Which Lotus Exige Version Should You Buy?
Choosing a Lotus Exige from these specifications comes down to three distinct propositions. The first generation is the lightest, with 179–192 hp and kerb weights of 780–880 kg. The second generation keeps the 1.8 MT format but offers 192–260 hp at 880–933 kg. The third generation moves to a 3.5-litre engine, producing 350–436 hp and delivering the quickest acceleration in the catalogue.
Choosing a Lotus Exige from these specifications comes down to three distinct propositions. The first generation is the lightest, with 179–192 hp and kerb weights of 780–880 kg. The second generation keeps the 1.8 MT format but offers 192–260 hp at 880–933 kg. The third generation moves to a 3.5-litre engine, producing 350–436 hp and delivering the quickest acceleration in the catalogue. Every generation is a Coupe with RWD, but the balance between low weight, power, gearbox choice, economy and straight-line performance varies substantially.
Lotus Exige generations compared
The first generation ran from 2001 to 2004 and contains two Coupe versions. Both are named 1.8 MT, so they must be distinguished by output: 179 hp or 192 hp. The 179 hp car is the lightest Exige listed at 780 kg, while the 192 hp version weighs 880 kg. Both have a 32-litre tank and 130 mm of ground clearance.
The second generation ran from 2004 to 2011 and contains five Coupe versions, all named 1.8 MT. Their outputs are 192, 221, 243, 246 and 260 hp. Kerb weight ranges from 880 to 933 kg, the tank increases to 40 litres, and ground clearance rises to 160 mm. Compared with the first generation’s strongest 1.8 MT, the second-generation 260 hp car adds 68 hp while weighing 53 kg more.
The third generation ran from 2011 to 2022 and contains 14 versions in the data, of which 12 are detailed here. It remains a Coupe with RWD but replaces the earlier 1,795–1,796 cc engines with a 3,456 cc V-shaped 6-cylinder Gasoline engine. Outputs range from 350 to 436 hp. It also introduces Automatic alternatives alongside Manual versions, while the MT Sport 390 Final Edition, MT Sport 420 Final Edition and MT Sport 430 Final Edition run from 2021 to 2022.
Lotus Exige engine specs and versions
Because several cars share the same database name, power is essential when identifying the required version.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-generation 1.8 MT, 179 hp | 179 hp | 171 Nm | 1,795 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| First-generation 1.8 MT, 192 hp | 192 hp | 180 Nm | 1,795 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 4, Inline | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second-generation 1.8 MT, 192 hp | 192 hp | 180 Nm | 1,796 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second-generation 1.8 MT, 221 hp | 221 hp | 215 Nm | 1,796 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second-generation 1.8 MT, 243 hp | 243 hp | 230 Nm | 1,796 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second-generation 1.8 MT, 246 hp | 246 hp | 236 Nm | 1,796 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second-generation 1.8 MT, 260 hp | 260 hp | 236 Nm | 1,796 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 MT, 350 hp | 350 hp | 400 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 MT, 360 hp | 360 hp | 400 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 MT, 380 hp, 3.7 sec | 380 hp | 410 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 AT, 380 hp | 380 hp | 410 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 MT, 380 hp, 3.6 sec | 380 hp | 410 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 MT, 416 hp | 416 hp | 420 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 MT, 436 hp | 436 hp | 440 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| MT Sport 390 Final Edition | 402 hp | 420 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| MT Sport 420 Final Edition | 426 hp | 427 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| MT Sport 430 Final Edition | 436 hp | 440 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 AT, 350 hp | 350 hp | 400 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third-generation 3.5 MT, 350 hp, 233 km/h | 350 hp | 400 Nm | 3,456 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
The 179 hp first-generation 1.8 MT produces about 100 hp per litre, compared with about 107 hp per litre for the 192 hp version. Across the second generation, specific output rises from about 107 hp per litre in the 192 hp car to about 145 hp per litre in the 260 hp car. The third-generation range spans about 101 hp per litre at 350 hp to about 126 hp per litre at 436 hp.
Lotus Exige performance, acceleration and mpg
The first-generation choice is straightforward on performance. The 179 hp 1.8 MT reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and 219 km/h, while the 192 hp 1.8 MT needs 4.8 seconds and reaches 225 km/h. Fuel consumption for both is not measured.
Within the second generation, the 192 hp 1.8 MT records 4.8 seconds and 225 km/h. The 221 hp version improves those figures to 4.1 seconds and 238 km/h, while the 243 hp car takes 4.0 seconds and also reaches 238 km/h. The 246 hp version is the quickest second-generation car to 100 km/h at 3.9 seconds and has the generation’s highest listed speed at 249 km/h. The 260 hp version records 4.0 seconds and 245 km/h. Fuel consumption is not measured for every second-generation version.
Third-generation performance starts with the 350 hp 3.5 MT at 4.0 seconds and 270 km/h. The 360 hp 3.5 MT also takes 4.0 seconds but reaches 274 km/h. The two detailed 380 hp Manual specifications record either 3.7 seconds and 286 km/h or 3.6 seconds and 282 km/h. The 380 hp 3.5 AT achieves 3.7 seconds and 274 km/h.
The 416 hp 3.5 MT combines 3.4 seconds with 290 km/h. Its measured consumption is 14.9 l/100 km in the city, 8.1 l/100 km on the highway and 9.6 l/100 km combined. The 436 hp 3.5 MT records 3.3 seconds and 290 km/h, with 15.2, 8.3 and 10.8 l/100 km respectively. It adds 20 hp and removes 0.1 second from the acceleration time, but its measured combined consumption is 1.2 l/100 km higher.
The MT Sport 390 Final Edition has 402 hp, a 3.7-second acceleration time and a 277 km/h maximum speed. The MT Sport 420 Final Edition has 426 hp, takes 3.4 seconds and reaches 290 km/h. The MT Sport 430 Final Edition has 436 hp, takes 3.3 seconds and reaches 280 km/h. All three list 16.8 l/100 km city, 9.9 l/100 km highway and 10.2 l/100 km combined consumption.
The 350 hp 3.5 AT takes 3.9 seconds and reaches 270 km/h; its consumption is not measured. The heavier 350 hp 3.5 MT takes 4.0 seconds and reaches 233 km/h, with measured consumption of 14.5 l/100 km city, 7.6 l/100 km highway and 10.1 l/100 km combined.
Lotus Exige weight, dimensions and practical specifications
The first-generation 179 hp 1.8 MT has the best weight-to-power figure among the early cars at approximately 4.36 kg per hp. Its kerb weight is 780 kg and gross weight is 965 kg. The 192 hp version weighs 880 kg, or approximately 4.58 kg per hp, and has a gross weight of 1,040 kg. Both have 130 mm ground clearance, a 32-litre tank, 195/50 R16 and 225/45 R17 wheels, plus disc brakes at both ends.
Second-generation kerb weight is 880 kg for the 192 hp version, 933 kg for the 221 hp, 243 hp and 260 hp versions, and 930 kg for the 246 hp version. Gross weight is 1,040 kg for the 192 hp car and 1,185 kg for the 246 hp car; it is not measured for the other three. Every version has 160 mm ground clearance and a 40-litre tank. Wheel sizes are not measured.
Among the second-generation cars, weight per horsepower improves from approximately 4.58 kg per hp at 192 hp to 3.58 kg per hp at 260 hp. The 246 hp car sits close behind at approximately 3.78 kg per hp, while also recording the generation’s quickest acceleration and highest speed.
Third-generation kerb weights extend from 1,057 to 1,166 kg. The 380 hp 3.5 MT that takes 3.6 seconds is the lightest at 1,057 kg, or approximately 2.78 kg per hp. The 436 hp 3.5 MT weighs 1,093 kg, giving approximately 2.51 kg per hp. The MT Sport 430 Final Edition weighs 1,098 kg, also approximately 2.52 kg per hp. The 416 hp 3.5 MT is 1,108 kg, while the MT Sport 420 Final Edition is 1,110 kg and the MT Sport 390 Final Edition is 1,138 kg. Gross weight is not measured for every third-generation version.
All detailed third-generation cars have 160 mm of ground clearance and a 40-litre tank. Wheel sizes are 215/45 R17 and 285/30 R18 for the 416 hp and 436 hp 3.5 MT versions; wheel sizes are not measured for the other third-generation specifications. All use independent, spring suspension at both ends and ventilated disc brakes front and rear.
Which Lotus Exige version to choose
For the lowest kerb weight, choose the first-generation 1.8 MT with 179 hp. Its 780 kg figure is 100 kg below the other first-generation version and 100 kg below the lightest second-generation car. The trade-off is the lowest output and maximum speed in the catalogue, together with a 5-speed Manual rather than the 6-speed Manual fitted to every other detailed Exige.
For a 1.8-litre Exige with the strongest power-to-weight result, the second-generation 1.8 MT with 260 hp is the numerical choice. It develops 68 hp more than the 192 hp version for a 53 kg increase, improving weight per horsepower from about 4.58 to 3.58 kg per hp. If acceleration and maximum speed matter more than the highest power figure, the 246 hp 1.8 MT is the better fit: it is 3 kg lighter, reaches 100 km/h 0.1 second sooner and has a 4 km/h higher maximum speed than the 260 hp car.
For an Automatic gearbox, the third generation provides two output levels. The 350 hp 3.5 AT reaches 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and 270 km/h, while the 380 hp 3.5 AT takes 3.7 seconds and reaches 274 km/h. The additional 30 hp and 10 Nm correspond to a 0.2-second acceleration improvement and 4 km/h more maximum speed.
For the quickest and strongest listed specification, choose either the 436 hp 3.5 MT or MT Sport 430 Final Edition. Both provide 436 hp, 440 Nm and a 3.3-second acceleration time. The regular 436 hp 3.5 MT reaches 290 km/h and weighs 1,093 kg; the MT Sport 430 Final Edition reaches 280 km/h and weighs 1,098 kg. On the supplied numbers, the regular 436 hp car is 5 kg lighter and 10 km/h faster, while the Final Edition lists 10.2 l/100 km combined consumption against 10.8 l/100 km for the regular 436 hp version.
The 416 hp 3.5 MT is the measured-economy compromise in the high-output group. It reaches the same 290 km/h maximum speed as the 426 hp MT Sport 420 Final Edition and regular 436 hp 3.5 MT, while its 9.6 l/100 km combined figure is 0.6 l/100 km below the MT Sport 420 Final Edition and 1.2 l/100 km below the 436 hp 3.5 MT. It gives up 0.1 second to both 436 hp choices in acceleration, but its performance, weight and measured consumption make it the most balanced selection on the available data.