Currently reading: Lotus Exige S roadster confirmed in video
A video confirming production of the Lotus Exige S roadster, the company's fastest drop top, has been released

The 145mph Lotus Exige S roadster, the fastest drop top the manufacturer has ever built, has been confirmed in a new video. The new model will go on sale this summer.

It will be the first Exige model to be offered with a factory-fitted soft-top roof and shares the same 3.5-litre V6 engine as the Exige S coupe.

The unit produces 345bhp at 7000rpm and 295lb ft at 4500rpm, meaning the Exige S roadster — which weighs 10kg less than the coupe — is capable of 0-60mph in 3.8sec and reaches 100mph from a standing start in 8.5sec. Its top speed has been reduced from the coupe's 170mph to 145mph.

A six-speed manual gearbox will be offered as standard, but the Exige S is available with the Norfolk-based firm’s Serial Precision Shift (SPS) paddle-operated automated manual transmission. Fuel economy for the manual gearbox variant is a claimed 28mpg, with CO2 emissions of 236g/km.

As with the £52,900 hard-top Exige S, an optional race pack is available and adds track-optimised suspension settings and launch control. There are also two cabin options: one more comfort-oriented and the other more stripped down and sporty. 

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Hethel goes back to basics with its Lotus Exige, which makes for a capable track day machine, but one less refined than its direct rivals on the road

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DS240 1 May 2013

Why I sold my lotus and went to Porsche

I loved my Elise, and was set to buy an exige. But I got sick of trying to second guess a. Will company survive b. what path are they taking with their models.

The Exige was always the harder coupe version of the Elise. You have always been able to undo a few screws and turn your exige into a convertible/targa.

So this is just the exige with the Elise roof or a more easily removable hard top.

Exige model diluted.

Would it be that hard for lotus to have a decent 3 model range. Base Elise, sub boxster entry level up to pace of boxster s. Exige to take on caymen. New sports car to take on 911 market. Less special editions.

TheWizardWeb 1 May 2013

Bit confused...

Isn't an open top Exige an Elise? 

Big S 1 May 2013

Exactly..

"The Lotus Exige is a two-door, two-seat sports car made by Lotus Cars since 2000. It is essentially a coupé version of the Lotus Elise"

BadgerChap 30 April 2013

Eh?

Judging by the Godawful panel fit on the Exige S, you can presumably convert that to a Roadster yourself using a spanner and a bit of force.

Time for something else please Lotus!  Look at how well Aston are getting on with developing new products.

Oh, wait...