TRACK RECORD

AS LOTUS’ HARDTOP HERO PREPARES TO BOW OUT, WE GATHER THE KEY MODELS FOR ONE FINAL THRASH

- MATTHEW HAYWARD

Exige history

Although the Exige has often played second fiddle to the Elise, keen drivers know that Ex marks the spot

ONE The Series 1 is still the most uncompromising of all Exige models and is rare. Kerb weight of 780kg seems improbable these days TWO The styling sharpened with the Series 2, built between 2004 and 2012. It ran on the same 2300mm wheelbase and the K-Series engine was replaced by the exotic Toyota 2ZZ-GE THREE The Julian Thompson-designed Series 3 debuted at the Frankfurt Show in 2011, powered by a 3.5-litre Toyota 2GR-FE V6 FOUR Ultimate iteration of the Series 3 is the Cup 430, which cranks out 321kW for a devastating power-to-weight ratio of 292kW/tonne. That’s more than a new 992 Turbo S

THERE’S A TECHNIQUE FOR folding yourself into an Exige, or so I’ve been told. You can always tell seasoned Lotus owners by how easy they make the process of getting in and out look. I’ve driven a few, but as a larger human being, graceful I am not. Despite what I’ve always considered my barrier to entry, I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. We’re on hallowed ground at Hethel, with the keys to four of the most extreme cars Lotus has ever built.