375bhp Lotus Exige ups the punch

The £67,900 newcomer is more than just about upping power, though that badge change from 350 to 380 does indicate how many extra horses Lotus has managed to squeeze out of the Toyota-sourced V6 (380hp/PS equals 375bhp in case you were wondering).

More power alone is never the Hethel solution and the 380 Sport is predictably both lighter and with significantly more downforce than the 350 Sport, which continues in the range.

A repeat visit to Lotus’s “Lightweight Laboratory” has shaved almost 30kg off the 350 Sport’s weight, with the bulk of the savings made by installing carbon race seats, lithium-ion battery and forged wheels with grooved two-piece brake discs. Other weight-saving measures include a polycarbonate rear window.

When fitted with all the lightweight carbon options available for the car, dry weight is down to 1,066kg for a stirring power-weight ratio of 352bhp per tonne. No surprise then this fastest-ever Exige in manual form gets from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds (a tenth of a second quicker than the 350 Cup model) and tops out at 178mph. 

The other big change over the 350 is a “fine-tuned” aerodynamic package that’s said to deliver 140kg of downforce at maximum speed – 60 percent more than is on offer in the 350 Sport. It’s been achieved by aero tweaking that includes pairs of canard wings up front, a revised carbon rear wing and air blades behind the rear wheels. It all helps reduce air pressure under the car while not increasing drag.

Other changes? Larger 48-litre fuel tank, wider front Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 front tyres, black headlight surrounds and a tweaked rear end design, and there’s an option of Track Pack with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars. As standard, the 380 comes as a convertible but a fixed-head version is available as an option. Other options include exterior carbon and design packs and, from spring 2017, a new six-speed automatic with paddle-shift. 

You would have to think twice about going for the auto. Have you seen the exquisitely engineered open-gate manual box in the Exige? It gets our vote. As Lotus says, the new car is “unashamedly analogue… without sterile interfaces to dull the undiluted driving experience”.

Long may that continue.