2004 Lotus Exige S2 190 Performance Race Pack

Highlights

• S2 Exige in striking condition

• Premium model with Race Pack and Exige Cup modifications

• One of the best driver’s cars ever 

• Low mileage

• Full maintenance history

 Overview 

All good things must come to an end, and it’s fair to say that a few tears were shed when the final Lotus Exige rolled out of Hethel in 2021. After all, it was a car launched to improve on one of the best cars ever made in the first place – and it nailed it. 

Huge fun to drive and true to company founder Colin Chapman’s mantra of “Simplify, then add lightness”, the Elise that it was based on was a perfectly honed driver’s car. 

Yet somehow, the Exige improved on it, and is remembered – quite rightly – as an absolute legend in PH folklore. It started life in 2000 as a coupé evolution of the Elise, built upon the same extruded aluminium chassis as its sister car. The extra stiffness meant it was always just that little bit sharper and edgier.

The original models were powered by the Rover K-Series engine, with heavily revised S2 models (from 2004) powered by a 1.8 litre Toyota twin cam instead. It featured a front splitter, fibreglass hardtop roof with roof scoop, rear engine cover, and rear spoiler, all of which were developed for the solitary purpose of increasing aerodynamic downforce – 45kg at 100mph, apparently.

This thinking – and moreover its execution – led contemporary reviewers to describe it as the best handling Lotus ever. Given that handling was always Lotus’s specialism, that’s quite the accolade. 

This one’s a late 2004 S2 with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine and standard six-speed manual gearbox, but It’s even sharper than most as it’s a Premium Race edition. 

Premium added such comfort functions as leather, air con and floor mats (about as luxurious as you can go with an Exige), but it’s the race part that’s the interesting bit – you got four-point safety devices harnesses, proper clamshell race seats, twin oil coolers and a roof-mounted air scoop, plus some special colour combinations, such as the Chrome Orange with black wheels seen on this example, which we can’t help but think is a bit of a stunner. 

It's also had a conversion to have an Elise-style detachable soft top, so you can enjoy it with the roof off should you so desire.

History and documentation

• First registered in the UK on 7 October 2004 and supplied new by Bell & Colvill in Leatherhead, Surrey

• UK V5C in the current owner’s name – four former keepers

• Service book shows stamps for the following services: 2005 @ 1,267 miles (main dealer); 2006 @ 2,601 miles (main dealer); 2010 @ 7,999 miles (main dealer – Lotus); 2010 @ 12,570 miles (main dealer); 2011 @ 13,915 miles (main dealer); 2012 @ 18,155 miles (main dealer); 2014 @ 19,746 miles (independent); 2015 @ 32,073 miles (main dealer); 2025 @ 35,150 miles (serviced by owner)

• There is also a file containing various parts and other invoices from the car’s life

• The 2015 service at Lotus Silverstone included the air conditioning condenser being replaced and the system recharged, and oil coolers and lines replaced
• The most recent service in Jul 2025 by the owner included fresh oil and filters, gearbox oil and sparkplugs

• MOT until 30 July, 2026 – passed with no advisory notices

• Two keys and alarm/immobiliser fobs

• Additional valet key

• Original Lotus book pack

Interior

• Alcantara-faced clamshell race seats in great order – minor wear to bottom edge of driver’s seat

• Four-point Safety Devices harnesses for driver and passenger

• Alcantara dash top

• Genuine floormats

• Head unit with integrated sat nav, Apple Carplay and Android Auto

• Air conditioning

• Central locking
• Cobra alarm/ immobiliser

• Three-spoke leather steering wheel

• Billeted aluminium gearknob

• Leather-trimmed door cards

Exterior

• Special order Chrome Orange

• Front clamshell has recently been refurbished to remove previous stonechips

• Matt black alloy wheels in good condition; some minor chips but no road rash

• Decent Toyo Proxes tyres all-round

• Black GRP rear boot spoiler

• Underside appears to be in good order 

• Very well-presented example with minimal marks and no evidence of any damage

• Soft-top conversion with soft-top included

 Mechanical

• 1.8-litre Toyota twin cam with variable valve timing

• Six-speed manual transmission

• 190bhp

• 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds

• 155mph electronically limited top speed

• Adjustable anti-roll bars

• Twin upgraded oil coolers (Exige Cup upgrade)

• Ohlins 2-way adjustable dampers (Exige Cup upgrade)

• Accusump oil accumulator in boot (Exige Cup upgrade)

• The seller advises that the car has just had a major service and exhibits no mechanical faults

Summary

The Exige is a cracking car at the best of times, but this one really stands out. That’s partly because of its colour, of course, but more than that, it’s pretty much ready to jump in and take on a track day – the seats and harnesses, adjustable suspension and upgraded oil coolers meaning it’s pretty much set up for the job.

It’s also a low mileage car, presented in lovely overall condition. Put simply, what’s not to like? 

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 near Chester, Cheshire.