Lotus Exige

A 3.5-litre V6 gives the Exioge 397bhp and punches the car to 60mph in 3.7 seconds.

Price: £82,675 Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6

Power: 397bhp

Torque: 420Nm

Max speed:

O-60mph:

MPG (combined):

Emissions:

Lotus has a fine tradition of creating special-edition models but this one – the Exige Sport 390 Final Edition – really is the last of the line.

First released in 2000, the Exige became synonymous with the blossoming track dayfocused scene. This Final Edition car shows what the Exige really can do, with more power, more aggressive aerodynamics and a series of interior modifications.

The engine sends its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and boasts more punch than the outgoing Sport 350, with an extra 47bhp coming from revised calibration related to the supercharger.

Slot in behind the Exige’s beautifully well-positioned steering wheel and you’re immediately aware that this is a car geared up towards making the most of driving. Move off and you’re met by a clutch that isn’t too heavy or difficult to get used to and an open-gate gearbox with an action as close to perfection as you’ll get from a road car.

That 3.5-litre V6 grumbles away behind you, but build the revs and it quickly transforms into a kicking, screaming animal of an engine. It’s accompanied by a change of pace that is genuinely intoxicating, with the torque allowing you to simply lean on the throttle and very quickly gather some serious pace. But it’s that unassisted steering that’s the star here, delivering genuine feedback and allowing you to use cambers to its advantage – the Exige seems to dive into undulations and slingshot itself forward in quite impressive fashion.

If you want an example of how a small car can have presence, take a look at the Exige. Of course, a huge rear wing and widened body kit will inevitably have an effect on how a car is perceived, but the way the Exige turns heads is impressive, to say the least. Our car, in bright orange, looked particularly stand-out, while the contrasting black sections on the bonnet, roof and diffuser only pushed the flamboyance further.

But it’s what you expect from a Lotus Exige. It’s never been a car to fly under the radar

The Lotus turns heads with its huge rear wing and widened body kit, plus the bright orange paintwork!

The interior is designed around the driver with perfectly positioned controls.

or shy away from attention, so it’s almost reassuring to see it retaining its larger-than-life styling features.

As you’d expect from a car so focused on the art of going quickly, the interior of the Exige isn’t one overburdened by features or systems. The steering wheel, as mentioned, is positioned perfectly and is trimmed in Alcantara, too.

You’ve got sport and race modes within easy reach to edit the car’s settings on the fly, while the gear shifter is placed at just the right height. Creature comforts, such as cruise control, can be added, while air conditioning is a £1,250 option. If you’re planning on using your Exige during the summer, we’d argue that this is a worthwhile purchase.

Although the Exige isn’t a car you’ll look towards when it comes to the latest technology, Lotus has added some new features to this Final Edition. It incorporates a new TFT digital dashboard that can be configured to show one of two displays. The first is a more conventional setup in place of ‘regular’ dials, while the second is more like the one you’d find in a full-on race car with a digital read-out and engine speed bar.

A range of exterior colours is available for the Exige that hark back to some of Lotus’s classic models. You can also have an interior colour pack for £500 that will add some trim sections finished in the same shade as the exterior to the cabin.

Top Gear said: ‘The role it serves, and its legacy once it’s gone, will be to remind you that no one cares as much about driving as Lotus.’

Driving the Lotus Exige Sport 390 Final Edition is an experience that few others can match. It’s all-encompassing, hugely exciting and feels like a true example of how chassis and engine can be perfectly linked to one another. As a road car it’s sensational and on the track – which we experienced for a few laps – it’s on another level.

Of course, seeing it bow out was never going to be a happy occasion. But to finish on a high like this feels like a more-than-fitting tribute to the Exige’s legacy.

Those who want an unfiltered and exciting driving experience.

Caterham 620R, Morgan Plus Six, Ariel Atom.

1. Lightweight nature. 2.Massive performance. 3.Track-day versatility.