Lotus V6 Exige Komo-Tec 460 Review: Ferrari F40 Numbers for Porsche Boxster Money

[@JayEmmOnCars]

CarVertical: The History Checking Service Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount! www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?b=1e4c9523&a=JayEmm&voucher=jayemm&chan=jayemm

[@clownworld-honk410]

Approx 500 bhp in a light'ish car is the sweet spot... This car, the GT3 etc. I'd take one of these over a heavy 600 BHP + brute all day long.

[@hexgraphica]

A couple of time attack exiges had 500 bhp and were always the fastest when not having troubles

[@Inazuma68]

My GT3 has 381 PS and gives you a smile whenever you drive it.

[@Lukey-jy4ez]

My 135hp Elise is still pure joy on the road 😅

[@tyler9703]

I'm sorry, what is your definition of "sweet spot"? This is still an absurd amount of power for a road car, especially one weighting this little.

[@shadmonk]

isnt a gt3 1500kg?

[@julianevans9548]

The Exige sounds excellent, I think. And relatively light, and a manual. Far more fun, I'd imagine, than a DSG 700bhp, much heavier car.

[@vladx2]

Hi everyone! Vlad, the owner here. Ask me anything (except why I ended up spending 991 GT3 money on it...)

[@norcalprojects]

Do you enjoy taking the roof off sometimes? Or do you strictly keep it on? (Elise & Emira owner in California)

[@kazma6866]

0-100?

[@vladx2]

@@norcalprojects I did a few times, but the hardtop is a 2-person job to take off and doesn’t fit anywhere in the car. In California you can just leave it at home. In Scotland, we get 4 seasons in a single day, so it’s not ideal to leave without a roof. You can fit the soft-top clips from the Roadster version that fit the same soft-top as the Elise which can roll up pretty tight and fit in the boot, but I kept the original hardtop on the Exige for chassis stiffness and bought an old Boxster instead

[@vladx2]

@@kazma6866 I didn’t measure it myself, but others say the EX460 should do it in 3.8 seconds.

[@georgemayson4936]

Just wanted to pop on here and say I have driven this exact car with Vlad up over Glenshee and it is still the most challenging/scary/exciting car I have ever driven - and I've driven JayEmm's F12 at Glenshee in the sleet 😅 Vlad, it's an awesome thing and the best high you can get without actually taking drugs 😂

[@mrpearce5420]

Another fantastic lotus vid Jay, thank you. Off the back of your earlier lotus videos I finally took the plunge on a 390 Final Edition a few weeks ago. What a fantastic car and IMHO 397bhp is more than enough power to safely make good progress on road but I wouldn't criticise those who want more! The 390 is the very best of both worlds with all the 410 drivetrain and cooling enhancements but retaining the road suspension balance from the 350. As a former Porsche 718 Cayman GTS owner a few things strike me: - the Exige driving experience is much more engaging and thrilling - Lotus ownership is much more enjoyable and interesting: much more positive attention and genuine interest from all walks of life, and genuinely nice and involving owners club and forum members - the dealers are very obviously disengaged from their heritage models

[@Justthreepedals]

Have a 420 FE… and like you love it… cancelled my 911 order for it…. Driving it is always a special event…

[@danielman889]

The ride quality on the road is better with the 4xx Nitrons than with the standard bilsteins

[@Punisher9419]

I'm kind of surprised Lotus didn't have an intercooler for the car from the factory. Every turbo and supercharged car should really have one.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

They did it in the 80s!

[@EvoraGT430]

It does; it has a built-in chargecooler in the supercharger assembly.

[@markgtrheyes]

I believe the later 410 & 430 models did

[@EuropaSman]

Regarding the silent indicators, the instrument pack doesn't make the clicking noise. For some reason Lotus decided to fit a silent flasher relay made by Perei to the Elise S3 and Exige V6 up to around 2017 when they changed to the open shifter on both cars. It's a £10 5 minute fix. I did it on my Elise S3.

[@evansc3580]

What a shame Lotus stopped the Elise/Exige platform. Really worried about their electric only future.

[@AntoniusTyas]

Don't worry. They'll end up being Geely's sub-brand in Europe if their current trend continues. Not that I hate Chinese brands, but Lotus aren't helping themselves by shunning their 'long-time' fanbase.

[@john1703]

Anyone else think that selling EVs is like selling white goods on wheels. Not for enthusiasts who tolerate the flaws. As JM said "the factory is less than helpful".

[@marsmellow1589]

@@AntoniusTyas They absolutely butchered the design of the EV cars. It`s just chinese crap design that doesnt make sense. It`s not a Lotus at all. Chinese shit. The only brand that survided the Chinese takeover is Volvo. They still look like Volvos. On the other hand, without this capital Lotus wouldnt have survived i suppose.

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

They'll never make another car like this or the Elise. Just not possible as electric :(

[@tomindenver1331]

Love seeing that Harrop TVS supercharger. They are bulletproof. I've got a Harrop 1320 with an air to water intercooler on my '05 Elise along with a bunch of other stuff provided by BOE Engineering-they're the Komo-Tec of the U.S. It's a fantastic set-up. The longer you own an Elise or Exige, the more likely you are to tweak it-it's like an addiction. 19 years and counting for me. James, you need one.

[@LueysGarage]

Having owned a 390 Final Edition for over 2 years now I can say they are the best bang for buck driver's car you can possibly buy with close to 400HP from factory. The sensation of speed and drama of driving the thing is really hard to match by anything else in even close to the same price bracket. Just putting in a less restrictive air intake goes a long way to getting that 460 number without the additional cost. Its a car that will teach you how to drive properly! It'll also outlast most of the competition due to just how simple and easy it is to work on.

[@m11ny]

I agree 100% Luey, its a blast to drive. However i wouldnt say its easy to work on, as the rear of the car is quite wide & reaching over the hatch is sometimes annoying (especially when youre not trying to damage the paint haha) even when you have to contort yourself trying to fix the infamous brake pedal sensor. Love your videos mate, keep it up.

[@LueysGarage]

@@m11ny I guess it's all relative, maybe I should say it's possible to work on the car at home 🤣

[@samueldowney2806]

Fancy seeing you here Luan! Have you put a different intake on yours then? I know it comes from a Rav4 or whatever, but i like how the SC is virtually silent in mine. A more open intake would surely make it more audible.

[@LueysGarage]

​@@samueldowney2806 yes it will make the supercharger more audible but just open the exhaust flap and you won't hear a thing anymore ;)

[@samueldowney2806]

@@LueysGarage haha true! ;)

[@johnbecker70]

True about Lotus seats. The only thing uncomfortable on long trips is maintaining a steady speed with no cruise control.

[@wiskunst]

My S2 Exige British GT edition came with a LSD as standard. Just to correct what you've said about Lotus never putting a LSD on an Exige. great video, thanks!

[@howardg186]

And the Roger Becker edition methinks???

[@jedifar]

100% fully support you getting an Exige...would love to see some content on it

[@johngregg401]

So I saw the run out 390 sport final edition in white in a supermarket car park. Got chatting to the guy and JayEmm on cars came up and he sighted the channel as a reason for buying it. What a machine ❤

[@PeteAnda]

Love that mantra. Interesting in driving, then Lotus. Gone, but not forgotten.I am old and tall but keep fit to ensure I can still drive one. It’s worth it. Plenty of time left to give up on driving and life.

[@R-Tap]

That paint job is nothing short of badass.

[@seanpeterlynch]

Love the lotus material. Highlight of any week. Just got my first, Emira

[@Harpreet06]

I love how this car looks

[@kjwilson862]

Great video as usual 👍 Would just to point out something that may have been overlooked on this and many wonderful small fast cars. For what it’s worth I’m 65 yrs old and still fit enough to drive fast cars… my point is 1 i always have to chuckle to myself when seeing people struggling just to get into the drivers seat, 2nd point about gear lever getting in the way of leg. Now I know I’m nit picking, but not only am I 65yrs old but weight 50kilos, approx 8stone and 5ft 1inch … I promise you all getting in and out of any car is not an issue, equally gear lever driving position is therefore likely to be compromised is your your larger gent/ lady imo… just saying so don’t shoot me. 🤷🏻‍♂️😎

[@mjki2cl2]

Chargecooler not intercooler. Brake switch is a known issue. £65 from Seriously Lotus. Defo get that sorted to maximise the enjoyment of the car. Easy self install job

[@EvoraGT430]

Oh yeah those brake switches are a real PITA.

[@marknash6307]

Just been out in my S2 Elise. What ever power/ platform you have they are just brilliant drivers cars. A great review of a superb car. My first, but not my last lotus for sure

[@playwithcars]

Another great vid jay. I am always wanted your full take on the 2010+ Exige S240/260 range. I tot i knew them. But until i got one myself recently they feel quite drastically different from a S2 Elise SC. Quite manic in comparison.

[@ML-ws6ce]

With this kind of cars I started watching your channel..........and every time I go to the "Ring" I pass their showroom....

[@Canadian_Gamer]

A bit off topic but I gotta say (and this is coming from a Canadian), I love the Emira. If I could afford one. I would buy one over a Cayman or a Boxster. They are so unique.

[@AloneRacecar]

The Lotus Exige is a sweet trackday car! 🤘

[@drew699]

Exige is no more of a ‘lash up’ than an F40, a 90’s Lambo or a 959. Exige is a raw, pure, visceral, gloriously fun & special car. Lotus is the benchmark regardless of budget.

[@andrewbox8984]

I agree with you James, an Exige would fit well in your fleet...and that Sunday morning drive 😁

[@MrAjjm65]

First! Wow, my life is now complete. Got here before the sexy arsed bots even woke up.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Lazy lazy bots

[@umit666]

LOTUS TIME BABYYY MY DREAM CAR EXIGEE

[@zzhughesd]

Took my Exige ( removed passenger seat ) to Dolomites. The small tank was annoying. About 200-225 miles memory entire tank !!!

[@dkfournier6975]

An excellent point about thinking you're doing 90 but doing '60'. Unless you're racing (and clearly only on a track), why would you want anything different? All the smiles and no points at risk.

[@johncarlo2630]

Fabulous cars these V6 Exiges are. It’s such a shame we couldn’t get the road version here in the states, silly smart air bag regs. Meanwhile there are golf carts on the roads here in the states, especially in Florida

[@bispal]

Great video James and well done to Vlad 👍🏻 I had a 350 and priced up all the KT work and concluded near £80k so instead bought a used 430CUP on premise it would be more cost effective, and it was. I have driven KT cars and they are fantastic. The biggest difference between the 350 and 430 is the suspension sophistication. I think a 350 Roadster with 3 way nitrons would be excellent. The 430CUP was also a lot better finished, I think they spent more time on it to justify the price point. The exige does have its flaws, one too many for me, but that's what gives them character. Finding the sweet spot somewhere between an exige V6 and a 718/981 spyder is my goal, not found it yet.....

[@davidjameswaters-marsh2073]

So, I was watching this a listening to the history bit and it jogged a long forgotten memory. I remember reading about an experiment chassis that lotus developed in the early 2000’s that had the front of a s2 Elise and then a custom rear subframe, it was developed for Hennessy I believe to build there car but this was not stated in the magazine article. It was engineered o fit multiple different engine configurations. Was that chassis involved in the development of the Eovra, or have you not come across it in your research? Keep making great content and more on the GT4 would be greatly appreciated from a st185 previous owner. Thank you.

[@Inazuma68]

I almost ended up buying a special JPS version 5 years ago, but the seller wanted almost CHF 80k which was too much in my opinion so I ended up buying a 996.2 GT3. I don‘t care which one is faster because they both give you a wonderful feeling of speed. Maybe the Porsche is a bit more practical but for sure the GT3 is better from a financial point because prices are very stable. However both of them will be remembered in tears, when everybody is driving electrical….

[@sethmcguinness3153]

Best music out of all the car channels.

[@chrisnic8894]

Absolutely love my Sport 380, so pleased to have the opportunity to own one.

[@LotusEliseNZ]

You really need to drive an S1 Exige. It's FAR more different to a standard S1 Elise than an S2 Exige is to an S2 Elise. An S2 Exige is little more than a 111R with a hardtop, then they later bolted a supercharger onto the Exige (then later on, the Elise too). The S1 Exige was basically a "stradale" version of the Motorsport Elise race car, thereas the S2 Exige was a genuine production car. Harder to own as a lot of the minor "Exige" bits on the S1(bracketry etc) are very much race car parts so they rust etc.... but they're very very much more special than an Elise. I've got both and I'd part with neither.

[@chrisboy28]

Can you please test a ultima gtr or ultima can-am!? That would be one of the best cars on your channel so far. Believe me. I own one. Best wishes from Hamburg, Germany👍

[@rv9990]

Great video again Jay. Thanks. Would love to see you review a KTM XBOW!

[@garethholden301]

Flighty is how I would describe my old 410 Exige, very quick but bottom clenching on the road, compared to the 981 Spyder that replaced it which could be driven down the same road 10 mph faster one handed while smoking a pipe.

[@RobertRedford77]

Watch also Steve Sutcliffe AutoExpress..only manual (with many misshifts) Exige 430 Cup vs Ford GT...vs...911 GT2...vs...AMG GT R......only 1.6 secs slower around Anglessey !!!!!

[@longtailgt]

17:45 holy shit you just passed a Galant VR-4! What a lovely spot! You don't see those very often, especially not in Europe (or America). 21:35 and a Q7 V12 TDI!

[@AntoniusTyas]

Exige S3 is still in my bucket list of dream car. My perfect one would be a Cup 430 in Toxic Green, Liquid Orange your friend's old Exige Cup 430 or Liquid Yellow like the one you reviewed in 2018(? 2017? I forgot). Up until last year I've never even seen any Exige S3 since Lotus failed to sell any meaningful numbers of cars in Indonesia, but then someone I knew brought his Cup 430 Final Edition and my goodness it is one hell of a looker, even if it was in a rather subdued spec of Elise Grey. If only I can import one secondhand easily...

[@yogiguitar1]

its a nice sporty car. i wouldnt mind one at all

[@matthewhope831]

My Exige has 550hp at 8000rpm and weighs 1100kg. It’s a LOT of fun!

[@rogerpayne5336]

This car flat out on the german autobahn will make you cry for your mommy !......As seen on another channel. Fast car.

[@PakdbyCellpak]

That pick-up from 15:01 sounds properly sportsbike quick !! So used to LHD Lotus’s the accelerator pedal next to the centre ‘tunnel’ looks so odd.

[@cameronharrison9835]

Fantastic video

[@zzhughesd]

15:20. Crap. That sounds / looks exciting. Much more than my old 350 V6. Wow wow we wah

[@stephenbrown1423]

Get back into a Lotus ! You know you what to to 😎

[@zzhughesd]

First video not played double speed in 2 years. Ex Exige S owner x2.

[@juanesteban8827]

Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere. - Colin Chapman

[@madarauchiha1218]

I'd love the alignment specs on this car with the bit of toe out and what not! Might be fun for my elise

[@PeteAnda]

Great car. Great review.

[@frgc6159]

What a car! Thank you Jay

[@Garage12]

So very nearly bought a red sport 350 and still regret not doing it, different climate now so can't justify having one now, maybe one day 😢

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Passion!!!!

[@UweCaspart]

Wonder how u get in and out of this car? Do u have someone assisting u?

[@BionicRusty]

Is this the racer which measured 8 foot wide? I remember reading a piece on that and fell in love with it immediately.

[@mrpearce5420]

No all Exige are 1800mm wide (about 5ft 9in)

[@kierencheung3788]

still holding my breath for the aston update!

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY! 🙏🙏 Anyone know how Komo-tec got over the driveshaft or gearbox limitations Lotus said stopped it giving these cars more power?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I don't think they did...

[@eric-wb7gj]

@@JayEmmOnCars 🙏🙏 Oooh...

[@EvoraGT430]

Yeah, they didn't. Good luck!

[@umit666]

I am expecting to Exige Type 79, 25, 49, 430 Final Edition please

[@ChrisDavidson88]

Not long now James and you'll be calling this channel "Your garage" 😉😊

[@Will_M600]

i hope i can drive one of these or similar one day

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

The camera gear will fit in the front footwell Shirley

[@Suprahampton]

I am serious...and don't call me Shirley

[@funtrain23]

This is great!

[@SimonRockman]

I always expected that there would be an Evora 500.

[@mightymeatball8535]

Where you at the ferrari challenge at snetterton on sunday mate

[@Finkjam]

Yup, if you just like to drive....then these things are incredible. So engaging, so addictive. So much so, I'm going out in mine right now. Another top video and as I'm in the Highlands maybe one day I'll pass you Vlad :)

[@Yhyujss]

Just wondering why don't i see these or lotus more on British roads. Is that a wrap the matt black looks so sweet

[@vladx2]

It's matte paint, not a wrap. It's got PPF on the front half but it's all factory matte paint

[@giovannibinaghi9729]

Hey Jay, what do you think about the obscure Lotus Europa?

[@johseb1]

True love.

[@Sveta-private]

for a second there I had a feelin of deja vu

[@Cloxxki]

Isn't it weird that the GMA T.50 is way lighter than F40, seats 3, has aircon and has loads more power and sounds more F1-ey?

[@AntoniusTyas]

It's not that weird. Development in both lightweight material technology and structural engineering and manufacturing has moved so far forward from the days of F40. From tubular steel chassis draped in carbon-kevlar skin and steel subframe to full carbon-fibre safety cell with carbon-fibre bodywork, lightweight subframe and lightweight small engine of T.50, it is a testament of how far we've come in terms of science. GMA's engineers really deserves to be applauded for their work.

[@alexandernezhivoy5378]

360 thousand subscribers is a joke. The rest is missing soooo much with this quality of content.

[@peanutsarehairy]

Does anyone have the width of one of these from mirror to mirror? I'm trying to see if it will fit in the garage and be able to get out

[@cafe405]

Err.......did you forget about the Atom?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

In which regard?

[@barneyrubble9309]

Not really the same thing at all.

[@OzzyM1998]

Been looking at these daily the past year... need to bite the bullet!! Slight problem tho importing one into Ireland, would make it stupid expensive....

[@Celica555]

Is there not a small bunch of hardened Lotus owners in Ireland to help and advise you? Linders used to be a Lotus dealership at one time!

[@OzzyM1998]

@@Celica555 There is, mostly with older Elise’s/exiges. The newest lotus I know registered in Ireland is a 2010 Evora! The problem is cost unfortunately, customs, vat and registration tax would make one of those £40k exiges mentioned upwards of €80/90k in Ireland 😕 There is a new dealer set up for the emiras and electric ones. They have 2 emiras currently for sale for €170k!!

[@Celica555]

Wow, that's a lot of money even by our Irish standards. Always loved the Esprits and was offered a V8TT back in 2008 for €16000!!! I've also been in the James Bond submarine Esprit back in the early 80's in the RDS!!. My neighbour here in Dublin 24 had an Elise for a while and took it around Mondello a few times but soon moved it on as he got a bit older,nothing to do with the car. Hope you get to have a Lotus sooner rather than later as they seem awesome and obviously has left a lasting impression on many petrolheads including James! CheeRS

[@OzzyM1998]

@@Celica555 Yea they use to be crazy cheap, I remember Elises regularly being advertised around 5/6k, if only I wasnt 15 at the time haha

[@Celica555]

Well I was 35yrs old in 2008 with a mortgage and had bought my Sierra Cosworth two years earlier, but still regret not trying to convince my now wife that the Esprit would be a good investment!

[@johnnygreen5642]

Europe has the old world look

[@Suprahampton]

This engine in an Evora/Emira??

[@Satori-Automotive]

19:15 can someone please put a Porsche GT3 RS engine in this car? Or the flatplane V8 from the RUF RGT-8 (which was around 28kg lighter then the 6 cylinder engine of its generation)

[@traviswalker8933]

It will disturb the weight distribution.

[@Satori-Automotive]

@@traviswalker8933 have u heard what he has said? Depending on how it is planted into the back it will make the weight distribution better and the center of gravity lower.

[@traviswalker8933]

@@Satori-Automotive the V8 will be too much for it. The flat-6 I can agree on.

[@richardharrold9736]

​@@traviswalker8933the V8 would be lighter!

[@richardharrold9736]

​@@Satori-AutomotiveI'd go Judd with an Xtrac transaxle. Lightweight and high performance.

[@nickslotus9490]

You should just buy one!

[@magnusdanielsson2749]

I dont quite see it. Seem like a sub optimized car. A lighter more optimized na engine with more care put into lightening the car and better suspension. 280-300 hp from an carefully tuned high revving v6 seem optimal for a 1000kg car.

[@vibingwithvinyl]

In be4 bots.

[@avmelidor]

Fun fun fun

[@tiborkoppersable]

If all the people that complain about the change of direction Lotus has made would have also bought a Elise or Exige etc the company would have been one of the most successful in the history of the automotive world and wouldn’t need to be saved by the Chinese and change in to a Ev focused brand. Same story with Lancia, Alfa Romeo etc. Always people complain about how everything used to be so much better but never do they buy the cars. If you are so concerned with a brand then buy their products instead of just nag nag nag about the past and the future without doing anything.

[@champagnerocker]

10:20 How much more black could this KomoTec Exige be? None, none more black!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Not first.

[@harald.370]

Is this a reload? Having a lot of deja-vu watching this video 🤔

[@JayEmmOnCars]

No I did another in the same car recently

[@seinsmeld13]

Bye, bye Batman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davekennedy6315]

Jay you HAVE to try the S1 Exige as I've heard that is the purest of the breed!

[@leviddesign4537]

That's wrapped. I can se the faults in the material.

[@encinobalboa]

This is the car the Supra should have been. It would have been all Toyota instead of having a BMW transplant. Unlike any BMW, reliability and low maintenance cost would be assured. The big bonus is the Exige is significantly faster than any Supra.

[@BySixa]

A supra was always a GT.... this is not

[@AntoniusTyas]

This is not what a Supra should be. In fact, current Supra is not how Supra should be, if anything Toyota should have asked BMW for the 4-series platform instead to create a proper 4-seater long-legged 6-cylinder GT that a Supra has always been. This is why the new M4 is the actual modern Supra.

[@encinobalboa]

@@AntoniusTyas Cloning the M4 would have been a worse mistake. Toyota decided on a 2 seater and call it a Supra instead of MR2 so once that decision was made, the car could easily have been designed with existing in-house components.

[@Strallionn]

Annnnddd pre 2000s KIA build quality......

[@crunchTwist]

He's driving on the wrong side of the road....

[@babylon5mh]

Over 100k 😂😂😂😂 That's as pathetic as the guy that's put 130k into his GR Yaris, and the Yaris would be the much better car. It just shows and proves the saying that a fool and his money are easily separated

[@JJ-xc4pz]

first

[@alancrisp1582]

As Darth Vader from Star 🌟 Wars would say - The force is weak with this one !.....

[@laskos02]

Already been reviewed

[@Oberon_Boost]

This car not fit to fat driver