edges, toning down the looks and going topless, they have added a new dimension and a whole heap of extra appeal to the package as well.

So there you have it. A grown up Elise? Oh, it's much more than that. Fast, fun and brilliant to drive on road and track, the Exige S Roadster offers the full sports car experience in a truly attractive package. Yes you can pick fault for ease of access, limited luggage space and the price but this really is a very special machine. Lotus has had some well-documented problems in recent time but while cars like this continue to roll of the production line, we should all be very grateful.


LOTUS EXIGE S ROADSTER
Engine:
3,456cc V6, supercharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power: 350hp@7,000rpm
Torque: 295lb ft @4,500rpm
0-62mph: 4.0sec
Top speed: 145mph (limited)
Weight: 1,166kg
MPG: 28.0
CO2: 236g/km
Price: £53,850 (OTR)





   
   
   
   
Author
Discussion

chickensoup

Original Poster:

469 posts

254 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
What was the ticket price "as driven"

kazino

1,580 posts

217 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Awesome machine gone topless, would have been nice if they had done it with the Evora.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Perhaps the first thing to come onto the market that could tempt me away from my Elise.

Not that I have a hope of justifying the price of one of these until depreciation has done its wonderful thing for a few years. smile

NigelCayless

201 posts

154 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Sounds great from the review but will people buy one?

Bolltrollox

3 posts

136 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Surely an Exige roadster is an Elise ?

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Bolltrollox said:
Surely an Exige roadster is an Elise ?
Never, ever, assume there is logic or consistency to Lotus' naming conventions.

These days it seems that Exige=V6, Elise=I4.

Captain Muppet

8,540 posts

264 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
kambites said:
Bolltrollox said:
Surely an Exige roadster is an Elise ?
Never, ever, assume there is logic or consistency to Lotus' naming conventions.

These days it seems that Exige=V6, Elise=I4.
BMW do a 4 door version of the 6-series which is the 2 door version of the 4 door 5 series.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Captain Muppet said:
BMW do a 4 door version of the 6-series which is the 2 door version of the 4 door 5 series.
Indeed, the idiocy is hardly unique to Lotus. hehe

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Lotus soo needed to get this car on sale - it's great to see it out there at last, without the Halfords rear wing and with a soft top of sorts. (The roof of the coupe version is also removable; it unbolts)

Potential buyers need to pay attention to ease of access and rear visibility - or lack of.

This is IMO the first saleable larger car from Lotus since Esprit was canned nearly a decade ago.

Dracoro

8,661 posts

244 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Bolltrollox said:
Surely an Exige roadster is an Elise ?
I'm still waiting for Porsche to bring out a Cayman convertible.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
kazino said:
Awesome machine gone topless, would have been nice if they had done it with the Evora.
Very true, but I don't think they could do it at the right price. With this Evora/Exige mongrel they've managed to keep the price down to Boxster S levels. A pure Evora convertible would have been at least £10,000 more expensive.

TameRacingDriver

18,048 posts

271 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Love it. Dream car material right there. Shame I'll never afford one.

TameRacingDriver

18,048 posts

271 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
[redacted]

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
It's a very different drive from Elise. Absolute rocket-ship! One of the quickest cars I've ever driven. Truly savage acceleration.

swanny71

2,849 posts

208 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Lovely and the only thing I could imagine swapping my Chimaera for (in about 10 years time and £30k of depreciation)

toppstuff

13,698 posts

246 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
I like that a lot.

Will it fit tall people? Like 6'5 and size 13 shoes tall people?

Too many cars are built for little people.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
toppstuff said:
I like that a lot.

Will it fit tall people? Like 6'5 and size 13 shoes tall people?

Too many cars are built for little people.
The interior dimensions are much the same as the Elise, which basically means "it depends". I know people taller than you who own Elises but if you're that tall you have to be the perfect shape in order to fit.

98elise

26,376 posts

160 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
kambites said:
Bolltrollox said:
Surely an Exige roadster is an Elise ?
Never, ever, assume there is logic or consistency to Lotus' naming conventions.

These days it seems that Exige=V6, Elise=I4.
The Exige is noticably bigger now. Its always had a wider body, but its quite a bit longer now as well.

Davey S2

13,075 posts

253 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
Lovely but at £55K it's mad money for what started out as a weekend summer car.

RichwiththeS2000

443 posts

133 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
quotequote all
That looks amazing. I prefer the smoother lines actually, will try and buy one in a few years maybe smile