Lotus Exige V6 Roadster | PH Auction Block

Open like an Elise, with supercharged V6 performance - the best of both Lotus worlds?

It’s now 15 years since the third (and final) Lotus Exige was shown to the world at the Frankfurt show. Plenty had changed, the S3 now a substantially larger road racer with a substantially larger engine: the switch from a 1.8-litre Toyota engine to a 3.5-litre one meant 350hp from the off, where no four-cylinder car ever mustered more than 260hp. The Dynamic Performance Management brought a whole new level of electronic sophistication, and there was even an automatic option. Series 3 was much more than a minor refresh, even if it did retain so many Lotus traits.

What the Series 3 Exige will probably be remembered most for, however, is the sheer number of variants offered. This was the Gales-era tactic, continuing to churn out changes so that Lotus was never far from headlines. So there were Cup editions - V6, 360, 380, 430 - Sport Editions - 350, 380, 390, 410, 420 - the LF1, the Type 25, the Final Editions. Yes, really. Even when Gales departed, the Exige evolution never did.

Yet one variant that seems to go almost forgotten is the Exige Roadster, which followed the Coupe in 2013. It was another first for the model line, actually lighter than the standard car thanks to removing the rear wing (and without any structural stiffening being required). It was received very well; PH drove this very one 13 years ago and described it as ‘fast, fun and brilliant to drive on road and track.’ Yet HowManyLeft has just 30 registered on UK roads; maybe Exige customers craved the racy vibe of a roof, and those after a convertible Lotus were happy with an Elise. Whatever, it makes for a really rare modern classic a few years down the line.

An attractive one, too, the Exige really nailing the junior supercar aesthetic in Roadster form. As is always the case, it’s maybe not the most convincing with the canvas on; but stowed away, and with the blue over tan on full show, it looks genuinely exotic. Once again, the rarity will contribute to that impression. And while the Roadster was slightly softer in setup than an Exige S, a 350hp, 1,100kg Lotus sports car is still going to provide a thrill like little else. You just know that famously rowdy V6 will sound even better with the roof off.

This auction car is the only Exige Roadster of any kind on PH at the time of writing (told you they were rare); since that 15 minutes of fame in the feature box, it’s driven less than 40,000 miles with a pair of previous owners. The current keeper has treated it to some fresh Michelin PS5s, ensured the service schedule is kept up to date, and kept their Lotus in exceptional condition. An advisory free MOT runs all the way until next July.

Tempting, right? The open top joy of an Elise, with the performance and sound of a V6 Exige - plus true rarity thrown into the bargain as well. There can’t be many better sports cars to see out the summer with. Bids open on Sunday…

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FPC

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