SO REWARDING! | Driving Honda K20 VTEC Powered Lotus Exige on the Nürburgring

This was freaking awesome!
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[@HondaExige1]

For the "He wAs qUiEt" gang, unlike Misha with Robert yes I was f**cking scared 😁 incredible driving by Misha

[@alastairs3727]

Haha, good on you :))) was great to watch!

[@aring4962]

WhY wEre yOu sO QuIeT??

[@aring4962]

But for real I really love your lotus. One of the cooler exiges I have seen

[@BurtSampson]

Did you see that video That Racing Channel put out yesterday with a K-series swapped Elise putting out 700HP? Unbelievably sick looking car.

[@rendaddy_]

No need to talk, the video is perfect, car does the talk.

[@ericpisch2732]

No twin clutch, no dynamic steering, no active suspension, no torque vectoring, no computers adjusting the balance and the biggest smile Misha has had in about 10 years

[@MrTchou]

Eric Pisch if it was a lada we would have lost him...

[@ericpisch2732]

@I like frogs . that’s what trailers and daily drivers like the model 3 performance are for

[@TheFlyingClutchman]

@I like frogs . not really, high end suspension tends to be reasonable on the road while performing well on the track. I'm talking at least 2-3 grand for your coilovers. They will behave kind of like rally suspension. This lotus is a UK road car that I presume the owner drove to the burn since it had plates

[@jpscharged]

No horsepower no torque. Slow outda turns. Needs a supercharger.

[@Minicoup58tv]

Needs to be pro charged

[@AirbagClub]

I love how Misha always says he is going to take it easy since it is not his car, hahaha..

[@mauro141995]

I was thinking the same, like, and that was supose to be take it easy? 😂

[@HondaExige1]

I knew what I was getting into 😂

[@morganfreeman5171]

@@HondaExige1 Very awesome car, all it needs now is a sequential/dog box ! :)

[@golgoth7600]

Definitely went ballz deep lol

[@feiliu6029]

@@HondaExige1 could have gone faster without you in the car

[@lk159]

Im gonna take ist easy. 10 seconds later: Whats the redline ?

[@szabolcsmate5254]

Sure. I'll shift 200rpm after the lights start flashing.

[@darrinkulyk9560]

9 K Shift

[@Calmfries]

I used to be somewhat of a Honda "hater". But as I grew up, I start to understand why people love them to death. Anyway, this is such a cool machine, great driving!

[@royhsieh4307]

honda is still one step from being perfect. i always dreamed of a honda collaboration with yamaha to make an engine that is audiophile correct

[@chemicalbrucey157]

They get a bad name from idiots in the old civics slapping giant exhausts onto their cars and driving like ass hats :/

[@repingers9777]

@@royhsieh4307 Any k series or old dohc vtec hondas can sound great but you have to actually try. I actually like that idea but considering hondas joined the rest with gross annoying fake audio theres no chance the new type r sounds worse than all the other newer turbo 4 cylinders even the 4 cylinder mustang sounds way better They are supposed to be the king of 4 cylinders lol but not anymore

[@paologalbiati3782]

​@@repingers9777 When did people start to judge and engine by the sound?

[@MrLince-hr4of]

no one sane can be a Honda "hater" ! 🤣

[@swift9417]

From watching it feels like the the k20 always belonged in the Exige 😅

[@kevind2163]

Just imagine this thing with a turbo on low boost

[@yasu7494]

Misha's face at the end said it all, he had way more fun than anticipated x) Obviously he could go faster without the yellow car, but can we appreciate that this car does not even tyre screech in corner in at full throtle, so well balanced :o

[@bullracing1]

Is this coincidence? I got like two K20-Swapped Lotuses in my Recommendation? Even three with K20-swapped NSX. Guess It's time to K20-swapped my corolla.

[@SPProduction02]

Trc video? 😂

[@MauriceEscargot]

Hoonigan K20 NSX? ;) I had it too

[@Tombrosapien]

I K-swapped my lawn mower

[@DrCrunkMusic]

Yeah the trc vid 😂

[@SkateBNE]

Me too!! I thought this was the same car and was waiting for the 700hp to kill everything on the straights too.

[@silverelgrandlow6298]

As much as I'm not a fan of Hondas due to the over-hyping of the community, their engines are absolute masterpieces. And I couldn't think of a better place to put a K20 than a Lotus Exige. Imagine beautifully sorted chassis and handling with an engine to match. This is *chef's kiss, Perfection right here.

[@mariokajin]

Overtaking at the KZbin corner almost at full throttle!?! That was insane! And the yellow SEAT, well that one was tuned for sure.

[@ossumopossum]

Right, the yellow SEAT with the hot shoe and something going on.

[@altypeRR]

Hondas K20 engine is maturing into the best 4 cylinder they have ever built and I’d argue the best 4 cylinder ever from any manufacturer and in the top 10 best engines ever. They are ultra reliable, have lots of tuning potential and swap into so many cars.

[@justconcentrate9843]

Somewhat agree. Most well rounded yes, power potential belongs to Mitsubishi with the 4g63 engine. Im a Honda guy.. own a black Supercharged AP1 with very low miles and immaculate condition but gotta give credit where it's due. Also would never swap my F20 for a k20 any other Honda I would swap the k20 into tho.

[@Oliver69420___]

It's either the k20 or the b16. Both have prod and cons

[@Oliver69420___]

It's either the k20 or the b16. Both have prod and cons

[@EjinRenos]

@Geoff Campbell Agreed. Fanboys love the on paper stats of the F series engines because "omg 9k rpm and 240 hp!11@!1!1!" But in the only application it went into the car felt more like 170hp. The K series engines have always been some great engines I must say.

[@binskee677]

@Geoff Campbell The F20 is imo the best and technologically most advanced engine (at least 20 years back) Honda built (it is not part of the F Series family). The Block can hold up more power than the K Series. There are multiple problems with the F20 though 1. Price (and therefore availability), the engine was only built for one specific car which was also not sold very well so there are not many engines around, K series etc is very cheap compared to. 2. people don't know how to drive. Sorry but i especially hear this a lot from the US that it does not have any torque. It is not supposed to have low end torque, thats how high rev NA engines work. If you don't know how to drive it or are too afraid of keeping it over 6k rpm, it is definitly not the engine for you. IMO the F22C is the worst thing Honda did to the S2000, luckely europe etc got to keep the F20c.

[@The_Noticer.]

You can instantly hear the intake note change when the VTEC camshaft engages. Gotta love the K engine induction noise

[@9NoOnE1]

Pretty sure all the Honda guys you passed, we’re expecting any K20 Honda by hearing the upcoming intake sound behind them, but not that beauty 😂 as a Honda guy, I couldn’t imagine any better combination 😍

[@TimothyJavier]

The 2ZZ stock engine sounds similar already

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

This is how the cars should have come from the factory, but Honda seems to be ridiculously stingy with their engines.

[@9NoOnE1]

Three years later back here and i ended up in ownership of my own K20 S2 and took it to the ring many times 😍😂

[@TheTrueChucky]

This k20 sounds so freaking nice, i really enjoyed that onboard misha.

[@kennygrant5531]

This is peak Misha. The pleasure he gets from driving pure cars, how he knows all the staff, the speed he goes - just wonderful

[@evansc3580]

Lotus drivers quietly nodding their heads thinking "yeah dude exactly"! They are just so connected!

[@hashas459]

I dont care how fast how expensive electric, hybrid or automatic paddle shift you have there is nothing more rewarding than a manual transmission on a beautiful car making a beautiful driver experience. Excellent driving I was engaged in the whole experience whilst watching it on video.

[@Kuchenblech_Mafioso]

The red line of the car is literally off the charts

[@bliglum]

The steering feedback on these things is incredible. You can feel every little bump, every tiny imperfection.

[@TomEnduro]

The Honda engine and Lotus chassis are made for each other. Really wish Lotus had used that engine instead of going Toyata.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

Probably all based on £££'s

[@TomEnduro]

Hi Graham, I think it was more down to the fact that Honda wouldn't agree to supply customer engines into Lotus, but Toyota would in 2004. Before that, Lotus was after a very lightweight engine which the Rover K series was. A lot of us with Lotus Elise/Exiges swap the Rover K for the Honda. I have a K20 in my garage to go into mine.

[@morgenglende-michalski369]

Pretty sure Toyota owns lotus now too... not sure if that was the case when the car was built, but seems like there is obvious partnership there

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

Toyota doesn't own Lotus. But Lotus and Toyota have had a relationship going way back, since the 80s I think. The MR2 was based on Lotus' designs which Toyota bought.

[@innerhammer]

Actually Toyota engines on Lotuses are not bad at all though. Sound great as well.

[@sunnylam2284]

That, my friend, is why you should at least own one car with a Type R engine in your life.

[@Blasterxp]

True driving!

[@iVTECInside]

I love my K20A2. Recorded just yesterday cause I love the sound so much : www.dropbox.com/s/z8r5e0tslf2bduv/20200925_093150.mp4?dl=0

[@ayowser01]

Or an s2000!

[@dogshmog]

Yes, the K20 is certainly unique. It’s a bit hard enjoying the power band discreetly, though. 😹

[@Cafaura]

dogshmog yeah well said. If you have the intention to go to a track you should. Simply impossible to have fun driving while being safe/not breaking the law on the street.

[@stefan-stocksmadesimple5241]

Please open hoods when you are reviewing people's cars ! Or trunks... in this case..

[@dielog2211]

Follow his ig.

[@dielog2211]

@Shawn Park do you mad doe?

[@Skreamies]

Wherever the engine is it's a hood so hood/bonnet is still the correct term here

[@HurstTheHybrid]

@@dielog2211 do you english bro?

[@dielog2211]

@@HurstTheHybrid dunno. What do you think?

[@martijnvkk]

K20 and K24 are great engines! The potential of tuning is amazing

[@Earl_VTEC]

K24 frankenstein :-D

[@recalcitrant_recidivist9278]

You can tell the car was mega-engaging, you hardly said a word on the lap! Good stuff.....

[@BM_PAZ]

Goes to show that huge power doesn't equal huge fun. This looked absolutely awesome.

[@revnto7k]

Honda hate is so undeserved. I can't believe there are people who don't like the sound of the K series engines.. I loved watching this video.. I have a Civic SI with the K20 in it. I love it to death, I can't imagine how that engine would perform in a much lighter car like this.. I'd love to experience it. The Exige is so freaking cool.

[@craigthomson7389]

In a lot of ways that looked so much more fun than a lap in a Supercar - superb!!

[@ioannisioannou7518]

Respect Misha. THE driver’s car driven just the way it was meant to.

[@mistercrab]

It's better to drive slow car fast than a fast car slow.

[@JoshuaTootell]

What about driving a slow car slow?

[@marcelzenmedia]

This car is pretty fast I'd say

[@Jackflack-fj8wm]

fast car fast is best tho

[@nootnootasis1276]

Awesome driving misha,perfect shifts.

[@goxy87]

Pure emotion from Misha 😅 I always wondered if a well set up Exige would be the perfect driving experience ob the Nordschleife... I finally have my answer

[@chagra5085]

But it had a hard time catching that yellow cupra though....

[@lk159]

Cha Gra so what ? Theres Allways gonna be someone faster. Just Stick to a car you like and Push it to the Limit while Having fun :)

[@timburton7307]

Had a K20 SC lotus, was a lot of fun. That ones begging for a sequential gearbox.

[@Snake2303]

And a BIG wing.

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

Doesn't need a big wing. The Exige/Elises all generate downforce with the diffusor running along the underside.

[@krisztianszabo1440]

Ok first of all, that was a fantastic video. It almost felt like i was in that car with you guys :D the race between you and that seat was really fun to watch. Thanks for making me smile through 13 minutes (and i bet many of the viewers also did) :)

[@cancracker]

Lightweight cars are the most fun, especially the response to sudden direction changes. No battery powered car can ever beat that.

[@tappajaav]

And if it's lightweight electric car...?

[@lorddoobsworth144]

@@tappajaav Those are called RC cars and don't count hehe

[@tappajaav]

@@lorddoobsworth144 hah

[@toeputtsnz783]

Gotta love those honda engines cheap reliable and can push some good hp

[@damienc2467]

If this is Misha taking it easy, man, I can't wait to see him go "full send".

[@troythegardener]

That noise is unreal, doesn't get much better than that

[@matgee8892]

Perfect video to watch while waiting for the N24 to start. What a fantastic machine.

[@Speed_7545]

That yellow seat should've let you past, earlier annoying douche hoarding the left side so you have no chance to overtake :|

[@ivandoe33]

seat driver is an idiot

[@baconbreadwithbacon]

@@ivandoe33 They'll get a warning and after that get banned for a while. Driving like that is idiotic. Almost lost control a few times. The way the frame was flexing on that car had me worried.

[@kennytheamazing]

Agree, he was pushing way too hard for a normal TF, just to try to stay ahead of a Lotus. He should've taken it easier and let the Lotus pass. Too risky. Probably wanted a story back home to tell how he was "faster than a lotus".

[@philtrysstrongman]

Did he not pay the same entry fee to be on the track?

[@aliardaerd]

Philip Baldock you should let faster cars pass and that lotus was clearly faster. And he almost lost control 3 times while pushing so hard not to get past. That is dangerous and it shouldn’t have happened in touristenfahren.

[@MrVig]

The INDUCTION sound at the very last rpms before the limiter are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppp and soooooooooooo PURE NA engine sounding that I Imediatly felt In heaven when misha flored It for the first time In this video. What a car !

[@izakjanneke2653]

And you call that “taking it easy”. That was more full throttle the entire time. Love your videos mate. Keep them coming.

[@tomsaltezza]

nothing brings a smile to one’s face like a high revving vtec :) awesome driving Micha! You were eating those cars in the corners and low speed sections.

[@oldladynissanturbo9749]

Sub 8:30 in a car he has never driven. Jeremy Clarkson would say: Maniac.

[@ThePsiclone]

which is why we're here watching Misha and not watching Clarkson

[@syedrehanfida]

Please keep bringing more nurburgring content, I really like your videos! Thank you Misha!

[@nawb_84]

An engine built for a car, a car built for this man. You might just have the best job in the world!

[@fredriksvard2603]

I can attest that a good lotus around the ring is an amazing experience. More so than all but the rawest porsches etc.

[@vladts]

Owning both a Cayman and an MR2 I can see Misha still applying front engine car lines at the beginning of the lap and then progressively adapting to the car's behaviour to the point that by Ex-Muhle he's fully on it. Of course, being RHD it makes things even more difficult. Kudos for the lap and for learning the car so quickly. 👏

[@manuvic2]

What a machine. Pure driving !

[@ScapinLeScap]

Engine sounds insane, that was gorgeous !

[@manelpelayo2753]

Had to come back to watch it again, there is nothing better that the sound of a high revving NA engine

[@kayhesse]

Wauw, this must be the most fun car you can drive on the Nordschleife 👀 kswaps just gets the best out of everything 💪🏻

Please, more videos with this view, Misha 🙏 It's simply amazing. You get "into the car" in just two kerbs.

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

Wow, amazing driving from you, and the 2 Seat drivers ahead...The one in the decal Seat car was hella fast through Metzgesfeld, Wow...

[@rocket2739]

I just loooove how the transmission bounces when you drop a gear. That's so magic

[@argh1989]

It's the engine RPM oscillating courtesy of a lightweight flywheel. :)

[@ampedex]

What music to my ears 😅 Honda truly created one of the best 4banger engines ever

[@RandomSubscriptions]

PURE DRIVING!!! So good Misha!!! You made the car sing. Best driving video and sound so far...

[@Greenfield_discovers]

Wonderful Drive.... and wonderful car.... Misha, always a pleasure when you take us with you on cars of friends/viewers/fans of you.... Zaid, nice work :)

[@CAZ13579]

Awesome Misha, appreciate all your contents especially coming from an avid Motosport enthusiast...Keep doing what you do and I wish you great success!

[@philou9102]

Crazy how someone just said on a fb group that a k20 in a lotus would be incredible and you came with this video !

[@MrAlcmj]

Have been waiting for a lotus vid since the last onboard, this ones even better coz it k swapped. Perfection

[@bobsmoot8454]

Back in the day, the Europa was the small maniac handling car, superb. I’ve seen many Elites and have always intrigued me, the chassis design is flat out ridiculous, Colin would be proud. And Honda motor is a jewel. If I could get in and out of it without damaging the windshield side support strut it would be a no brainer, it’s the consummate back road slice and dice machine IMHO

[@SladeRenegade]

Misha "The Machine" Charoudin. Simply mesmerizing. Thank you.

[@HGChannel2020]

kswap the ring

[@therealRaccondog]

What a ride! Si me toca la lotería iré a Apex a conseguir una masterclass de Misha, increible

[@1seipai]

It's great to see you driving a quick and focused car! Also great to see a kind and informed owner who trusts you with his car! 👍

[@pierre0860]

And then Misha realised there was a few hundreds revs to go for until the lights flashes...

[@lazarjanjusevic3]

The thing sounds MAAAD when pushed up to flashing lights...9k rpm?

[@thestig560]

Love this video, felt like I was in the car myself! Very glad I stumbled on to your channel. Great driving 👍

[@tomaszjaowiec9554]

That Honda Exige is such a sexy beast, great driving!

[@jassi_ahluwalia]

Lotus always makes brilliant steering to make the car super fun to drive around track. And with VTEC kicked in yo in Lotus, it’s 🔥🔥!

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

The ones with Toyota 2zz engines technically DO have VTEC already, just Toyota's version of it :D

[@user-fg7wl9yf9m]

this is what new s2000 should be.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

Or the next CRX.

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

You will never be able to make a sports car this light now, due to safety regulations. Even the current Elise is 900kg :(

[@EjinRenos]

Or the old. K series would've been the best choice as the F series engine is weak and lethargic

[@Andres-ow2sn]

Oh my gudness 😱.... The Exige is a very lightweight car and small... I’m sure it’s a tight squeeze.... That K20 sounds good 👌🏻 and I love the combination..... you can pretty much make the track car of your dreams with this chassis as platform....

[@ななころび]

All of us wishing we had a nurburgring in our back yard during covid.

[@FullgasNoTraction]

K20, oh yes!

[@futjixu6104]

aayyyoooo one of my fav cars, with one of my engines, on my fav track.... leashhhhhhhhh gooooo

[@ReclusiveDuck]

Small lightweight cars like the Exige are so much more appealing than any supercar. Absolutely stunning.

[@gustavofring-thechickenman]

Favorite mashup.... Honda engine plus lotus ❤️

[@DrCrunkMusic]

That didn't look exactly like you were taking it easy brother 😂🤦‍♂️. They are awesome awesome chassis coupled with the legendary k20 that's gotta be a winner. Great vid

[@Official_MikeyT]

"I'll take it easy." Immediately wrings its neck around the track lol. I guess he technically took it easy because there really wasn't any oppo so he was well within the limits of the car.

[@Mirco_M]

Lotus are just amazing track cars in my opinion, some of them even with stock engine. Couple of years ago I had a ride in a Lotus Exige S on the TTcircuit Assen, really one of the best rides I've ever had! Will never forget the really addicting supercharger sound you hear from behind.👌

[@leo_perigee]

I am from the US... Is that a SEAT you are chasing? You are f'n stroking that Lotus, Misha! That VTEC is SINGIN'!

[@andruha8979]

Mega endlich ma paar Honda Motoren aufn Ring 💪🏼 gute Arbeit Micha

[@Theoriginalbubbafett]

Your bringing back memories of Gran Turismo. Super enjoyable video! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@sangeetathorat198]

I love this guyz life mann waking up driving a supercar aroud the nurburdring and make money toooo.

[@MrAlcmj]

5:15 Jesus this shift sounded so good

[@umaxi96]

Misha has the best job in the world right now. Welcome back to the ring MIsha!

[@Factoryrat77]

Love that sound of a Honda 4 banger at wfo! 🤟🏼💯

[@jlo1169]

Loved it. So happy to have you back at the ring full time

[@stiang872]

I started crying when I heard that K20 screaming. I love Honda’s K20😍🤯😱👂

[@LeftLane.045]

The audi in front is flying as well m8 whut😂😂😂

[@Blasterxp]

Got revs? How much? All. How many? All the revs. What a sound, what a setup, what a gearbox, what a driving position. 100% fun and fast as sting

[@nirfz]

Apart from old ones (before the 90's) i usually find the engine sound of inline 4 engines boring, but this has something that reminds me of the sound of the old ones.

[@bozukbeyin]

Elise chassis and k20 engine is an amazing combo. A brilliant one just got sold for £23k on ebay the other day. Some even supercharge it and get well over 300 hp which is super car level performance carrying only 800 kilograms. Will definitely own one one day!

[@slowmanEF]

The induction sound of a proper Honda VTEC engine is intoxicating.

[@javiermenendezpabon1208]

I´ll take it easy... Seat Leon appears on scene Ok, hold my beer Great lap!! It seems to be really fun! Thanks ;)

[@hrcvf7505]

I have a 2011 Exige S260 Final Edition and it has all the driver's aids ... ABS, adjustable traction control, etc!

[@CarGuy87]

That thing sounds amazing. I bet it's a riot to drive.

[@sids2498]

Superb Car! Props to Zaid! Great driving as usual Misha.....

[@jurgenblondia2084]

you had me at "does a squirrel shit in the woods" :D very good video content, you have a new subscriber!

[@7ThrillFishing]

Man that k20 was having lots of fun on the top end

[@JustZB1]

That yellow Cupra knows how to turn though.

[@chagra5085]

I thought the lotus had a hard time catching up with that yellow car though....interesting

[@judgementalpotato1198]

@@chagra5085 he was just giving space i think, no way that was his limit

[@VaunShiz]

@@chagra5085 naw you keep your distance from try hards like the guy in the cupra , he cut the lotus off a few times and you never know when he will wreck