“Adding power makes you faster on the straights, subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere,” Colin Chapman famously said. That's why the Exige S1 weighs only 760 kg. Some sports cars carry double the weight. The extremely low weight ensures a driving experience that only few cars can match. This Collectable is an Exige from the first series, which makes this a very rare car. Only 604 examples of the Exige S1 were built.
The first Exige debuted in 2000 as the hardtop version of the Elise. However, the Exige is much more than Elise with a hardtop. The Exige has been made sharper on all levels. For starters, the Exige has the same engine variant as the Lotus 340R, the 'Very High Performance Derivative'. This version of the 1.8 liter four-cylinder produces 179 hp instead of the 118 hp of a standard Elise.
Of course, this number has to be seen in light of the weight: the car weighs only 760 kg. The Exige accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4,9 seconds. Impressive, but in reality it feels even faster in a pure sports car like the Exige. Not that this car is about speed in a straight line: this Lotus really flourishes on the twisty bits.
The close ratio gearbox and the steering rack with (even) shorter gearing compared to the Elise are partly responsible for this. The track width has also been increased (+14 mm at the front, +36 mm at the rear) and an impressive spoiler, which comes from the Esprit Sport 350, has been installed for additional downforce.
Further aerodynamic adjustments have been made in the shape of a front spoiler and the roof scoop. Of course these are functional additions, but they also ensure that the Exige looks as hardcore as it feels. In this car you shouldn't expect luxury like air conditioning. That's just unnecessary weight, isn't it?
This particular Exige is originally from England and was right-hand drive. The car has been converted to a left-hand drive by Lotus dealer Wilson's in Romford for it's second (German) owner. Since 2007 it has been in the hands of the current Dutch owner, a true Lotus enthusiast. It has less than 60,000 km on the odometer and the car received extensive maintenance 800 km ago. This Lotus is in excellent condition, both technically and optically.
This is a true Lotus, so the car is only equipped with the minimum necessary. No ABS, no airconditioning, just windsheidl wipers and a heater,
The car was originally right-hand drive, but has been converted to left-hand drive about 15 years ago. This was carried out by Lotus dealer Wilson's in Romford. Apart from that, the car is original.
Possible signs of use are visible in the photos::
The car received extensive maintenance at 34.000 miles in 2020 (oil, spark plugs, filters, timing belt, multi-belt, lambda sensor, brake pads, brake hoses replaced, engine adjusted and Koni shock absorber units completely overhauled). The latter was done by Verbaas Preparations from Oud-Beijerland, the rest was done by a technician from Lotus Club Holland. Furthermore, the car has had a small service every year with the MOT.
This Exige is accident free. Due to stone chips and minor damage to the rear right fender, the car was completely resprayed in 2012. To protect the car against stone chips, the car is treated with transparent foil up to a height of approximately 50 cm.
The owner would like to say that the Exige S1 is his childhood dream. However, when the Exige S1 was launched he was 49, so it can hardly be called a childhood dream. He dreamed about owning this car when he attended the introduction of the Exige at the Lotus dealership. At the time the car was more expensive than his house. Years later, his dream became reality.
He is a true Lotus fanatic, a passion he shares with his son. The fact that in addition to the Exige S1 an Elise S1, a Seven S4 and an Elan S2 can be found in his garage says it all. Unfortunately, the owner is getting older, which makes getting in and out a bit more challenging. That requires some acrobatics with an Exige. That is why the owner decided to sell his Exige.
Seller - Frans
Seller type - Private
Location - The Netherlands
VIN - SCCGA1111YHC80034
Year of production - 2001
Mileage - 34.500 miles
NAP - No, imported from England
Warranty - No
Body type - Coupé
Engine - 1,8 liter inline-four with 179 hp
Lay-out - Rear wheel drive
Transmission - Manual
Exterior colour - New Aluminium (B35)
Interior colour - Black
Upholstery - Leather
Smoker's car - No
Owners - Three (including current)
Tires - Toyo Proxe front (6 mm), Yokohama Advan rear (5 mm)
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