New cars
Lotus Exige S
n e e d t o k n o w. . .
“In the UK, Lotus sold just 235 cars in 2014, down from 256 in 2013, but sales are up 63 per cent globally year-on-year”
Essentials Lotus Exige S Roadster auto Price: Engine: Power: Transmission:
0-62mph: Top speed: Economy: CO2:
£57,500 3.5-litre 6cyl s’charged 345bhp Six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive 3.9 seconds 145mph 29.4mpg 222g/km
ON SALE Now
Pete Gibson
LotusExigeauto
Running costs 29.4mpg (official) £43 fill-up
PRACTICALITY There is decent space for two despite access being a little tricky, but the 98-litre boot is only good for storing the roof
FIRST DRIVE Paddleshift box aims to boost sports car’s appeal Jonat Jonathan Burn
Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk Jonath @Jonathan_burn
LOTUS’ philosophy has long been to “add lightness”, but in the Exige S, the brand’s latest addition comes in the shape of a new six-speed torque converter auto gearbox. This transmission isn’t strictly new, as it has been adopted from the Evora, but it’s the first time it has been made available in the Exige S. The reason for its introduction is very simple – to help boost sales at minimal cost and open up the market to a new customer base. But is it any good? You’ll pay a reasonable £2,000 extra for the auto over the manual, with the option of a Coupé or Roadster remaining. The control panel for the box is neatly crafted into the centre console. Simply depress the brake, prod ‘D’ and you’re off – at speed, too. Stab the accelerator and the rear tyres fight for traction, yet it’s quicker from 0-62mph than the manual, taking 3.9 seconds. The stonking 345bhp 3.5-litre V6 still nestles behind you, screaming all the way to 7,000rpm, but pulling on the
EQUIPMENT A Race Pack
adds Lotus’ four-way DPM traction control system, as well as launch control, active exhaust valve and optimised sports suspension
Centre console houses the auto box’s control panel in the Lotus’ basic cabin
right paddle reveals a notable lack of urgency when selecting the next ratio. Manual upshifts are laboured, which saps away the car’s momentum, but downshifts feel more urgent. They’re still a world away from the rapid-fire PDK you’ll find in a Porsche Cayman, though. Leaving the gearbox to its own devices shows the Exige S at its best. Changes are well judged, if a little sluggish, but selecting Race on the Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) system sharpens throttle response and adds some much-needed precision. Happily, the agile, balanced and responsive nature of the Exige S hasn’t been affected. The steering is loaded with feedback, and while the ride is on the firm side, it provides an insight into what the car is doing on the road.
WHEELS Standard kit includes
a set of 17 or 18-inch alloys, with a Convenience Pack, Premium Pack and Premium Pack Sport also available
Verdict LOTUS predicts more than a third of Exige S sales could be made up of autos, yet this unresponsive box doesn’t match the rest of the car’s cat-like reflexes. There have been improvements in efficiency and acceleration, but not enough to make you want to ditch the third pedal. Still, the Exige S proves Lotus still builds some of the best-handling cars around.
★★★★★
www.autoexpress.co.uk
