Few manufacturers have embraced the philosophy of lightweight performance quite as successfully as Lotus. The guiding principle of founder Colin Chapman, famously expressed as 'simplify, then add lightness', has underpinned the marque's most celebrated sporting models for generations. Few cars embody that philosophy more completely than the Series I Exige. Introduced in 2000, the Exige took the already hugely successful Elise platform and developed it into a more focused, track-orientated proposition. With its distinctive aerodynamic bodywork, purposeful stance and motorsport-inspired character, it looked every inch the miniature racing car. Beneath the bodywork sat the familiar 1.8 litre K-Series engine, in this instance the highly tuned Very High-Performance Derivative (VHPD), producing 190 bhp.

With a kerb weight of approximately 780kg, the Exige offered an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio, translating into a 0-60mph time of just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. Power is delivered through a five-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels, providing the direct, involving driving experience for which Lotus has become renowned.

The Series I Exige was produced in relatively limited numbers, with just over 600 examples believed to have been built, making these early cars particularly desirable among Lotus enthusiasts and collectors.

This 2001 example is an appealing representation of the original Exige concept. Accompanied by an excellent history from marque specialists and a fully stamped service book, it has clearly benefited from attentive maintenance throughout its life. The car presents well overall, with its interior retaining much of its original appeal. The desirable bucket seats are in very good condition and are complemented by four-point safety harnesses. The door cards, headlining and undamaged dashboard are all reported to be in good order. A Sony stereo head unit with remote control is fitted, together with a passenger-mounted fire extinguisher.

There are some areas of note. The Alcantara steering wheel shows wear and may benefit from retrimming, while the air-conditioning system is reported by the vendor not to blow cold. The remaining gauges and switchgear are understood to be fully functional. Externally, the bodywork appears straight, with consistent panel gaps and no apparent evidence of corrosion or previous accident damage. The Laser Blue paintwork does, however, exhibit signs of micro-blistering across almost every panel, together with some stone chipping to the front. The factory 17-inch alloy wheels present well in satin black, although both rear wheels show some light kerb marking.

The underside appears to be in good overall condition, with the correct underbody panels and skid trays present. There is some light surface corrosion to certain suspension components. The engine bay is clean and the area beneath the bonnet is also reported to be in good condition. Mechanically, the Exige benefits from a recent suspension overhaul, an important consideration on a car whose appeal rests so heavily on its handling and road manners.

The vendor reports that the engine starts readily from cold, the car delivers strong performance and that there are no apparent mechanical issues, knocks or bangs. The steering and handling are also reported to be very good, with the car driving as an Exige should.

The Lotus Exige Series I has rightly earned its place among the most celebrated lightweight sports cars of its generation. Combining the purity of the Elise with a more focused, competition-inspired character, it offers an exceptionally engaging driving experience that remains difficult to replicate in modern performance cars. Consigned by Dominic Lake

Lot details
Year: 2001
Make: Lotus
Model: Exige 190bhp
Registration: Y717 SEO
Chassis No: SCCGA11171HF80537
Odometer: 36,000

* 190bhp version
* Rare and increasingly sought-after Series I
* Impressive service history