well, this is where the problem comes, where do you draw the line?

comfort vs. speed?

Radical would claim they drove an SR8 to Nurburgring, granted I would baulk at that, other end of the scale is a Boxter/Cayman/M3/etc. all better road cars, but compromised on track.

next question comes down to how do you rate a track car? if it's by pure laptime that's one thing, if it's about fun, that's another.

in the middle of all this are cars like MX5's, very cheap, very competent both as road cars and trackday toys.

this is what I think about the say 2010 Exige S and the 2012 Exige S.

The 2010 Exige is more a trackday-car, also made to be a road-car

and

The 2012 Exige (V6) is more a road-car, also made for trackdays.

something like that

so the V6 is a bit more (or better suited to be) road oriented and the 4-pot is a bit more track oriented I guess, each to their own.

Are you sure the Ginetta is slower? Although, I'm not sure if it's okay for long distances either.

Yup.

According to Autocar, testing a g40r:
"Ginetta claims a 0-60mph time of 5.8sec for the G40R, but with two occupants and a reasonable amount of fuel aboard, we were unable to better a 6.2sec time in one direction, and a 6.3sec average."

The g60's not yet tested, but predicts 4.9s to 60 (and a price of 68k +)

I read, re-read this topic several times, before I decided to log in
Saw a lot of discussion, arguing on this car. And Scuffers is right, how many did test it (including Scuffers).

Well that's where I just want to share my story. Started driving cars as a passion some time ago.
First with a road Porsche limo (which became boring once you drove some more hardcore cars, speaking for my own of course). Passed to an Exige 260cup (very nice ride, but a little underpowered (nm) on the big tracks), and now owning and driving a 997GT3RS MKI.

Two (or is it already three) weeks ago I got an offer to test the New Exige S, and because I loved it, had a second test some days later. So yes I had the change to test it twice and decided to sell my E AMG for this more hardcore but so much nicer Exige S.

Decided to keep the GT3RS too...... so here is my opininon, soon owning both "rivals":


The new Exige V6 test
After a long time talks, show off at shows, 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:
Disappointing 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 feel?

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 st.
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 (just check this forum) 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 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. Cup versions could 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 the search for its rails from where it has an unbelievable traction.
This new one is in between these two, even a little 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.
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 purist 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, …..).
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 is better than 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, but could be (very) close.
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 decided to buy one, order is signed. 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 perhaps just not at 100% but again would have to test it there !
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………………………

Sorry for my bad English, it isn’t my native language. Neither I gave this text a second read
Sorry for the guys who are only thinking from brand image only, I try to stay as objective as possible. I just like any brand if they make the right car.




Jokke Vlo

Ordered in chrome orange with some carbon (wrapped accents) all necessary packs (track pack) and a larger fuel tank....

nice write up, you are lucky in Belgie, the car is not that expensive as it is in the Netherlands with the extra BPM/Co2 tax.

Excellent write-up Jokke, thanks

Is the larger fuel tank being fitted at the factory or an upgrade after delivery?

Really looking forward to seeing it in Chrome Orange (y)

it's not carbon, it will be Kevlar based, and they don't stink if you treat them right.

It looks absolutely marvellous! It looks like that and goes like lotus. SPAFF