Lotus Exige V6 Coupe
Discussion
This is my new v6 coupe that I collected from Lotus Silverstone today to replace my 2-Eleven (thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=150... )
I thought that the 2-Eleven was a keeper but my urges got the better of me following a test drive of the Exige a couple of weekends ago. My intention was to keep the 2-Eleven and buy a Boxster S of around 2010 vintage that I could use a bit more but soon came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be quick enough plus the cost of running two toys as well as a company car wasn't sensible.
I visited Lotus Silverstone to look at the solar yellow 2014 car but to cut a long story short I was offered a decent trade in against their ardent red demo with most options ticked (Race Pack, Sport Premium Pack, cruise control and even a cup holder!) I've only driven the Exige for 30 miles so far but not having to worry quite as much about the splitter clearance is certainly a novelty.
In terms of performance the 2-Eleven seemed quicker, that could have been due to the lack of screen and lack of creature comforts or that it simply was faster. Don't get me wrong the Exige isn't slow with 345bhp and weighing around 1,100kg but I suspect it comes into its element above the legal speed limits.
A soft top conversion is on the cards as I'm not a massive fan of coupés and the hard top is only really required above 100mph otherwise it affects the aero.
That's about it for now, but hopefully it'll be at a few Sunday Services in the coming months
The plan is to hang on to this car a little longer that my usual 11 months but time will tell!
I thought that the 2-Eleven was a keeper but my urges got the better of me following a test drive of the Exige a couple of weekends ago. My intention was to keep the 2-Eleven and buy a Boxster S of around 2010 vintage that I could use a bit more but soon came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be quick enough plus the cost of running two toys as well as a company car wasn't sensible.
I visited Lotus Silverstone to look at the solar yellow 2014 car but to cut a long story short I was offered a decent trade in against their ardent red demo with most options ticked (Race Pack, Sport Premium Pack, cruise control and even a cup holder!) I've only driven the Exige for 30 miles so far but not having to worry quite as much about the splitter clearance is certainly a novelty.
In terms of performance the 2-Eleven seemed quicker, that could have been due to the lack of screen and lack of creature comforts or that it simply was faster. Don't get me wrong the Exige isn't slow with 345bhp and weighing around 1,100kg but I suspect it comes into its element above the legal speed limits.
A soft top conversion is on the cards as I'm not a massive fan of coupés and the hard top is only really required above 100mph otherwise it affects the aero.
That's about it for now, but hopefully it'll be at a few Sunday Services in the coming months
The plan is to hang on to this car a little longer that my usual 11 months but time will tell!
tballs, I bet it's quick!
Small update, I decided to take the car to Santa Pod for the Sunday Service having never been before, let alone driving the 1/4 mile.
I was slightly anxious about what could go wrong to my new car, whether it be destroy the clutch, or I tank slap it into the wall or neighbouring car. Typically my first run was against the slick shod, Zetec powered Ford Anglia that knocked my confidence even more when he did a pretty impressive burnout...he clearly knew what he was doing!
I approached the marshalls who were beckoning me toward the line, while watching his hand I missed the staging lights and by the time I'd realised this the Anglia was on the move. Now I'm quite a competitive person and I had a passenger to impress so my plan of taking my first run easy went out the window, first gear, lots of wheelspin and traction control light flashing away but as soon as I was into second the tyres hooked up and I'd reeled the Anglia in and then was past it in what seemed like no time at all. I crossed the line in around 13 secs at 107mph.
I had the bug, I managed one more run before lunch and then decided to have a break hoping people would go home. This was a good decision and I could pretty much drive round straight to the front of the queue. By this time my passenger had gone home so my times were improving, that was until I missed fourth gear at 100mph, whoops. I did 6 runs in total and my mechanical sympathy got the better of me, afterall, it wasn't really what the car was designed for but Santa Pod was a box I wanted to tick.
My best run was a 12.9 second quarter mile at 109.6 mph and with 60 feet appearing in 1.9 secs
A couple of videos and photos below that I've collected from fellow PH'ers. You can see the relief/excitement from my in-car GoPro footage when I get past the Anglia.
http://youtu.be/bW-yBxEO1e4
http://youtu.be/NaFmqgRxUE8
http://youtu.be/WbZ6hiT6h4g
CT-1000 by Alex L, on Flickr
CT-0856 by Alex L, on Flickr
CT-1006 by Alex L, on Flickr
I was slightly anxious about what could go wrong to my new car, whether it be destroy the clutch, or I tank slap it into the wall or neighbouring car. Typically my first run was against the slick shod, Zetec powered Ford Anglia that knocked my confidence even more when he did a pretty impressive burnout...he clearly knew what he was doing!
I approached the marshalls who were beckoning me toward the line, while watching his hand I missed the staging lights and by the time I'd realised this the Anglia was on the move. Now I'm quite a competitive person and I had a passenger to impress so my plan of taking my first run easy went out the window, first gear, lots of wheelspin and traction control light flashing away but as soon as I was into second the tyres hooked up and I'd reeled the Anglia in and then was past it in what seemed like no time at all. I crossed the line in around 13 secs at 107mph.
I had the bug, I managed one more run before lunch and then decided to have a break hoping people would go home. This was a good decision and I could pretty much drive round straight to the front of the queue. By this time my passenger had gone home so my times were improving, that was until I missed fourth gear at 100mph, whoops. I did 6 runs in total and my mechanical sympathy got the better of me, afterall, it wasn't really what the car was designed for but Santa Pod was a box I wanted to tick.
My best run was a 12.9 second quarter mile at 109.6 mph and with 60 feet appearing in 1.9 secs
A couple of videos and photos below that I've collected from fellow PH'ers. You can see the relief/excitement from my in-car GoPro footage when I get past the Anglia.
http://youtu.be/bW-yBxEO1e4
http://youtu.be/NaFmqgRxUE8
http://youtu.be/WbZ6hiT6h4g
CT-1000 by Alex L, on FlickrCT-0856 by Alex L, on FlickrCT-1006 by Alex L, on FlickrEdited by Alex L on Friday 8th April 20:09
Edited by Alex L on Friday 8th April 20:11
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