It is kind of sad to see Lotus abandoning all hopes and dreams – unrealistic though they certainly were – and reduced to producing slightly modified versions of existing models. The new Lotus Exige Sport 350 is an Exige they have made 50 kg lighter and presented as a new model.
Still, a regurgitated Lotus is far better than most other people’s brand spanking new sports car. So Lotus Exige Sport 350 has a lot to say, especially in a game of top trumps. With a 51 kg reduction in weight and an output of 345 horsepower, the car boasts an excellent 300 hp/tonne power-to-weight ratio. That means it can accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds) before reaching a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h).
That also means Lotus Exige Sport 350 is poised and precise and delivers one of the most satisfying cornering experience in any car. It is helped in that aspect by revised suspension tuning and wheel geometry and re-calibrated steering. The car also the has Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) with three discrete modes – ‘Drive’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’.
As for where they have taken the weight off, the 350 boasts a louvered tailgate panel, a lighter battery, lightweight engine mounts, a lightweight centre console featuring an exposed gearshift mechanism, lighter HVAC pipework and the optimised use of sound insulation. But don’t think because you get less, you have to pay less. This models tarts in the UK from £55,900.