The New Lotus Exige Sport 350 Drops 100 Pounds, Keeps the Same Power

Sometimes, to make something fast, you just have to use good old physics.


Today, Lotus announced a lighter version of the Exige (which doesn't come here anymore) called the Exige Sport 350. While the 345-hp from the 3.5-liter V6 remains unchanged, Lotus trimmed off 112 pounds from the car by giving it a lighter battery, engine mounts, center console, and HVAC pipework. That means it weighs just 2480 pounds, which is rather impressive.

The Sport 350's gets to 60 in 3.7 seconds, about one tenth of a second faster than the old car and can hit a top speed of 170 mph. And hey, you can option your interior to have this fashionable Tartan trim, first introduced in the original 1976 Lotus Esprit.


This move falls in line with Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales' plan to stick with Colin Chapman's design philosophy of adding lightness. Whereas most cars today are made faster by adding power, Lotus has left the power alone and made things lighter. It's a simple way to improve performance that we very much approve of.

The Sport 350 will not be making an appearance in the U.S. (shocker, I know). Lotus has priced it at £55,900 (approximately $85,000).

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