Despite all the brouhaha over the slow death of manual gearbox, the truth is more and more people these days prefer an automatic with paddle shifters. It’s just more convenient. And that is why even Lotus, the purest of all sports car makers, is now offering an automatic version of the Exige S.

Just like the engine, the transmission in Lotus Exige S Automatic is sourced from Toyota and is in fact the same unit they use in the Evora. It is tailored for the Exige and according to the company outperforms the manual gearbox.

“Now, customers who are more accustomed to two pedals and automatic transmissions can enjoy the unbelievable performance and handling of the Exige S without compromise,” says Lotus CEO.

Powered by a 350 horsepower supercharged V6 engine, Lotus Exige S Automatic can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, a tenth of a second quicker than the manual variant. Prices for the automatic Exige start from £56,500 for the coupe and  £57,500 for the roadster – two grand more than the manual.