Performance Review: Lotus Exige GT3 1.8 16v Supercharged - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Exige Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Exige GT3 1.8 16v Supercharged is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Lotus Exige has a 1796cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Exige shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. 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 930 kgs (2050 lbs) this makes the Lotus Exige GT3 1.8 16v Supercharged in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Lotus Exige shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 271 bhp (202 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Supercharged St4 throws out 190 lb-ft (257.6 Nm) @ 7000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo (316.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Exige.

The Lotus Exige has a Power to weight ratio of 291.3 bhp per ton and 204.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Exige competing with the 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo (316.3 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS-R 6.2 V8 (315.4 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 204.3 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 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 (229.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is (229.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Lotus Exige GT3 1.8 16v Supercharged as fast as the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Lotus Exige GT3 1.8 16v Supercharged is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Exige and the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS 4.8 V8

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Exige on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.45 secs @ 109.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS 4.8 V8 (12.39 secs), the 2013 Peugeot RCZ R 1.6 Turbo (12.39 secs), and the 1999 Lotus Exige S1 1.8 16v (12.40 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Lotus Exige GT3 1.8 16v Supercharged has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Exige equals the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Lotus Exige GT3 1.8 16v Supercharged then how about the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph), the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (171 mph), or the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (171 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Exige Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison