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A return to Hethel is always a pleasure. Lotus' home always gives me a little bit of a tingle in my 'yes' place and the chance to muck about in the new Exige S amplified it to near pirapismic heights.

Y'see, when Lotus calls a car 'Exige' you know they're not mucking about. Similarly, you know that you're likely to leave with a big grin on your face. Of course, Lotus' current nomenclature means that adding 'S' to a name means it's got a supercharger too. Which is nice.

The current car is the third Exige -- the first was based on the S1, while the second was based on the rather delicious S2 and came with all manner of engine tweaks. Anyway, compared to the new one they're... child's play.

Y'see, this one gets the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 straight out of the Evora S. The result? 345bhp, 295lb ft, a top speed of 170mph and 0-62mph in less 4.0seconds. All in a car smaller than R2D2.

On top of its silly powerplant, there's also the fact that it was developed by Lotus -- that means it's one of the finest handling cars in the world. It'll slide when provoked, but otherwise it'll grip like nothing else.

As well as having silly power and handling finesse, the Exige S boasts a first -- traction control. The Dynamic Performance System, as Lotus calls it, gives the Exige an electronic brain that not only stops you from falling off the road, but can give you a faster lap time as well. Y'see, 'tour' mode is the 'don't crash mode', 'sport' is best called 'hero mode' as it lets the Exige's arse step out of line from time to time and 'race' mode -- it's really clever. Race mode will learn the track you're on and will give you access to its fearsome power when it thinks you're capable of using it -- no matter how hard your foot is pressed on the go pedal. A Lotus development driver told me that in a race around Hethel a car ser to 'race' will be quicker than one with no traction on at all... So not only is this the most powerful Exige, it's also the cleverest.

The Exige is a car that fills its driver with confidence, it fires you from A-B with such ferocity that you can't help but grin like a loon. To go alongside the power, its noise is pretty incredible. You won't forget there's a 3.5-litre V6 mere inches behind your ear in a hurry.

On track the Exige S will humble things twice its price and cars with horses for logos. Driving it in the real world may be a struggle, but you'll do it because as an experience it's simply brilliant.

VIDEOS IN ENDBOARD

Morgan Plus 8: http://bit.ly/1KxLROT

Jaguar XKR-S: http://bit.ly/1ArNLRe

Chevrolet Camaro: http://bit.ly/1zQay87

Lotus Exige S: http://bit.ly/1rSHfhg

Specs
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 345bhp
Torque: 295lb ft
0-60mph: 4.0seconds
Top speed: 170mph

Written/Presented: Alex Goy
Shot/Edited: Nick Wilkinson

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