Performance Review: Lotus Exige S 1.8 Supercharged - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lotus Exige Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lotus Exige S 1.8 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 935 kgs (2061 lbs) this makes the Lotus Exige S 1.8 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 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 218 bhp (162 kW) @ 7800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Supercharged St4 throws out 159 lb-ft (215.5 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (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 1995 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 (258.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lotus Exige.

The Lotus Exige has a Power to weight ratio of 233.1 bhp per ton and 170.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Exige competing with the 1995 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR1 (258.0 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 (257.9 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 170.0 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 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (195.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (195.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.2 secs, this made the Lotus Exige S 1.8 Supercharged as fast as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs). This Lotus Exige S 1.8 Supercharged is also faster than the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs) the and the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Exige and the 1994 Toyota Celica GT Four ST205

When talking about the performance of the Lotus Exige on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.4 secs @ 102.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1994 Toyota Celica GT Four ST205 (13.34 secs), the 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i (13.34 secs), and the 1969 Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air (13.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Lotus Exige S 1.8 Supercharged has a maximum speed of 148mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Exige equals the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Lotus Exige S 1.8 Supercharged then how about the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (159 mph), the 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 (159 mph), or the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (159 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Exige Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lotus

Car Comparison