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Best Sports & Performance Cars From The 2000s

As someone who experienced a good chunk my adolescent years in the early 2000s, this decade is up there as one of the most memorable, and certainly the most influential when it comes to cars. In terms of becoming an automotive enthusiast, these were the formative years that would go on to put me on a trajectory where I would eventually be writing this very article as a contributor for supercars.net!

Suffice to say, this list is very special and personal to me, and that certainly wouldn’t have been the case if not for some of the most outstanding cars being produced during this decade. In my opinion, this time period was the heyday of Japanese sports cars – I don’t think I’m alone in this sentiment, as there are countless pop culture, social media and grassroots references to support this theory. Don’t worry; I’ve made many picks from both sides of the hemisphere, as there were great products coming out of Europe and North America too.

Even today, I would reckon that every single car that has made it onto this list continues to remain in high (and often increasing) regard. More than 20 years on, they’ve all become iconic cars and many of them are more relevant today than ever before. This is reflected in the highly inflated values seen for these cars on the used market, with many models going for near-or-above brand new MSRP, even after adjusting for inflation.

Here’s the shortlist of 10 such cars, which we have curated:

Honda S2000

Yellow 2008 Honda S2000

For many years, Honda’s beloved roadster held the distinction of producing the most hp per liter of any car on the planet, via its F20C engine. Despite being a convertible, the S2000 is renown for its rigid chassis which helps to provide one of the most raw driving experiences one can have in a production road car. The slick 6-speed manual – the only choice of transmission – was a perfect match to the car’s 2.0L VTEC powerplant which produced 240 hp and revved all the way up to 9,000 rpm.

Later variants of the S2000 featured a strokered 2.2L engine which delivered more power in the lower rev-range and had slightly shorter gearing to improve acceleration. The Honda S2000 embodies everything that is awesome about a naturally-aspirated sports car that is built around the driver; and now, many enthusiasts and collectors alike are seeking to own their piece of its brilliant history.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5 & C6)

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C6

Chevy’s Corvette has a storied history, and the C5 (1997-2004) and C6 (2005-2013) models have almost an equal share of playing time in the 2000s decade. The C5 Corvette Z06 was introduced in 2001 and produced 405 hp from a 5.7L naturally-aspirated V8 LS6 engine. The C5 has aged well, and is considered by many in the motorsport community to be one of the best “budget race cars” you can buy today. The C6 Corvette Z06 arrived as a 2006 model, and is most renown for its 7.0L naturally-aspirated V8 LS7 which produced 505 hp.

To this day, the C6 remains the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine Chevrolet has ever assembled – as next-gen Z06 engines would go on to be supercharged – making it the darling amongst Corvette enthusiasts.

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

Blue Nissan GT-R r34

As far as pop culture icons go, the Nissan Skyline GT-R has cemented a reputation as one of the world’s most revered automobiles. Whether you’re a young teenager who has only been able to experience one through your favorite video game, or a wealthy car collector looking to add a unicorn to your garage, the R34 (1998-2002) Skyline GT-R in particular, checks everyone’s boxes.

Some would argue that the Skyline GT-R only gained international recognition thanks to the “Fast & Furious” movie series, but those into JDM car culture or motorsport were well aware of “Godzilla’s” credentials well before the silver screen event.  The Skyline GT-R produced 280 hp (which could easily be tuned to much, much more) from a twin-turbocharged RB26 engine and featured an all-wheel drive system with HICAS, allowing it to become a dominating force on both circuits and mountain roads alike.

BMW M3 (E46)

Blue BMW E46

The E46 (2000-2006) BMW M3 was in a league of its own: it possessed the chiseled good-looks that older and less handsome E36 never had, and didn’t have the bubbly-like demeanor of the E90. Add to that, an iconic inline-6 engine that was lighter (and in my opinion, has more character) than its successor’s V8, and you have a truly balanced and pure driving machine. The E46 also had mechanical steering, but would forgo most of the electrical helpers or ‘nannies’ that the later generations of M3 cars would have as standard.

It was more advanced than the E30 that came before it, and not as bloated as its successors. It was the ideal concoction of luxury and raw driving purity. It had the best of all worlds; and that’s why we believe that the E46 is the perfect M3.

Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)

2001 Mazda RX-7 Type R Bathurst

Epitomizing rotary performance, the FD (1992-2002) Mazda RX-7 is one of the planet’s most famous automobiles, particularly amongst JDM car enthusiasts and the broader tuning community. While spending most of its life in the 1990s era, the FD3S cuts a very modern silhouette for its age, featuring just the right amount of curves and bulges which helped to create its timeless design – even during a period when “boxy” looking cars were the more predominant template.

In that sense, the RX-7 is often perceived to be a 2000s era car, which speaks volumes of its credentials. Of course, it’s engine was revolutionary too, with the 2-rotor twin-turbocharged 13B-REW engine becoming popular for its performance potential and unique personality.

Honda NSX (NA2)

White Honda NSX

When the NSX was first introduced to the world in 1990, it sent shockwaves throughout the automotive dimension, pioneering an unprecedented amalgamation of characteristics and engineering principles. At a time when the words ‘supercar’ and ‘reliability’ couldn’t be spoken in the same sentence, the formula Honda used to create the NSX resulted in a vehicle that was truly unique for its time – it had all of the desirable characteristics of a supercar, but was packaged with the same reliability, build quality and sensibility of a Honda Accord.

Shortly after the NA2 facelift in 2002, Honda released a Type-R version of the NA2 NSX which was exclusive for MY2002 and for the Japanese market only – just like it did for the NA1 NSX in 1992. By this time, the Type-R moniker had become the official signature of ultimate Honda roadcar performance, and the 2002 Honda NSX Type-R (officially abbreviated to NSX-R on this occasion), certainly lived up to its badge.

Lotus Exige (Series 2)

Lotus Sport Exige 240R

If you ever want a true track car, any Exige model is a great choice. Fun, playful and seriously quick, it will trouble almost any exotic (old and new) on more technical circuits. The Exige was updated to the ‘Series 2’ beginning in 2004 and received a 192 hp Toyota Celica engine and 6-speed manual gearbox. As for chassis, the Series 2 Exige rides on a 10% stiffer suspension setting than the Elise 111R. But most significant, is the adoption of Yokohama A048 semi-slick tires, helping the new Exige corner quicker and flatter than the Elise.

It wasn’t just track driving that improved, with the Series 2 Exige cars also being more comfortable and smooth on regular roads too. As expected, several updates were made during the the 7-year production run, including the release of over a dozen special edition and limited edition cars.

Dodge Viper ACR

2000 Dodge Viper ACR

Even if the Dodge Hellcat is hogging all the headlines these days, there’s always something you have to admire about the lunacy of having a two-seater sports car powered by a naturally-aspirated 8.4L V10 engine. No, the Dodge Viper doesn’t do subtlety very well. Yes, it does happen to fall under the ‘Old Testament’ definition of awesome. With 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque being produced from that colossus of an all-aluminum engine, the Viper has the exhaust note of a semi-dormant volcano.

It would make absolutely no sense at all if it wasn’t just so damn fast. Variants such as the SRT-10 and ACR-X took the road-going version of the car to the next level, with the latter being a turn-key, non-street legal race car which participates in Viper racing leagues around the world.

BMW Z8

2000 BMW Z8

The new millennium super roadster: The BMW Z8. With breathtaking looks and classic proportions, the BMW Z8 was presented the beginning of 2000 as the latest addition to the portfolio of sporting two-seaters. The Z8’s appearance is as equally thrilling as its trendsetting chassis structure, this being a self-supporting aluminum frame called ‘space frame’. This is wrapped in a sleek body shell featuring screw-on components.

Under the bonnet there is a high-performance V8 sports motor displacing five liters. Impressive power of 400 bhp is transmitted to the wheels by a six-speed transmission. Today, the BMW Z8 has become a bit of a unicorn car with a cult following of wealthy collectors. Most examples are going for around US$250,000 on the used market – almost double the brand new MSRP.

Porsche Boxster (986)

1996 Porsche Boxter

The Porsche Boxster (986) was introduced in late 1996 and would be produced until 2004. The car featured a water-cooled, 2.5L flat-6 engine rated at 201 hp. A mid-engine layout provided the Boxster with a low center of gravity, near-perfect weight distribution, and neutral handling. It also shared many of the same body components as the new 911 including the same bonnet, front wings, headlights, interior and engine architecture.

In hindsight, the Boxster was the right car, at the right time, for both enthusiasts and for Porsche alike. It quickly became a hot seller and steadied the ship at Porsche, broadening the brand’s appeal to the mass market and helping to establish the foundation upon which it is so successful today. Reviewers gushed that the car was near perfect.

Last Lotus to Carry Gas Engine to Hit US Market 2022

Lotus recently let some details slide about the release of a new mid-engine sports car set to be unveiled on July 6th in Hethel, Norfolk. The new Lotus Emira will have a formal debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed taking place on July 8-11, 2021. 

The name “Emira” has translated in many different languages to “leader” or “commander” – very fitting considering the new Emira is set to replace the Lotus Elise, Exige, and Evora. Sales won’t begin until 2022 but luckily for you, the Emira will be sold in the US, unlike many previous Lotus models. With that being said, we likely won’t see the Lotus Emira hit dealerships until 2023 – but again, at least we’ll get them here. 

Lotus Emira Teaser Shot

The released teaser shots of the Emira point out that style cues come from the Evija, the brand’s $2M+ electric hypercar. The Emira also happens to be the brand’s last car with an internal combustion engine. Gathering design for the Emira from an electric car sounds a bit morbid since the Emira will be the last one holding the gasoline torch. 

Lotus Evija Front
Lotus Evija Front
Lotus Evija

The Emira will come packing a couple of different engine options in both four and six-cylinder. According to MotorAuthority, the inline-four engine will be brand new while the V6 is said to be coming out of the Exige/Evora. The 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 will pump out about 430 horsepower while the four-cylinder engine will give you 300hp. 

Lotus Emira Rear

Pricing for the new Emira will vary depending on the engine and other options and is said to range from about $75,000 and $105,000. These figures were tossed out by Phil Popham, the former Lotus CEO back in January. 

The news of the Emira is bittersweet for ICE lovers but Lotus has a lot coming out in the near future. They are said to be offering a selection of “lifestyle” autos such as the likes of a crossover.

The Lotus Elise and Exige Final Edition cars

After being in production for more than two decades, an era in the history of Lotus Cars is about to end … the iconic Elise production will end after 25 years, while the genre-creating Exige will fade out after 21 years. But the production of these important models will not end at a low, Lotus Cars created five special, lightweight,  more powerful, and better-equipped versions as their ultimate evolution.

Two new variants for the Elise and three more based on the Exige are developed for discerning customers that want to own a piece of history, these models will come with bespoke paint finish, new decals, new wheel finishes … and naturally ‘Final Edition’ badges, three of these five specials will also come with increased power.

Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition

The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition gains an extra 23bhp from a revised calibration and so replaces the Sport 220. Delivering 240bhp and 244Nm of torque, the engine has been tuned to provide stunning real-world performance and class-leading efficiency. The 0-60mph sprint is completed in 4.1 seconds thanks to a power-to-weight ratio of 260bhp per tonne. CO2 emissions of 177 g/km are extremely low for the performance on offer.

The car comes with 10-spoke Anthracite lightweight forged alloy wheels as standard (6J x 16” front and 8J x 17” rear). They’re 0.5kg lighter than the wheels on the Elise Sport 220 and shod with Yokohama V105 tires (195/50 R16 front and 225/45 R17 rear).

Further weight savings can be achieved with an extensive range of optional carbon fiber panels, including sill covers and engine cover, lithium-ion battery plus a lightweight polycarbonate rear window. With all the lightweight options chosen, the mass of the Elise Sport 240 reduces further from 922kg to 898kg.

Lotus Elise Cup 250 Final Edition

Key to the Elise Cup 250’s performance is its aerodynamics and downforce linked to its power and lightweight. With aerodynamically optimized components such as the front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser, and side floor extension, this Final Edition car produces 66kg of downforce at 100mph and 155kg of downforce at its maximum speed of 154mph.

The car is shod in new 10-spoke Diamond Cut ultra-lightweight M Sport forged wheels (7J x 16” front and 8J x 17” rear) with Yokohama A052 tires (195/50 R16 front and 225/45 R17 rear). The extensive list of standard equipment includes Bilstein sports dampers and adjustable anti-roll bars, to help maximize the aerodynamic downforce available and boost grip whilst maintaining the legendary Elise handling. Also fitted as standard is a lightweight lithium-ion battery and polycarbonate rear window.

Other lightweight carbon fiber options, as on the Elise Sport 240 Final Edition, are available reducing the mass to an unladen weight of just 931kg.

Lotus Exige Sport 390

The new Exige Sport 390 replaces the outgoing Exige Sport 350. The power increase of 47bhp comes from a revised calibration linked to the Edelbrock supercharger with chargecooling, to produce 397bhp and 420Nm. Linked to a light weight of 1,138kg, the Exige Sport 390 accelerates to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 172mph.

The advanced aerodynamics are carefully balanced, generating 70kg of downforce at the rear and 45kg up front for a total of 115kg at top speed. To put this power on to the road, the Exige Sport 390 has 10-spoke silver lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front and 10J x 18” rear) and Michelin PS4 tyres (205/45 ZR17 front and 265/35 ZR18 rear).

Lotus Exige Sport 420 Final Edition

The Exige Sport 420 Final Edition gains an extra 10bhp and replaces the outgoing Sport 410. It is the fastest Exige available, topping out at 180mph, with 0-60mph completed in 3.3 seconds. With its light weight of 1,110kg and 420bhp (giving a power to weight of 378bhp per tonne) and 427Nm from the supercharged and chargecooled V6 engine, coupled with a flat torque curve and maximum power available to maximum revs, the Exige is regarded as the most complete driving car of its class.

The list of standard equipment is impressive. Front and rear Eibach anti-roll bars are adjustable and the three-way adjustable Nitron dampers allow for different high and low speed compression settings. The car rides on 10-spoke Anthracite lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front, 10J x 18” rear) with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear). Stopping power comes from AP Racing brakes with forged, four-piston calipers and two-piece J-hook brake discs. With a higher thermal capacity and improved bite, these discs offer improved debris clearance and reduced vibration for more consistent pedal feel and greater, fade-free performance.

Lotus Exige Cup 430 Final Edition

The Cup 430 remains the range-topping Exige. Already legendary in its short lifetime, it is regarded as being one of the world’s quickest real-world sports car. It is not just suited to its driver’s favourite road, but also at home on a challenging circuit.

Chargecooled for a consistent 430bhp and capable of generating 171kg of downforce, this is the road and track car to rule them all. The radical aero package is not for show; the Exige Cup 430 generates as much downforce at 100mph as the Exige Sport 390 does at 170mph. Weighing just 1,110kg the power-to-weight ratio hits a staggering 387bhp per tonne. With 440Nm of torque from 2,600rpm, 0-60mph is completed in 3.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 174mph. Downforce is balanced at all speeds, with the car generating 76kg at the front and a further 95kg at the rear, giving a total of 171kg.

Everything about the Exige Cup 430 is focused upon performance whether that’s driving on the road or track. Every car comes with motorsport-grade carbon fibre panels include the front splitter, front access panel, roof, diffuser surround, enlarged air-intake side pods, one-piece tailgate and race-derived rear wing. In addition to revised steering arm geometry to increase bump steer, handling characteristics can be altered via the Nitron three-way adjustable dampers (high and low speed compression plus rebound adjustment) and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, both as standard. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear) are fitted to ultra-lightweight 10 spoke diamond cut lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front, 10J x 18” rear).

Braking comes via forged, four-piston AP Racing brake calipers and higher thermal capacity two-piece J-hook brake discs front and rear. The system is designed to give improved bite and reduced vibration, delivering consistent pedal feel and fade-free stopping power lap after lap.

With a high-flow titanium exhaust system as standard, the Cup 430 sounds like no other supercar at speed. Motorsport-derived variable traction control linked directly to the ECU helps maximise traction on corner exit by managing the giant surge of torque. It’s controlled via a six-position rotary switch located on the steering column. Only active with the ESP stability control switched off, the five pre-set traction levels are displayed on the instrument cluster.

When production of the Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora end later this year, the final combined production total will be in the region of 55,000 cars. Together they account for more than half of Lotus’ total road car production since the first Lotus in 1948.

Special Report: My First Lotus Experience – Goodwood SpeedWeek

The cliches are strong when it comes to Lotus. ‘It handles like a Lotus’ and ‘the steering wheel brims with feel like in a Lotus’ are phases that have peppered reviews of supercars in magazines for decades. Goodwood SpeedWeek offered up the chance for me to, finally, put the claims to the test and drive a Lotus in anger for the very first time. Could the British built sports cars really live up to the hype?

First up was an opportunity to explore the glorious roads around Goodwood in an Evora GT 410 Sport. This is the less hardcore, more road focused Evora. That being said, it’s still plenty quick – as the name would suggest, there is 410 horsepower and 410Nm of torque on tap from the 3.5 litre supercharged V6. Adding lightness is the Lotus ethos and as a result, the 1,361kg Evora with a 6-speed manual transmission will hit 100km/h in 4.2 seconds.

Our on the road initial impressions are that the GT 410 Sport feels small on the road, heading down narrow lanes in a car this size means that I felt confident in finding the limits without grimacing every time a car passed me in the opposite direction. The other overriding impression is made from the sensational exhaust note. The tone may be a touch too trumpet like, but every time the revs built so did the size of my grin. Chasing the redline is a joy, as is the gear change. The exposed linkage is a cool touch, but the real joy is in shifting that towering metal stick that rises from it. When you’re done with engaging the next gear and jump back onto the throttle, you notice something moving in the rear view mirror over your left shoulder. There is a window directly behind the driver and passenger which gives a view of the engine and the throttle linkage actuating the fuel to air ratio – a very neat touch.

Finally, there is the handling. Much like the gearshift, the steering is fabulous, as are the pedal weightings. Heeling-and-toeing takes some getting used to the as brake and throttle pedal are a couple of centimetres too far apart – the entire pedal box is a touch offset to the left, but it is not uncomfortable. The ride over the broken Chichester roads was a touch on the harsh side, but the road surface really was as bad as it gets.

Trundling back into the Goodwood Paddock, I was sad to hand the keys back, but my dejection was short lived as a Lotus Exige Cup 430 was waiting for me to hustle around the circuit. I’ve had the pleasure of driving a number of cars on track lately. From the McLaren 765LT to a Mini GP3, nothing has immediately felt as dialled in, yet entertaining as this. The mid-engined balance immediately feels sublime, the unassisted steering is a joy at speed and the pull of the 430 horsepower culminate in one of the friendliest and exciting track experiences I’ve had.

All of the feedback, from the base of the seat through to the steering feedback in my palms, is far more concentrated and communicative than any Porsche Cayman I have driven. A Cayman GTS 4.0 is the natural rival for the Cup 430, but the Porsche cannot compete when it comes to track day focus. I suspect that if you could only have one car to live with, the Porsche would be the obvious choice, but if you are looking for something better suited to learning a racetrack in, the Lotus has the Porsche on the ropes and that is not a conclusion I expected to be making. Bravo Lotus, believe the hype. Forget about the 2,000 horsepower electric hypercar race, the Evora and Exige are what Lotus and know for and do best.

2018 Lotus Exige Sport 410

Final Iteration of the Third-gen Exige

Revealed in May 2018, the new Lotus Exige Sport 410 set out to become the “ultimate road-going Exige”. The Sport 410 – not available in North America due to safety regulations – replaces the Sport 380, which replaced the Sport 350 before it.

According to Group Lotus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, the Lotus Exige Sport 410 will conclude the current-generation Lotus Exige – crushing any hopes of a Sport 440 being released in the future.

This should give us even more reason to be excited over the new Sport 410, which has ended up becoming more of a detuned, daily-driveable version of the hardcore motorsport-focused Cup 430, than merely a refreshed Sport 380. It can be said that Lotus is closing this chapter of the Exige with fireworks at the ending.

Lotus Exige Sport 410Lotus Exige Sport 410
Lotus Exige Sport 410

Lotus Exige Sport 410

The Lotus Exige Sport 410 boasts a recalibrated version of the ubiquitous supercharged Toyota 3.5L V6 engine, which has stood the test of time and been receptive to revision and innovation. In sharing chassis components with the Cup 430, the Sport 410 delivers a class-leading power to weight ratio of 389 hp/tonne, while also making it the lightest V6 Exige in the lineup.

Jean-Marc Gales further states about the new Sport 410, “We have taken the Exige Cup 430, the ultimate track-centric Exige, and developed it into the perfect road orientated sports car, ensuring that we stay ahead of rivals when it comes to cars that deliver a truly engaging analog driving experience.”

Available in both coupe and roadster configurations, the Lotus Exige Cup 430 has all the requisite DNA to be proclaimed as the ‘ultimate road car’.

Exige 430 CupExige 430 Cup
Lotus Exige Cup 430, which shares the same engine as Lotus Evora GT430

Features and Highlights

Engine & Chassis

The Edelbrock-supercharged engine produces 410-horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm. It is essentially a slightly dialed-down version of the 430-horsepower engine used in the Cup 430 – which itself, is borrowed from the Lotus Evora GT430. Mated to the mid-engine layout is a perfectly matched, close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission with exposed-gear-change linkage, delivering power to the rear wheels.

According to Lotus, the Sport 410 achieves 0-60 mph in a remarkable 3.3 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 180 mph in the coupe version.

Lotus Exige Sport 410 Interior

Lotus Exige Sport 410 Interior

Nitron dampers, Eibach adjustable anti-roll bars, AP Racing four-pot calipers and J-hook rotors, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires – complete the harmonization of chassis and engine to provide the car with the balance, agility, performance, and feedback befitting of the ultimate road-going Exige.

Interior & Exterior Design

Lotus has the credentials to rightfully refer to itself as the “leader in lightweight design”, and the new Sport 410 is a spot-on amalgamation of that claim.

Lotus Exige Sport 410 wheel

Lotus Exige Sport 410 wheel

At just 1,074 kg, the Sport 410 is distinctive in its appearance thanks to a plethora of carbon fiber adornments from front to back – the front splitter, air curtains, side pods and a large high-mounted rear wing among the beneficiaries of this treatment.

Wider aperture grilles in the new ‘front clam panel’ and an aggressive aluminum rear diffuser help to reduce turbulence caused by airflow under the chassis, also while minimizing drag. The overall aerodynamic configuration enables the Sport 410 to generate 150 kg of downforce (60kg at front, 90kg at rear).

Lotus Exige Sport 410 Back

Lotus Exige Sport 410 Back

The interior, like the rest of the car, remains focused on weight reduction and performance, but still provides adequate consideration for the quality of fit, finish and functionality. Alcantara finishings come standard on the steering wheel, center console, and dashboard, while the carbon fiber backed sport seats can be upholstered in either an Alcantara/leather combo or full leather.

Lotus Exige Sport 410 Seats

Lotus Exige Sport 410 Seats

Also available are a variety of motorsport-centric options which include fire extinguisher controls, airbag deletion, non-airbag steering wheel, 4-point racing harnesses and an FIA-compliant roll cage.

Verdict

In my opinion, the Lotus Exige Sport 410 has proven to be exactly what it has set out to be – the ultimate road-going Exige.

The fact that it is easily manageable on both street and circuit – while providing a deeply driver-involved experience – is what makes the Sport 410 such an inspiring car. In an age where even the most hardcore, one-off production cars are still expected to roleplay to the demands of daily driving, the Lotus Sport 410 pulls off this difficult feat with class.

That doesn’t mean that the car has become soft, dull or mainstream by any means; after all, it is still a Lotus, and it is still an Exige, and the engineers ensured that this remained apparent in every regard. What this means is that you get a car that is ultimately diminutive, difficult to get in and out of, and nothing short of mental on the racetrack – and now, more accommodating than ever for your runs to the grocery store or trek to the office.

Like fireworks at the end of a celebration, the Lotus Exige Sport 410 sets the stage for a fitting finale to one of the greatest driver’s cars ever made.

Lotus Exige Sport 410

Lotus Exige Sport 410

Specifications and Performance Summary

Pricing and Model Info

Make Lotus
Model Exige
Generation 2018 – Present
Sub-Model Sport 410
Car type Coupe or Roadster
Category Series Production Car
Built At Hethel UK
Base Price (UK) £85,600

Chassis and Powertrain

Curb Weight 1,074 kg (1,054 kg with all possible lightweight options)
Layout Mid-engine
Driven wheels Rear-wheel drive
Suspension

Lotus-tuned, Nitron three-way dampers, adjustable for rebound (24 click adjustment settings) and low-speed compression (24 click adjustment settings) and high-speed compression (16 click adjustment settings) and Nitron springs

Unequal length, lightweight steel double wishbone suspension (front)

Unequal length, lightweight forged aluminum, double wishbone suspension (rear)

Adjustable Eibach® tubular front and rear anti-roll bars

Brakes Servo assisted, race-derived, lightweight two-piece J-hook ventilated brake discs (front 332 mm x 32 mm, rear 332 mm x 26 mm) and AP Racing four-piston calipers
Engine V6
Aspiration Edelbrock-supercharged
Valves 24-valve
Lubrication Baffled Sump
Cooling Water-cooled
Displacement 3.5 Litres
Transmission

6-speed manual transmission, with gearbox cooler, coupled to Lotus’ precision shift aluminum mechanism

Lightweight, single-mass, low inertia flywheel and 240 mm diameter clutch

Tires Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (front 215/45 ZR17, rear 285/30 ZR18)

Engine Output

Power 410 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Power / liter 117 hp / liter
Power-to-weight ratio 389 hp / tonne
Torque 310 lb-ft @ 3,000 to 7,000 rpm

Performance

0-60 mph 3.3 seconds
0-100 km/h 3.4 seconds
Max speed (coupe) 180 mph (290 km/h)
Aerodynamic performance at maximum speed 150 kg (Front: 60 kg; Rear: 90 kg)

Photo Gallery