Performance Review: Lotus Exige 360 Cup 3.5 V6 - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Exige Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Exige 360 Cup 3.5 V6 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.This particular Lotus Exige has a 3456cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Exige shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Exige's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1130 kgs (2491 lbs) this makes the Lotus Exige 360 Cup 3.5 V6 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Exige shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3456cc 24V V6 engine produces 355 bhp (264 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Supercharged V6 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lotus Exige you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (339.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Exige.

The Lotus Exige has a Power to weight ratio of 314.1 bhp per ton and 261.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 Exige competing with the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (339.1 bhp per ton) or the 2016 Aston-Martin DB11 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (338.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lotus Exige generating around 261.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2 V8 2d (286.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mercedes G Class 65 AMG (286.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Lotus Exige 360 Cup 3.5 V6 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Lotus Exige 360 Cup 3.5 V6 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Exige and the 2006 Mercedes CL Class 600 Coupe Bi Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Exige on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.08 secs @ 113.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Mercedes CL Class 600 Coupe Bi Turbo (12.03 secs), the 2002 Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 (12.03 secs), and the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 6.0 V8 (12.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the Lotus Exige 360 Cup 3.5 V6 has a maximum speed of 170mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 Exige equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2017 Lotus Exige 360 Cup 3.5 V6 then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph), the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (181 mph), or the 2019 Aston-Martin DBX 4.0 V8 Turbo (181 mph).

Related Links:

2017 Exige Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison