Lotus listened to its customers who loved the light weight of the Exige and appreciated the power offered by the Evora, even though it was heavier. So it combined the two vehicles.
At first sight, Lotus just did another Elise coupe and used the Exige badges on it. But it was more than that, and customers quickly noticed and started placing orders for this magnificent track-ready lightweight sports car.
At the front, there was a new pair of headlights, which also marked the disappearance of the inner lamps. In addition, a keen eye for details could also notice the different grille and the more aggressive scoops and front apron. In addition, from its profile, the car revealed a longer wheelbase needed to accommodate the new powerplant installed behind the cockpit. Moreover, since it was a track-ready sports car, it couldn't come without a wing on the trunk.
The interior received nicer sports seats with cut-outs for racing harnesses. Moreover, the longer wheelbase allowed a slightly longer seat travel back and forth for shorter or taller occupants. The dashboard, on the other hand, remained just as simple as before, with just three knobs for the HVAC system, an aftermarket sound system, and a ring to keep your bottle hanging under the dash panel, but there was no center stack for the Exige S.
Still, the most significant change for the 2012 Exige S was the powerplant. Instead of the previously used Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter engine, now stood a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 carried over from the Camry. It was paired exclusively with a six-speed manual and sent its power to the rear wheels.