NEW Lotus Exige S

Can this small, home grown sports car tilt at rivals such as BMW's M Coupe and Porsche's 911 GT3? We find out.There's really nothing like the Lotus Exige on the road. Its styling is based on the second-generation Elise launched in 2000, but clever updates mean that it hasn't appeared to date and is one of those cars that looks even better in the metal than in pictures. The Exige S is the most powerful version in the range, and as such is a great drive. The Toyota-supplied, four-cylinder, 1.8 litre engine makes a characterful noise at low revs, but this is soon over powered by the screaming sound of the supercharger as you work your way up the rev range and through the gears. The top speed is 153mph but the Exige feels very quick at half that, mainly because of its low-centre of gravity and light-weight build. The steering feels alive in your hands, needing the smallest imputs to place the Exige on the road.To sum up, the Exige S is a giant-killer. Very fast, but always feels very special as a Lotus should, but it's a bit of squeeze in the cabin for taller people.

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