It's so important companies like Lotus exist, back to basics thrill of driving. Essentially it's what it's really all about. Great video sir and the Exige is wonderfully spec'd!
Many great car manufacturers have a different sucessful philosophy. The don't consider weight to be an issue. They put into there cars exactly what they feel the car needs. Ferrari, Lamborghini, bugatti for ex. Don't make light weight cars. But they are wonderful
@@guardisto You're definitely a casual. Just go a drive a watered down, easy to drive luxury sports car. You're too soft to drive a real driver's car like a Lotus. Lotus are built for real men.
@@zarbon700 Men like you, who have never been in a lotus or a watered down sports car. Which of your manly abilities that no one has allows you to drive a lotus like no one else can ?
@@mnoovurvi I actually own a 2017 Lotus Evora 400. You obviously felt hurt by my comment because know it reflects your own character. It's not my fault you know you're not man enough to drive a Lotus.
so what do you drive and don't lie, exactly, nothing with the credentials you just named cause you a corporate puppet with a company car just like everybody else.
Great review, lotus cars are massively underrated on the whole. My Exige Cup 240 I had was just such an intense experience, you’d get out of it knowing you had been for a proper drive. The kind of cars to get you out of bed at 4am to hit some empty roads...
Finally a car that most people could own in their lifetime. Nicely refreshing James. Personally I'm sick of every super car maker releasing a so called "special" car every 12 months. They're all ridiculously expensive to buy, maintain, and only a handful of them ever get driven properly.
@@alexcowboi6984 I am a car enthusiast mate. I'm saying even the general public can tell a Ferrari from a Porsche etc. But hardly anyone in the general public is familiar with Lotus. Not sure about cat enthusiasts mate I prefer dogs myself.
Great video, thanks James, the smile says it all! I sold my McLaren 12C to buy a 430CUP, which actually cost me more. The reason being the McLaren was and is an amazing car but 95% of the time you can not exploit a super car to its full potential on UK roads. So driving at legal speeds it was not engaging, no manual gears, no soundtrack, very civilised. In the Exige you can have masses of fun and be totally immersed in your driving without breaking the law. It is perfect drivers car for the UK. I have driven lots of supercars and none make me smile as much as the 430CUP. I also own a 981 Spyder which is manual, NA, LSD, light (ish), RWD, mid engined. It is another car perfectly suited to UK roads and rewards with maximum fun on each outing. Supercars are so fast and so detached that for me they are no longer engaging to drive and somewhat irrelevant. The super-sports-car is where its at and the more analogue the better. I hope Lotus continues its ethos through the Geely ownership period or it will be a big loss.
@@Magic_Vince Because a 12C is worth around £75 - £80k used and a 430 CUP around £100k used (or £118k new) Therefore I sold my 12C and paid more for a 430CUP.
Oh man that open gear box is insane. I would pay the price of admission just for that. The sound of the thing is amazing too! Excellent review as always.
The Exige is awesome. I had the pleasure of many, many laps at Hethel last week... and your reaction of extreme enjoyment was spot on! It’s a pure drivers’ car. What a machine!
Remember Top Gear and the 1.8ltr EXIGE! Episode? Not quite as quick as this one, but a claimed low 4s to 100km, not a slouch, even Today. Remember the comment.... “the most fun you can have on four wheels” well the chassis is the same, only slightly extended for the V6 toyota engine. These cars are fantastic to live with everyday as they are incredibly cheap to run and maintain. I have had Audis and other fancy cars, nothing drives and is as cheap to run when you talk sporty cars. I am on my second Lotus, had a SC Elise, now a Lotus 1.8SC Exige. Just love them!
For those curious There is indeed no power steering, and the valve can be manually over ridden with a switch (the other side of the trip computer on earlier cars) but Lotus removed it because of EU regs. Can be added in by any dealer though, or buy a pre 410 car, such as a 380 or 350.
The exhaust valve button can no longer be added on new cars after summer last year. Lotus kept the wiring loom in place for a while after the button was removed so it could be added but have now removed the loom due to EU regs. However a small 'tweak' in the engine bay with a vacuum pipe and a couple of bungs and the valves will be open all the time. Komotec also do an aftermarket kit that allows the valve to open / close on demand.
You know why these regulations were pushed for? Because some idiots thought it was a good idea to always have the valves open and be so loud and obnoxious about it in cities that they annoyed anoyone else and therefore destroying the fun of valve exhaust nearly for all of us.
@@betaich This is probably true, static rev crowd in Kensington have a lot to answer for. All they do is drive into London and rev their engines. Such a waste of a supercar!
@@GeesDrive Brilliant. Cabin is comfortable, radio/speakers are a bit weak but easy and cheap to upgrade. Boot space is a bit small, but it's plenty for one or even two people. Also has storage behind the seats so just get creative with it! The only down side is the front is quite low, and over hang is long so it can scrape of you're not aware. It's even good on fuel, cause it's so light!
@@RoflOnMyWaffle. Sounds like it's pretty easy to live with, plus who needs speakers when you have that soundtrack! Interesting to hear your thoughts, thanks for the insight.
Lotus is absolutely fabulous! I’m lucky enough to call an Evora S my daily driver, and it brings a smile to my face everyday. Thank you James for an excellent piece yet again!
90% of the general public could not exploit the naturally aspirated Exige 190 (pre 2006 car) on the track. The size of people’s ego sure costs them in the long run.
Been driving an Elise S2 111S for the past 15 years, despite it being the most temperamental car I've ever owned, it's still a gem and a future classic. That is the embodiment of Lotus philosophy and the Exige S3 is the end of a glorious era. Thanks for the great video
And it would probably eat it alive unbelievable sportscar. A 250 Cup Elise would give a GT3 a run for its money on winding country road 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and 155.mph OK not as fast top end but as for nimbleness n handling it definitely holds it's own.
I would too, in a heartbeat. If this is half the car my 06 Exige is, (and the added 175 kilos aside, it's likely significantly better), it's probably a much more engaging driving experience. And, considering how reliable and ridiculously inexpensive mine has been to maintain, in the long run, this car will likely be far more economical to own than a Porsche, especially if you can avoid dealerships by doing maintenance and repairs yourself. What he didn't mention is that this thing has a bulletproof V6 Toyota Camry engine, but on steroids. It's a British car, but with a reliable electrical system and drivetrain because the basic car has been around long enough that they've worked the major bugs out of the design.
@frank white all the sensors and such are Toyota? I didn't know that. I Know that the earlier cars definitely had some British electricals and it did make them finicky. If the newer ones are more reliable, than that's amazing.
Even on the older ones with the "Lucas" parts, you can pretty much straight swap them with more modern equivalents when they break. Most generic Vauxhall/GM/Ford parts fit.
I think that's a good idea ... why stuck with 410, you still can adapt to put cloth roof on it , maybe remove the rubber front splitter, do a DIY mod to leave exhaust always open ... and voilaaa
All Exiges and Elises have removable roofs. They're bolted on. The 410 and 430 have a sticker that warns you that you may die if you do this, but you pays your money...
If only more people had the balls to buy cars like this, and the like, such as Nobles........Badge, Instagram, badge, Instagram............. practice what you preach people. Thanks James.
I live in Portugal and as long as I love Ferraris etc it's very unlikely that you'll be able to buy/maintain one. But this is the supercar I can aspire to own. Furthermore it's a driver's car so it's totally worth it. Thanks for sharing with us James. Keep them coming! Amazing content!
I have an Exige 350 and that’s more than enough for the road. It’s the greatest fun I’ve ever had in a car, and with a Larini backbox, sounds even better. Incredible car in whichever engine output you buy.
Glad you liked it. I am on my third Lotus, now an Exige 380 Cup. Like you say, it is priced so it is still achievable and I was just able to get there. I don’t feel short changed in the slightest, it gives me so much that I question why I would spend more if I could. Noise regulations meant they had to remove the exhaust override button. Mine has the button, so I can have full loud all the time if I want :) the new cars can have an override remote control fitted aftermarket. All the best
What a fantastic review with such an in depth report on performance, balance, damping, steering feel, gear change, pedal setting etc etc. So refreshing compared to other internet 'experts' Emm, who really offer nothing. Really like your thoughts on realistic performance drivers cars, and where the Lotus ethos comes into all this. Thanks think you made my mind up
Videos like this one remind me why you are the best car youtuber on the scene. Great analysis, great use of the english language (not my native tongue, but I appreciate it a lot) and a love of cars that goes well beyond the status or "cool factor". Keep up the good work.
Spot on review. Being a Exige V6 owner, along with a few other cars. I believe that a Exige V6 is the best sports car for money, if you want a pure driving experience. A 13/14 reg Exige V6 is basically the same car as this, just with slightly less power and are priced on the market for 40k. They are solid, probably the most reliable car I own. Have had no problems in this.. but i did have problems in my M6(v8) and 997.2 gt3. Very underrated cars these exiges
@@josiahbradley2434 The evora (exige with your "safety requirements" weight) doesnt sell what makes you think they will invest in giving you the exige
I am owner of a Cup 430 (Type 25) and track it intensively. Great fun and fast car! Indeed the wear of brakes and tyres is MUCH less than on my AMG GTR or my previously owned 991/997 GT3 RS and even GT4! No doubt Lotus should continue to play the lightweight card in their future models!
I’ve got a 430 as well and was surprised to find it over the noise limit for most U.K. track days. Have you found a trackday silencer that does the trick, by any chance? Thanks
Hardly qualifies as a modern classic. An interesting niche project but certainly not a classic, they didn't make enough of them for it to even be considered.
Lotus need to sign you up as a brand ambassador !!! Their type of car has to be the way forward - light, loud and great fun whilst still relatively exploitable.
I'm currently running a VX220T as a weekend toy and you are correct about realistically aspirational. The Exige is my next purchase in the new year. The lightweight ethos is indeed a future proof tool in the Lotus arsenal. Less fuel less wear and tear and recyclable.
I’m obsessed with owning a Ferrari one day but I drove a Alpine A110 a few months ago then a Portofino the same day and for a quarter of the cost I had more fun in the Alpine with 240bhp . With the pursuit of bhp we are losing true driving cars for the road
The Lotus is a more raw driving experience people might scoff at it having a Toyota Camry V6 engine but in whole honesty they're idiot proof and with a Harrop Supercharger bolted on pumping out 350 - 430 BHP and weighing 1100kgs they're blisteringly quick 0-60 in 3.7 - 3.2 Seconds and crack on to 100 mph above the national speed limit and a bit more. It's the Colin Chapman Ethos of building a Sports Car that's about adding lightness thus giving it pin point steering no power steering is fitted it's jus you the car and the road just as it should be I've never been in an Exige nor driven one but own an Elise but would openly say every Petrolhead should try a Lotus before they die. Its an automotive drug.
OMG...I gotta comment again: HE just said everything in this video ( nailed it ) about the hype about super pricey cars...electric expensive cars..etc. NICE.
They have to make a new elise, with this formula but get rid of the extra bits like alcantara, the supercharger, big brakes etc. Make another 200-250hp with 800-900kg and $50k price tag. Dream car.
FINALLY A VIDEO ON LOTUS , I've been waiting on you to do a video on them forever finally they get some recognition they deserve they make some amazing cars. As a owner I love driving it and since they are rare to see where I live. people break their necks looking it.
Think this is the 5th time of watching, absolutely hooked on the noise the Exige makes - glorious. Credit to Mr JWW for caning this thing and maintaining a cohesive conversation :)
Great to see Lotus getting some love and appreciation from the youtubers. The V6 Exiges aren’t legal in North America, but if they were, I’d find the money to get one.
a no nonsense type of sports car with the perfect blend of harmony and humdrum to thrash around the track on a deserted but quiet fri evening or sat for that matter.. Wished they made it in the states..
this may sound odd but i'm as happy as you look in this car as i am driving my mx5/miata. it is my dream to upgrade to a lotus! goosebumbs everywhere listening to the sound of the car! For anyone looking to buy your first car i would suggest the mx5/miata, it doesnt sound like this but i imagine the feeling is just a bit like this crazy lotus and it only cost me 2000 euro
LOVE what LOTUS is doing. Smart strategy. The mass knows about the super sports cars, and their super unrealistic Instagram style prices etc!!! Enough of pictures and overwhelming media stuff... THE COSTUMERS & drivers want actually to buy them!!! ...And there is where LOTUS gets it nicely !!!!
This is the video I've been waiting for! Awesome review! Agree with everything you said. From the lotus forums it seems like the problem with lotus is the poor customer service from the company. Hopefully Geely will sort this out. Did it make the GT3 feel like a panamera?
James, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE drive an S2000 for your Modern Classics. I think you'd fall in love based off of what you are saying in this video. Show some JDM love! You being a self proclaimed 'gearbox snob,' every magazine that reviewed it said it is the best feeling manual around regardless of price. And the engine....F20/F22 is a reving masterpiece. 50/50 weight. It just shouts drivers car. Thank you, sir!
Please Please Please Please Please PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPPPLLEEAAASSEE TELL US WHAT YOU THINK About an s2k, its within reach of vast majority of viewers, has a sense of theatre, occasion, character with a historic significant engine an engineering masterpiece came to market in 1997 yet still stands up against modern engines........ please
I had an Elise in 2002 when the s2 came out and it was epic. I was 25 at the time and used it as a daily driver, so frightening in snow and ice, epic in the summer sunshine. I love lotus, but to me they haven’t yet moved to there next generation, everything is still based on the original Elise chassis. In the millennium there was nothing like an Elise, now cars have moved on so much you can buy any AMG Merc for less money than this and be just as quick with suitcase and a family of 4 onboard. So I would love to see the Elise and exige move forward 20 years, with paddle shift boxes and a new iconic design relaunching lotus’s into the next generation of flagship light weight sports cars.
An absolute Dreamcar, alot of Power, great Sound, perfect handling, a drivers car, no electric help like tc, esc, and stuff like that, and not ridiculously expensive. For myself a Exige 350 S would be enough 😄
Exceptionally brilliant video James. The content production and most importantly, the point of it is sublime. It should be Lotus' advertising campaign! Brilliant, and I was sorry when it ended, peace and respect, Ben
Been a AW11 owner and enthusiast for 25 years, after many other breeds and combinations I've owned the AW11 is a real drivers car. The AW11 hooks you in just like you are with that Lotus. That said, after a ride in 2008 with a Exige, one day I really hope to own a 2007-2010 Exige and twincharge it. They are indeed an incredible drivers car.
Great job Lotus. I love how the Exige/Elise never gets a major design overhaul-it’s becoming Lotus’s 911. That car is easily identifiable as the same car that came out around 2004, despite looking right at home in 2019. And like a 911, I expect they are extremely different cars to drive albeit with identifiable traits in the bloodline.
The 1st Formula race car I drove was a Lotus. The light weight and spot-on chassis & suspension made for a terrific drive. This Exige 410 would make for a wonderful street car. I fully agree with the tester that this is an aspirational car. I have owned a Porsche Carrera S and currently a Panamera. I would say that this Exige 410 would definitely be in the running with regard to purchasing another 911. Lotus & Porsche have always been 2 car companies that I have had great respect for what they can accomplish. My only concern with Lotus is lack of dealerships in the USA. (PS: my photo above shows me just how excited I was when I first drove an Exige, circa 2008.)
I fell in love with the original Exige when it's introduction was shown in a display at Sebring. Small, lightweight, beautiful and potentially a great dancing partner on a winding road. The only bug for me was the quality, or lack thereof. This 410 would be the car I would purchase if it was available in the US. Just fantastic....
Couldn't agree more with the host. I daily drive a 2016 C63 AMG with over 600hp and have driven many awesome cars such as GT3's, Ferrari's, Aston Martin etc. Recently I added a brand new Elise cup 250 as a fun little track toy that can be thrown around all day without you needing to sell a kidney. It is probably one of the most fun cars I've ever driven even with the relatively low power it has. There's just something special about a Lotus that only people who have actually driven them can understand. My C63 is kinda boring to drive in comparison. It's great fun at all speeds, the cornering speed that little thing has is just mindblowing and I find myself, even for smaller city drives, always grabbing the keys of the Lotus instead of the AMG. I can honestly recommend anyone to get one, even lower end Elises are great fun because they are so engaging and fun to drive, even at low speeds. I think Lotus is probably one of the most under-rated car brands in the industry right now. Not a single car brand brings this formula anymore and it trully is fantastic to drive. If you claim yourself to be a carnut and don't like or want to own a Lotus, you're probably not a real car guy because they tick all the right boxes: low weight + open gated manual + amazing steering feel. I'm replacing the C63 soon and it's not going to be another Mercedes but what I do know is that once I replace the Lotus, I'm getting another Lotus. 100%
Mr JWW.........it is not hard, you are on the money and I have been banging on about this for 25 years. Give me 1200kg or less, RWD, stick shift, n/a, 350hp, 400Nm and a price of
I have a 2001 Elise S2 and a 2012 Elise S3. I owned them for many years and many miles and use them as daily drivers from spring to winter. Absolutely perfect quality both of them. S3 was a replacement of the S2, but I just can't let her go, so she has a sister now. 😊
I always forget about Lotus, but I was given the opportunity to drive an original Porsche Boxter and a Lotus Elise back to back, and the Lotus was definitely more fun. The steering was phenomenal and while the shifter was great in the Porsche the manual metallic shifter of the Lotus is still the best shifter I've ever used. It's a shame we can't get this car in the US.
Best. Sounding. V6. Out. There. For the reasons you say RE usable power in a great package which connects you to what's happening on the tarmac, I'm buying a 370Z Nismo.
Having gone from a Nismo to the Lotus, it's night and day different. However, if I needed another more sensible car I'd get a 370z Nismo over an M3 any day. Loved it. Enjoy the car and maybe we'll convert you to Lotus in the future :)
James, You are spot on about this. People can USE this type of car. It's best attributes are small, light weight, powerful enough, does great in the corners. I would much rather enjoy a small nimble car than the typical super cars. On the other hand I commented yesterday about what Koenigsegg would come up with if they made a car as small as an Elise or Exige. How many lateral Gs could they achieve? I think it would be fun if cars pursued maximum lateral Gs. We will probably get to 300 mph and that's more than enough. But what about maximum lateral Gs. ...great video, James.
I've always wanted a Lotus or a TVR and I don't really know why. I just see them and think they look so awesome! I guess it's that stripped back driving experience they have in common.
Lotus are brilliant drivers cars and love the 250cup but down side is they are difficult to daily compared to say a 718 which is less fun but offers so much more comfort and refinement. Its a tough market but so pleased to see lotus powering on.
