Alfa Romeo 4C vs Tuned Lotus Exige// Track Review // One Track Mind Ep 3.

The Alfa Romeo 4C goes head to head with the Lotus Exige in a drag race (where I almost crash) and a track test at Toronto Motorsports Park. These two with their mid-engined manners, are a serious handful on the track. Near the end, the racing driver sets some blistering lap times on the road course in Ep. 3 of ONE TRACK MIND.
With support from:
Pinnacledriving.com
jrponline.com
Music by:
Bensound.com
Jingle Punks - KZbin Audio Library
Open Sea Morning- Puddle of Infinity- KZbin Audio Library.

[@omarm4225]

Going from 2022 Thomas to 2016 Thomas is so crazy. You're so young here and notably missing a James. Cool to see that you carried your vocal intros into the present.

[@DonJuanMair]

So I have came across throttle house recently and randomly searched Alfa Romeo 4C then this showed up. I'm glad he for rid of the soft voice. The new enthusiasm level is way better for these kind of videos.

[@darrenmathias9384]

@@DonJuanMair At the time this was the preferred style that viewers wanted. Reviews were very emotional and passionate with chillstep and orchestral music, thanks to channels like Top Gear, Petrolicious, Evo, etc that were popular in the 2012 - 2016 era. Even Chris Harris' dramatic narrating was punctuated with slow mo drifts and deep thought-inducing music.

[@stevenclark7409]

The 4C made SUCH an impression on me. It's flawed, it's uncomfortable, and it's difficult to get in and out of, but it's SO special. It's at the very top of my wish list.

[@waclosh]

if you ever toyed with the idea of quitting your current job, getting a loan on video equipment and starting this fulltime, I think that this short film is a proof that you need to do it now.

[@MrInternFTL]

Hmmmmmm

[@hellatightdude]

Aged like wine

[@atio5491]

This aged perfectly.

[@ThrottleHouse]

Hope everyone is enjoying! Just want to clear a few things up for you. I didn't talk about the transmissions because I already touched on the transmission in the road review of the Alfa, and frankly, after you drive the Alfa it becomes a non issue. In any other dual clutch car I've driven, I longed for the manual (as we all do), but for some reason you don't care in the 4C. (Maybe its because the steering wheel bucks and moves so aggressively sometimes, that you are thankful you can keep two hands on the wheel. ) Also I mention that the 4c feels lighter. I don't mean that it IS lighter I meant exactly that, it feels lighter. Like it wants to change direction quickly and feels very quick on its toes. (probably down to the quality of the chassis). The lotus is on stock suspension and does lean more in the corners, and yes, the racing driver mentioned to me that the Alfa would ONLY need better tires and then it would probably set the better time. Hope you all are enjoying the video series. We have a lot more to come throughout the winter (BMW track car building and some other non track reviews too) so subscribe and stay tuned!!

[@GrouchoDis]

"In any other dual clutch car I've driven, I longed for the manual (as we all do), but for some reason you don't care in the 4C." Maybe *YOU* don't care, but some of us do! :) Especially in such a bare-bones stripped-down car. Let the Lambos and Ferraris cruising the strip have their hi-tech flappy paddles; the Lotus is about joy of driving.

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Jeff Kyle in essentially every other case I'm on your side. Always prefer the manual. If the Alfa came with a manual i would be first in line to give it a go. When you drove the 4C did it really bother you that much that it didn't have a manual?

[@GrouchoDis]

I haven't driven a 4C - 1) out of my price range at new prices though I'm sure they'll be selling for cheap in a few years, 2) I actually DON'T like the looks of it (that bulbous nose! on a mid-engined car! ugh!), 3) I wouldn't consider one due to the transmission alone. I am perfectly fine with my Elise, Elan, and BRZ.. :) It's a shame that Alfa killed the manual for the Giulietta in the US, too. Yes, I understand that the high-end sports car industry is primarily automatics now (flappy paddles or not - they are still automatics!) but the serious stripped-down track-focused cars are still sticks, often exclusively - the current Elise/Exige, as well as the Evora, Zenos, Atom, Caterham, KTM XBow, etc all proudly have sticks. Even Porsche, the ones directly to blame for this transmission mess (I curse you, Tiptronic), now make their most raw car with a stick. It will be very interesting to see how things look in a few years when the next-gen Elise and Exige return to the US, as well as the inevitable endless comparisons with the 4C.

[@colincaissie8724]

Jeff Kyle I normally would be the first to say I would only get a manual for a sports car but after driving the 4C it changed my mind. The dual clutch in this car is awesome and does complete the car. As for the value of the 4C going down it will more than likely go the other way much like the current Exige / Elise market. There is lots of chatter out in the collector community that the 4C will be extremely sought after in the used market and will drive prices very high.

[@MD-uu5nt]

Jeff Kyle cheap 4Cs in the future? no chance. it's been out in the UK for over 2 years now and you still cannot get one for less than £42,000. if anything they will go up in value as they are likely to be cancelled in a few years making them extremely rare.

[@dsguidolin]

Very well done video, good job!. I am actually very surprised that the 4C was so close in lap times & drag race to the heavily modified Exige. I would have guessed that the Exige would smoke the 4C. (for the record I own a Launch edition 4C & an Elise, plus used to be a professional racer back in the 80s & 90s)

[@ThrottleHouse]

+David Guidolin hey David! Are you setting faster times in your Elise than your Alfa?

[@dsguidolin]

+E46 Reviews with T.H. no... my Elise is normally aspirated. but if it had 300 horse power at the wheel, then I would be faster. not to mention the P Zero tire on the Alfa is horrible. I already order pilot sport cups.

[@eltonsi]

Good job guys! Another top notch video. Keep it up guys, can't wait for the next one.

[@t.nicklasson6906]

Best review I've seen in a long time! Well done! 👍🏻👌🏻

[@mlaudisa]

These are good videos and reviews, well scripted, scored, and shot! Well done, and proudly Canadian!

[@Jack277]

As always a pleasure to watch. My son and I look forward to the next reviews.

[@ThrottleHouse]

Thanks for watching!

[@roytrevisan3491]

I drove my 4C on the same track, Cayuga Ontario and everything he says is absolutely correct. This car on a city road is plenty of fun, on a track whole different experience this is where it is at home!!

[@nickolashunter1862]

Wow. I love watching car review videos from all the popular guys. This rivals them. This video is so engaging (the sound of that supercharger nearly put me in the car). Love it and waiting for more!

[@Sensei_Lenny]

A race car driver in a heavily modified Lotus with sticky racing tires and it still lost to a stock Alfa Romeo 4C with an everyday driver in the quarter mile. Alfa Romeo all day long! I own a Giulia and love it!!!

[@tuteyflutey]

That was an incredible video, thank you!

[@ivanmazur9233]

just want to say how impressed I am with the quality of the videos that you make. they look completely professional. I hope your viewership expands because these are some of the best car review videos on KZbin right now

[@St5phan]

This comment has aged like wine

[@fredsalfa]

Strange comparison with a "modified" Lotus vs a standard Alfa

[@rombierto]

All the mods are power though so otherwise the Exige is stock.

[@pscalfa]

I agree. Strange comparison. Even just the tire difference is a huge modifier. Fun video, not helpful.

[@ThrottleHouse]

The idea is, is that they come in at about the same price (assuming the Lotus was bought used). And you saw how close they were with the Alfa in stock form. If anything, it tells how how effective the Alfa is at crushing the road course. Even on those tires it was very very close to the Lotus. If the Alfa had the same amount of money put into it, this would be a silly comparison, as the Alfa would run circles around that Lotus.

[@pscalfa]

The Lotus with all the mods is the same prices as the 4C?

[@ThrottleHouse]

Yep! In Canada you get an Exige S240 for about 60-70k (less in the US) and it has less than 10k of mods done to it- even if you count the fancy white wrap. All in, with mods, these two cars cost roughly the same. Hence the comparison: What kind of mid-engined car can you get that fulfills that "baby- supercar" criteria.

[@aadvb6664]

The European Spec Alfa 4C is an additional 200 lbs lighter because of “US safety” regulations

[@kevinwong6760]

Awesome video! Love it how you start doing the italian handspeak when praising its character. The Exige has always been a car I've lusted for. LOVE DAT SUPACHARGER.

[@giorgosmavropoulos3040]

ALFA 4 C=MINI FERRARI ❤️👍

[@BossHoggJDH]

4c oscena

[@04dram04]

and Exige= Mini Mclaren f1

[@curvetrcalinga]

Very nice review. I was on a hunt last year for a Lotus Exige last year but got mesmerized by the Alfa chassis and its character. Ended up in the 4C, which is mind boggling when you approach the corner.

[@e.lake13]

Sherman Calinga I went the opposite and bought an Exige. I fell in love with the extreme rawness of it. The instant you sit in it, its so abundantly clear that the car has one specific thing in mind, with no compromise for anything else.

[@Little6]

I also ended up picking up an Exige, because it was so uncompromising for a street car. So raw, so much fun. Love it!

[@eyeorewolf]

I went with the 4C too, it checked all my required boxes. Exige is also a fine car.

[@Coolkast]

Aother Exige S 240 driver here. the supercharger and manual gearbox made me decide to go for a lotus. both are great cars, but love the more exclusive looks of the Exige over the 4c

[@thedebatemechannel4746]

My car with regular tires is hard to get out of control. I've TRIED to get the rear to step out and it will, but only if you really want it too, and when it does, you are in FULL control. Traction is ready when you want it back. I've even tried hard braking in turn and it does not care.

[@RobertKarlBerta]

I have had a 4C for three years......and have driven the Exige and also a modified one like this one. The 4C now has a strong aftermarket support and with a few mods is incredible. See any lapping video by Tom Burgess on You Tube...especially in the last year. His car is amazing...give some very hot cars a spanking.

[@waclosh]

sir hats off to you, you manage to put out visually stunning and profoundly informative videos. And they are engaging too. I like your attention to detail and your personality has won me over the very first time I watched your e46 video. But back then I did not know you were capable to beat all the high dollar industry leaders in their own game. Stay true to yourself and please do not take buddies to co-host. Yours truly subscriber.

[@ThrottleHouse]

+waclosh thank you very much!

[@wojtek_sanitarnik]

nothing more nothing less!

[@freedomlifemake2579]

Awesome video man, the quality is amazing! Keep it up!

[@gg56279]

Awesome review man love it!

[@ethownzbh]

So far I've only seen your TO most recent videos and I don't know if it's because of the different conditions with the weather but your production quality in this seems to be a huge step up from your last video. Either way, great stuff man keep it up.

[@ponjebach]

That 4C is shockingly awesome.

[@superjervis]

Fantastic review and comparison

[@fulano787]

What an intuitive review! Thanx!!

[@user-1500HP]

Great video. I'm thinking about buying the Alfa, can just imagine what a dream it would be with more power on tap. A classic already

[@keltecdan]

I love the lotus but the Alfa has more flair and refinement

[@liamcooper5202]

Be good if he compared the new exige or elise (more so since the elise is the only 4cyl is the lotus linup now). Modded or not, thats 2016 chassis vs 1996 chassis. Not as fair as it would. Fuck for the price there are going on about you could buy an Toyota MR2 sw20 or even the MRS with the 2zz and mod it to be a better "baby supercar" then either. If car age is not a restiction.

[@jinxtacy]

@@liamcooper5202 That's actually pretty interesting since they're coming up on 25 years (able to be imported stateside). What do the '96 model go for?

[@liamcooper5202]

@@jinxtacy no idea mate. I live in Australia.

[@BlatentlyFakeName]

The current Elise/Exige isn't much of a step down inside from the 4c and it still handles much better. The S1 and S2 was much more bare (and a lot lighter as a result). The 96+ Elises are worth MORE in good condition now. The higher spec ones are worth loads already.

[@swololikesolo1625]

But no manual! That's the end of the 4c for me.

[@LS1OfAKind32]

Oh shit! A Canadian Reviewer! My friend who own an E46 told me about you, so I decided to check it out! We're straight from Ottawa! Subbed for sure!

[@itznero8673]

this video was a true masterpiece

[@ToroColorado92]

Great review! Subbed for sure! Keep the good work! Greetings from central america.

[@HighTQCummins]

i love the 4 point harness and then the factory seatbelt clicked on over top. like wearing a rain jacket and then using an umbrella

[@kenyalucy]

incredible video once again

[@LostSoulsmusic22]

Great video I'm looking to buy either one of these awesome cars so this has helped a lot with the decision. I will be subscribing.

[@SquiggyWigginz]

Omg the last minute had me lapdog so hard. I might have been in a dream state!

[@johncheves4740]

You drive a car like a 4C. But you wear an Exige, like a rocket powered suit. And that makes for an entirely different, uniquuely intense experience.

[@d4vv980]

I can't believe what this channel has become!! Dude I had no idea it was throttle house at first. Nice Jacob!

[@AlfaEricWashDC]

Nice review. The Alfa is also ready for a Downtown run with your female passenger. While that Lotus is track focused and she tells you to pick her up after you've got your need for speed fix over with.

[@wonderbubble3980]

If your lady ain't down for throwing on a harness, you might want to find a different lady. Just sayin'.

[@cheeseybud99]

and alpha is ugly as fuck

[@itscard0man]

Hi Hi I like the rear lol

[@Tonguefunsome]

I find it rather fetching but I guess yours is the definitive opinion.

[@conradtestamark6142]

You can say that the 4c is the sis to the lotus.I love both of them.

[@ezekielvaldez5517]

Love the video!

[@NewtonInDaHouseYo]

Wow, the acceleration of the (S)Exige at 16:40 is impressive! Watch the speedo ...

[@numinous4789]

And remember that it's kph too, not mph ;-)

[@88yota]

105mph --- whoooaaaaa :-)

[@NW-jv1ij]

Great Review! Very good description of the actual difference between those two. A pitty that the new Exige V6 380 Sport is not available in the US. It is a serious step forward and I bet you would love it.

[@ThrottleHouse]

I bet I would too... Maybe one day Ill make a trip to drive one overseas.

[@christianspivey279]

Great review

[@peterorigenes4358]

Just bought a 2020 4c, one of the last as production has ended. Will more cars like this ever be made? Great video! Yup some known suspension mods and a little more tune improve the Alfa steering and predictability but will still have the turbo spool up. Exige benefits from Lotus experience with the Elise, the Alfa has benefitted from some development in the aftermarket. Would be good to have two totally stock street cars and two built up cars but this captures the soul of each. Drivers cars , not for driving your golf clubs or cosseting you friends. 🍀

[@fernandofragoso4118]

Love both. The Alfa for the week and the Exige for the weekend

[@eyeorewolf]

I only drive my 4C on weekends and perfect weather days because these cars will hold their value just like Elise and Exige if well cared for and documented, in fact they will likely go up from current price point at some point especially the coupe. I believe if a 4C was modified to the extent of the Exige it would outperform the Exige, no one has gone there yet but I'm willing to bet it's coming. stuffed turbo, performance clutch, intake, exhaust, suspension mods and wider rubber and the 4C would be a track monster. Not my intent for mine but it will be fun to watch when someone does it.

[@HayNoxHouse]

Best reviews ever!!!!!

[@salhs94]

I love ur videos bro keep it up i bet u would have 1000000000000s fans in couple months from now if u keep goin :) good luck

[@MrRaitzi]

150k subscriber quality in this video. Try to get Alfa to lend the Giulia QV to you some time.

[@ihopetowin]

A fine review.

[@BookAutowerks]

Nice video! You really should try it again with a modified 4C ;)

[@federicopiazzon1532]

So let's tune the 4c as well and see what is going on! By the way.. Great vid!

[@TheAnvil1971]

The Alfa for me - anytime!!!

[@bakhteria]

Nicely done

[@joshp9842]

Great video, excellent cinematography! Are drag strips a 1/4 mile in Canada? If so what were the times?

[@colincaissie8724]

Josh P yes they are a quarter mile. We can't post the official times at the moment. But they both ran mid 12's.

[@867plantation]

I have a 4C and it is a blast to drive and I have experienced no quality control issues. I do not miss the manual transmission and rarely use the paddles. I've owned 6 speed corvettes and autos and the fun factor ratio is noticeable in that vehicle for sure. This one not so much. The lotus is a better financial investment as most have reached the bottom and are stable or on the way up whereas the Alfa is brutal. When I first drove the car (test) the only person terrified was the salesman. The car is a scalpel albeit a noisy one.

[@acchaladka]

This is such a well done video series...when will you get together with Straight Pipes and maybe Sarah-n-Tune, to make a Top Gear N America? Excellent excellent excellent, and great to see Canadian excellence.

[@Tracertme]

That was the most hilarious TH video I have ever seen.. and not your fault it’s Lotus.. just the first 48 seconds..😅

[@thestig886]

Nice video: but I’m wondering why you are using the 4-point Harness and the 3-point factory seatbelt of the Lotus Exige together?? Was it that scary 😂

[@frankfargnoli4692]

The biggest disparity for me is the tyres, Lotus is on a 048 Yokohama which is pretty much a benchmark semi-slick the 4C is on stock oem tyres which are good for fuel economy and not much more.

[@SpeedlPN]

great job bud

[@nickamarit]

T.H., great video as always. However, could you please show just one camera angle during the racing driver's hot laps (the Lotus' hot lap, to be precise)? I only want to see out the front, as that is the only way I can see his lines and how the car reacts. The rest of the show was awesome.

[@Little6]

This video made me get an Exige. Thank you for the wonderful review.

[@eyeorewolf]

I went 4C because I don't base my purchase decisions on a KZbin video LOL

[@reubenroll2144]

@@eyeorewolf hahahaa well done. I bought the 4C Launch Edition even though I wanted an Exige. Just seems more of a refined "exotic" than the Exige. To me the Lotus' seem more like a properly built kit car than a refined production car. But I have never tried a Lotus so I can not speak from experience. Now I am stuck, should I keep my 996 turbo or the 4C? Can't keep both at the moment.

[@eyeorewolf]

@@reubenroll2144 personally I would keep the 4C if your intentions are to drive either car sparingly. I'm not sure of the exact numbers but production is likely to end with somewhere around 3,000 4Cs on the entire planet with far fewer in the US. The carbon fiber monocoque DDCT and all aluminum engine with 22 PSI boost make this car very unique. The sales numbers were low for several reasons with practicality being #1. This car isn't a daily driver and the number of people that have resources for a second car is limited. To make a long story short I see the value of the 4C which can be had for under $50K right now (assuming used under 10K miles in excellent condition) will likely rebound nicely and increase in value as time goes on. If your concern is practicality by all means go with the 996 Turbo but the 4C is the collector car of the future out of the two. The next level carbon fiber monocoque choice is McLaren at well over $200K so there's that to consider. I hope you decide what works best for you.

[@evansc3580]

Lets not forget that this Lotus is over a decade old. The new Elise would be a better comparison with its more modern engine/supercharger and chassis. There are some top end Elise Cup models sold in Europe that would be a good match for this Alfa. Thumbs up to Alfa Romeo for building this car, they are a mass production car company and not a specialist sport car company like Lotus.

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

The Lotus, due to it's simplicity, is still hard to beat on the track. No surprises as she communicates to you all the time, and before bad stuff happens.

[@andrewtodd5014]

Owned both, Exige without a doubt

[@jeffpollard7304]

That 2nd 'drag race' the Lotus was holding-back! The Alpha is 'nice' though.

[@jaymyers6452]

Its spelled alfa. And its not nice its better.

[@gryphon123456]

Nicely Done. I'm such a huge Lotus fan. Was James the race car driver?

[@theeyeofgod8316]

I'm 6'-4" and the dealer had to pry me out of the 4C once I got into it. No surjury required.

[@eyeorewolf]

You aren't suited to the 4C, it was designed for me, not you LOL

[@HiruMihnea]

Nice video, T.H! Keep 'em coming! I'm a bit surprised that Speed Academy's "asS2000" is 2seconds faster than this spec'd up Exige around that track(I believe it is the same one). Or maybe that's Dave Pratte's magical driving.

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Mihnea Hiru that is a very very fast s2000. I assure you my driver has mad skillz. And for the sake of friendly competition he set a faster lap in the focus RS then the speed academy review ;)

[@rombierto]

The Exige S240 is on stock suspension. This is why the body roll is so pronounced. Swap out the dampers for a set of Nitron or Penske shocks and the car is transformed. The stock suspension gives the driver a sense of sluggishness at turn in and dulls the liveliness of the front end. The stock suspension on the S240s is really bad to be blunt.

[@ThrottleHouse]

The owner told me he put Penskes in shortly after this review. Apparently they are magical. Can't wait to try it with the new set up.

[@rombierto]

I have the Penske double adjustable as well. He chose the best damper. You should really drive it with the Penskes. It is transformational assuming the car is setup properly. (corner balanced, aligned, camber maxxed out,etc)

[@taylorgang2237]

Idk based on the specs the listed I doubt that the exige is at 325hp to the wheels. Those types of supercharged setups tended to be around 235hp or so. I have one that has an aftermarket supercharger kit and it’s 310hp at the crank, maybe 265hp at the wheels.

[@timjacobsracing5867]

I feel there is one very important part missing. The Lotus is a manual. A fast automatic shifts in about 200ms, lets say 250 for the alfa. A fast manual shift is about 500ms. So the Alfa wins about 0.25 sec / shift. Don’t underestimate gearbox :-) Also the old s2’s are quite different compared to s3’s. The S3 cup Elise has ridiculous amounts of grip while the S2 is very oversteery!

[@GTFour]

Sticky Tyree are worth multiple,seconds. I think the Alfa would walk it same tyres and race suspension.Remapped, it would leave for dead.

[@765garage]

Idk how tall you are but I'm 6'2 300lbs and got in a 4c in one swift movement just last week. Your entry was hilarious 😅

[@VincentChiaro]

Nice video! But what's up with the double seatbelts in the Exige?! If you're using the racing harness I'm pretty sure you don't need the OEM belt fastened. ;)

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Vincent Chiaro lol. You are correct. I fastened it so the "fasten seatbelt" chime would shut up.

[@waffenCC]

Awesome stuff :) Makes me want to track my car, but fear of totaling is keeping me back..

[@ThrottleHouse]

+waffenCC do a private track day. You won't hurt your car. Are you in Canada?

[@waffenCC]

Nope. Estonia.

[@teejay818]

Track day insurance, my friend!

[@pt020]

For me the Alfa please.

[@TheSinMOG]

LOL! That struggle to get into the car!

[@davidgrainger5994]

I owned an Exige and now have a 4C. The 4C is far more civilized and cultivated. It also has two cup holders. The Exige was a little savage and the most fun I ever had on track except for open wheel. Sadly I traded in my Exige on an Evora. Huge regrets there. Traded the Evora in on a Bentley Continental. No regrets, just a big drain on the wallet, especially if you used it hard, which I did. I have had the Alfa much longer than anything else, 4 years now, so it must have something going for it. I will buy another Exige, but it has to be the 260 Cup Car. In powder blue.

[@Miniorpernik]

I am flabbergasted. That little stock alfa put up a fight .Imagine if alfa 's engine had the 280bhp ecm tune...how did they built that thing!!!

[@bremms1]

Good review. The Alfa needs to be set up as a track car like the Exige. Ohlins suspension, sticky tires, engine tune.. Just like a modded Exige. It would be a better comparison.

[@ThrottleHouse]

+bremms1 the Alfa would win that hands down. Better chassis. But with the current set up of these two cars, they come in at around the same price. Hence the comparison.

[@RobertKarlBerta]

I have a 2015 4C LE. Mine is mostly stock . Some of us 4C owners have mods as you mentioned plus a proper sticky tire not the poor PZero. Those cars have proven to be track monsters. Not knocking the Lotus though....they were my other choice when I got my car....but the ALFA is next generation tech. like any car there are areas that could be improved but on the ALFA that is easy. The big win on the 4C....they have proven to be bullet proof engine and trans and very low consumables cost on track due to that light weight. Mine has been trouble free and a delight to drive. Frankly....if this was a stock Exige it would be no contest. Even against Exige Cup cars a proper 4C with a few tweaks will keep up no sweat.

[@liamcooper5202]

@@RobertKarlBerta Hows the 4C hold up with the new Chassis Elise/Exige? I would much rather know that than this 20year age age gap betweem these two.

[@RobertKarlBerta]

@@liamcooper5202 Good question....unfortunately here in the US the newer Exige models aren't available . In fact I didn't buy an Exige because I was waiting for the newer 6 cylinder models....and than along came the 4C. The engines also are much different than the Exige that was sold here. It was a Toyota 4 cylinder vs. the new 6 cylinder cars. On the other hand the new Exige are significantly more expensive than the 4C. That being said one of the cup cars would be nice. Note that the chassis on the Exige are fine...old and new cars. The 4C has several aftermarket companies making mods to take them to an even higher level. I have a friend that has one with ECU, firmer bushings, wider wheels and R compound tires, coil overs, more negative camber and a bit more caster (both better for track primary use). He tracks his car a huge amount on tracks all over the Western US. He turns times that are up there comparing to prepared Porsche RS2 and 3., Viper ACRs, etc. He often runs times at Time Attack events that take first, second or third overall top times of day in all classes including against all out race cars...and his is a street legal car. I suspect a lot of that is because of his huge amount of seat time but still....impressive. Overall both cars are superlative....the Exige here has been very extensively modified so even though it is an older car....it does have state of art suspension and engine mods. Bottom line....both are a blast to drive and the differences between them often is just the skill of the driver. My neighbor has an identical 4C to mine with the mods I mentioned above. Prior to that he had an Exige (4 cylinder Supercharged Toyota) with almost identical mods as the one in this video including bigger supercharge, better cooling, bigger intercooler, etc. He said that his ALFA is faster and better handling between the two (both modded). Not having owned an Exige I can't do a comparison but respect his opinion as he has owned a large number of track capable and all out race cars over the years.

[@liamcooper5202]

@@RobertKarlBerta The new Exige still runs a Toyota engine, the 2GR-FE out of the camrys. I also said it would be more fair to compare the Elise to the 4c than the new Exige. As the Elise is the only car runing a 4cyl, 2ZZ-FE. The only car in the Lotus lineup you can buy ovee there is the Evora, right?

[@kubenderanpillay8745]

Was the camera vehicle a focus rs in the video

[@ichigozanghetsu]

Although it's heavy compared to the c4 and exige, you should try the SW20 MR2 Turbo. Eventhough it isn't the original affordable mid engine 2 seater ( that title goes to the AW11 mr2 ).

[@peterorigenes4358]

I am fine with the US additional weight, a little more strength in the CF tub and side airbags. Not the best for track but am driving on backroads. BTW all the US cars also come with AC, euro cars with AC close the weight gap a little.

[@IrishStar]

Alfa Romeo all day long, everyday! 🇮🇹🍀🏎️

[@MrKrishnadevotee]

Great review! you should work for top gear, you more informative and understand the heart of cars better. Great comparison of these two beautiful cars

[@gbormann71]

Yes! 🙂

[@Jcraftmotorsport]

How’s the ITG intake power ?

[@patzo35]

The Lotus its tuned. END!

[@1183newman]

should have been exige v6 vs alfa romeo 4c. Same price second hand. Exige v6 has 345bhp over the 4c's 245bhp and weighs about same as the 4c.

[@eyeorewolf]

It's not just tuned it's highly modified. That Exige is 100% track, I can drive my 4C on the road I wouldn't feel comfortable driving the modified Exige on the road and technically it would be illegal to do so. Elise, Exige, 4C, Cayman all fantastic cars, the winner is a matter of personal preference and intended use, Cayman comes closest to meeting the daily driver checkbox, the other three are just fun toys, 4C wins overall if your intent is to play on twisting roads and avoid the added expense of tracking your car none of these are practical vehicles and if you can afford any of them you are blessed.

[@Reecesavage-Alwayswin]

@@eyeorewolf Exactly the 4c is 3 mods away from being a cup car we talking McLaren territory track times.

[@julialny25]

Nice!!! 😁😁😁

[@pegasuslux9701]

Awesome Alfa Romeo.

[@jorehir]

Put race-ish tires to the Alfa and it will immediately be 1 or 2 seconds quicker. Put a rear wing and a diffuser like they did on the Lotus, and it will gain another half a second. The Alfa is the laptime winner here.

[@antonioamendola4474]

I’m not sure it was a very fair comparison, I , having raced off and on since 1976 the moment i strap myself in a racing seat it’s worth 2 seconds a lap , so that tells me that the Alfa has tremendous potential with sticky tires , racing seats and a better suspension set up and maybe 30 or do more HP , in that case I would think the Alfa would blow the lotus in the weeds , hands down , but I do love the manual trans and steering of the Lotus , enjoyed the test , thanks

[@conradtestamark6142]

I love both of them, the 4c is the sis to the lotus Exige.

[@derekhemmes]

I sat in both a 4C and an Elise today (didn't drive either). Both about the same price. The 4C wins on looks (really looks like a mini-supercar in person), but the Elise had a raw appeal for sure. I'm going to test drive both next week and will get the one that puts the biggest smile on my face on the road. Really curious at how the paddle shifting goes on the 4C vs the stick on the Elise--I do like running through gears with a stick.

[@arjanvandenbrand2070]

And did you buy the 4C (like I did as well)?

[@derekhemmes]

@@arjanvandenbrand2070 I ended up going with a 2011 Elise. I test drove both and the steering and manual shifting on the Elise completely won me over.

[@arjanvandenbrand2070]

Enjoy the Elise, different but also a real drivers car

[@edlam7028]

hey Larry, who's Exige is it, I'm also from Toronto.

[@pinnacleadvanceddrivingaca3126]

Hello Ed ... it's own by one of the owners of our driving academy www.pinnacledriving.com

[@daveyboy6985]

I thought the exige had a 3.5L v6. Isn't it the elise with the 1.8L 4 cylinder motor?

[@emmanueloryang7988]

This is the old Exige S2 Exige had the 1.8 4cylinder 2zz ge. 2gr fr(3.5 supercharged V6) was introduced in the evora(2010) and Exige in 2012.

[@robertd4468]

I noticed that you were wearing the harness and the seatbelt simultaneously. It must be one of those systems that won’t shut up without the seatbelt fastened.

[@colincaissie8724]

Exactly!

[@isawahammerhead]

you mentioned more corner lean in the exige, could it be aluminum chassis vs carbon fibre tub in the Alfa being more stable/rigid? Also better tires on a better chassis would take away that 1 second advantage of the Exige quite easily. But don't get me wrong I'd love either of them ;)

[@ThrottleHouse]

+isawahammerhead yes it's as you said. The stock suspension in the exige does allow for some body lean and the chassis in the Alfa is more stiff for sure. The racing driver agrees that tires alone would make up the time difference.

[@OVER5TEER]

spring rates on exige are quite soft- they are set up to lean a lot from factory- also there is no rear antiroll bar

[@rombierto]

The S240 Exige here is on the stock "track pack" suspension. It rolls like a boat due to the soft springs which creates many handling problems such as sluggish turn in and slow response to quick transitions like through a series of essess. The Exige S240 doesn't need more power. The owner should have looked to the suspension for improvement. On the track suspension setup is everything.

[@ThrottleHouse]

"Rolls like a boat" is all relative though Lol. Driving that after coming from a "Normal" car is still very very impressive. I think the owner was just having fun with it and modding the engine. As I said though above, it's now on Penskes.

[@Silentwitness1978]

Like an F40 or similar, people don't care about the crap interior quality it's all about the drive.

[@Nixonbutcher]

Is this car hard to get in for shorter people?

[@mattlittlej]

For me I’d pick the 4C because if its playfulness and better looks