Lotus Exige S2
The hard-roof Elise that grew into a supercharged V6 weapon.
14 reviewers · 19 videos · 3 hours watched
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and value.
across 14 reviewers
"that power is insane oh my god when you think 300 horsepower... this thing's really fast and I love the power delivery it's very linear"
Zygrene · ▶ 10:36"it just doesn't have enough to compete with the other two."
Car and Driver · ▶ 3:40"they're holding their money really really well"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 7:10"It costs £33,000, which is quite a lot."
Slyxx86 · ▶ 4:24Performance
4.5/514 of 14 reviewerssplit“that power is insane oh my god when you think 300 horsepower... this thing's really fast and I love the power delivery it's very linear”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:36“it's a supercharged 1.8 liter inline four... it makes 218 horsepower... the only word for it is just intoxicating”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 0:18“1.8 liter supercharged engine... 240 horses 4.7 seconds 0 to 100.”
positive · dsf.my · ▶ 3:20Handling
5.0/514 of 14 reviewersstrong consensus“handling to beat any car you bring forward to be. I will outhandle it.”
positive · dsf.my · ▶ 2:56“steering is wonderful yes such a light car you really feel it”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:54“the lotus's big strength is the feedback this car tells you exactly what's going on.”
positive · Car and Driver · ▶ 2:33Fun to drive
5.0/514 of 14 reviewersstrong consensus“This is a real sports car. This is truly a sports car for drivers, for enthusiasts.”
positive · dsf.my · ▶ 6:12“I could drive just this all day and be very very happy”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:03“it gives you a sense that this car is basically a go-kart for the street”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 5:35Daily drivability
1.5/514 of 14 reviewersstrong consensus“this car is pretty much totally unbearable driving around on this road at low speed”
critical · Zygrene · ▶ 8:51“Getting in and out can be a little bit of a pain. Why? Because of the white silia and my age and my aching back and my not so good knees.”
critical · dsf.my · ▶ 1:35“the supercharged engine that's right behind the seats is awfully Buzzy and inside this thing it is a noise chamber.”
critical · Car and Driver · ▶ 3:29Value
4.0/513 of 14 reviewerssplit“they're holding their money really really well”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 7:10“it's a great way to hold on to uh the passive manual transmissions right I mean they're not going to make cars like this anymore”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 18:27“It costs £33,000, which is quite a lot.”
critical · Slyxx86 · ▶ 4:24The Toyota era. The S2 Exige dropped the fragile Rover K for Toyota's 2ZZ-GE and the C64 six-speed, first naturally aspirated (~190 hp) and then, in the Exige S, Eaton-supercharged toward 220–260 hp depending on year and trim. The formula clicks here: a stiff bonded-aluminium coupe, real downforce, sub-tonne-ish mass, and an engine that finally takes the abuse. The ladder runs Exige S → S 240 → S 260 and the track-built Cup cars, plus a rare Exige S Roadster. Watch items are heat — supercharged cars work the cooling system hard — and the 2ZZ's rocker arms. Where it places: the Exige that made the name, and the sweet spot for buyers who want the hardcore coupe without S3 V6 money.
Hear it in the reviewer’s words
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- Exige SEaton-supercharged 2ZZ-GE
- S 240 / S 260escalating power and aero
- Cup / Cup 260track-spec
- Exige S Roadsteropen-top variant
Supercharged S2 Exiges run hot — oil temperature and cooling upgrades are common talking points. The 2ZZ's VVTL-i lift gives the car its top-end character but shares the rocker-arm wear failure mode to inspect.