2007 Lotus Exige S2

Highlights

• Desirable Exige S2 from first year of production

• Excellent condition throughout

• Under 45,000 miles from new

• Will be serviced and MoT’d before sale

• Strong history

Overview

Introduced in 2007 to address criticism of the Exige offering no power increase over the Elise - despite the significant price increase - the Exige S saw the Toyota-source 2ZZ-GE engine supercharged, boosting its output by 30bhp and upping the torque to 165 lb-ft at 5,600rpm. 

Offering the direct handling and near-psychic steering inputs and controls of the Elise but with added grunt and a significantly more ‘hardcore’ track-ready appearance and setup, including a roof-scoop to feed the aforementioned supercharger, and a fixed rear wing, the Exige S was a hit with long-time Lotus fans and newcomers to the marque alike. 

This particular Exige S is from the first year of production, and is finished in arguably one of the best colours for the model - Ardent Red - set off against contrasting black lightweight wheels and Union Jack decals on the rear wing. 

Boasting a strong history and in excellent condition throughout having covered just 43,132 miles at the time of photography, this is a fantastic opportunity to get into a low-mileage, well-kept Exige S in time for some summer fun.

History and documentation

• Registered 25 Oct 2007

• Stamped service book with services as follows: 957 miles (no date), Jun 2008 @ 4,704 miles, Oct 2008 @ 6,335 miles, Nov 2009 @ 11,295 miles, Oct 2010 @ 14,761 miles, Oct 2011 @ 17,380 miles, Nov 2012 @ 18,598 miles, Mar 2016 @ 24,920 miles, Mar 2017 @ 26,460 miles, Oct 2019 @ 32,680 miles, Sep 2020 @ 34,346 miles, Oct 2021 @ 37,365 miles, Nov 2022 @ 38,011 miles

• Invoice for servicing in Aug 2023 @ 40,671 miles

• Servicing handbook

• Collection of invoices for major and minor works, with works in recent years carried out by marque specialist Purbeck Sports Cars

• Roof mod, engine mounts and new exhaust downpipe fitted in Feb 2011

• Two keys

• Current MOT with advisories for headlight adjustment expires 16 Apr 2025

• The seller states that a fresh service and MoT will be carried out prior to sale

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant 

• Two spare wheels (without tyres) are included with the sale

• Indoor car cover included

Interior

• The pared-back, performance-focused interior of this Exige S presents in very good condition throughout

• Racing bucket seats fitted with Schroth harnesses

• Red leather accents

• Aftermarket radio with USB connectivity

• We note a few small marks to the seat base cushions, but no signs of any rips or damage

• The steering wheel, shifter and door cards exhibit some small marks, but nothing untoward for a vehicle of this age and mileage

• There are a few small scuffs to the centre tunnel sides

• The seller states there are no known faults, and no warning lights illuminated

Exterior

• The Ardent Red bodywork is in very good condition overall, showing only commensurate signs of wear as expected for a performance vehicle 

• It features an expensively retrofitted extended roof scoop and 2010-style rear wing

• The front end exhibits some light scuffs and stone chips, as do the mirror caps and lower bumper area

• Looking closer, there is a paint run or imperfection on the offside edge of the bonnet clam, above the front brake duct

• The headlights are crystal clear, with no signs of any hazing

• Elsewhere, there are some small scuffs to the carbon side intake trims, as well as around the fuel filler cap

• The leading edge of the roof exhibits some larger stone chips and scuffs

• All four wheels are in excellent shape with no kerb rash or damage, and the seller tells us that 4x Toyo Proxes tyres were fitted in December and have covered fewer than 500 miles

• The luggage area is clean and tidy

• Underneath, everything looks to be in order as far as we can see

• No reported or recorded crash damage

• Overall, this looks to be a well-kept example of the punchy British sports car

Mechanical

• 1.8-litre, mid-mounted inline-four Toyota 2ZZ-GE supercharged petrol engine producing 218 bhp and 165 lb-ft of torque as standard; the seller advises that the wick has been turned up to 260bhp

• Six-speed Aisin manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• The engine bay presents well, with uprated Forge silicone hoses fitted to the air-to-air intercooler

• A baffled sump was reportedly installed to prevent oil starvation for track use in 2023
• The seller advises that the invoice for over £1900 in Aug 2023 was for a full refresh of the shock absorbers and springs

• The oil cap is clean underneath, as is the filler neck, with no buildup noted

• There are no reported faults or untoward noises

Summary

Presented for sale in very good order having been used sparingly throughout its lifetime with less than 45,000 miles on the odometer, this is a rare, largely unmodified example of the supercharged track-day or fast-road Exige S, which appears to require nothing other than a tank of fuel before being unleashed on your favourite B road.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Poole, Dorset.