First brought to the US for 2007, the Exige S was the quickest street legal car the company produced. Now, the new beefed up Exige S260 takes the crown for the fastest Lotus to hit the streets yet. Its little brother, the S240, is no slouch either.

Although the overall styling of the Exige has remained largely unchanged, Lotus has decided to update the front fascia with a new look that also offers functional benefits as well. A newer, larger 'mouth' channels more air into the radiator, while two new opening on either side of the radiator channel air into the twin oil coolers.

Below the modified openings is a new lower aero splitter, which now wraps around the whole front end and comes with chiseled side lips to deflect air around the tires -- further reducing drag.

Out back, the new Exige gains a composite rear wing, first seen on the Exige GT3 road car concept. This new wing is 7.1 inches wider, is mounted 1.8 inches higher and 2.4 inches further back compared to the previous model year.Not only is the wing's size and location different, but it is also mounted to the body via end plates which increases stiffness and increases airflow over the wing - all told, it maintains an impressive 93 pounds of downforce at 100 mph.

Apart from more power, the Exige S240 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. As the name suggests, the Exige S240 version produces 240 horsepower at 8,000 rpm along with 170 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 S240 weighs in at just under 2,100 lbs, and returns 20 mpg in the EPA's city cycle and 26 mpg on the highway. The Exige S240 sprints from zero-to-60 in just 4.1 seconds, and finishes the race to 100 in just ten seconds.

For those looking for that extra push in extreme performance, look no further than the Lotus Exige S260 - the lighter and more powerful Exige.

The Exige S260 adds lightness and power to push the performance envelope even further through the extensive use of carbon fiber panels to replace the front lower splitter, front access panels at the base of the windshield, roof, rear engine cover, side air intake ducts and rear wing.

The Exige S260 crosses the scales approximately 50 pounds lighter than the S 240, yet it also has an additional 17 horsepower on tap - bringing the 260 S to a grand total of 257 hp.

The improved power-to-weight ratio enables the S260 to rocket through zero-to-60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

Standard fare is better explained from a performance standpoint, as that is 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.

Lotus guarantees your roadster with a 3-year, 36,000 mile limited warranty.