2008 Lotus Exige S

Brought to the US for 2007, the Exige S is the quickest street legal car the company produces. Apart from more power, the Exige S differs from the Elise in that it comes as a hardtop coupe and is a more hard-core performance car, which could be readily taken to track days. To this end, it also includes a front splitter, rear wing and underbody diffuser. Buyers also get Lotus Sport Suspension with Eibach springs and Bilstein mono-tube shocks connected to lightweight forged aluminum wheels in a matte black finish, no doubt to hide brake dust better.

Powering the Exige S is a supercharged and air-to-air intercooled version of the same Toyota-sourced 1.8 liter inline-four used in the Elise. In the Exige S, it produces 220 horsepower at 8,000 rpm along with 165 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm. It features Toyota's variable valve timing and lift system. The only transmission is a six-speed close-ratio manual, sending power to the nearby rear wheels.

The Exige S weighs in at just under 2,100 lbs, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the sports car gets 23 mpg in the EPA's city cycle and 29 mpg on the highway.

Standard fare is better explained from a performance standpoint, as that's what the Elise is all about. Buyers get staggered wheels, with 16-inch front wheels and 17-inch rears, wrapped in soft Yokohama Advan Neova A048 LTS ultra performance tires, and Lotus / AP Racing and Brembo caliper squeezing four vented and cross-drilled discs with anti-lock control.

There is also a pair of airbags, and even air-conditioning, though buyers have the costly option of deleting it to save about 20 lbs.

Options include a Touring Pack, with niceties such as an insulated top, full leather seat and door trim, upgraded stereo system, more sound insulation and carpets and a cargo net.

A Track Pack is comprised of adjustable Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs up front, five-position adjustable front anti-sway bar, a rear control arm brace and fittings in the seat belt support structure to allow for a bolt-in harness bar.

A traction control system with an off switch is another option which needs to be picked before a torque-sensing limited slip differential can be ordered.

Metallic paint adds 10 color options to the base car's two and lifestyle paint buys one a choice of eight distinct colors, while a Starshield clear protection film to protect the body from chips.