The Lotus Exige is a two-seat mid-engine coupe that shares mechanical components with the Elise and was added to the U.S. lineup for 2006. For 2007, Lotus added the Exige S to the U.S. lineup, powered by a powered by a supercharged, intercooled version of the 1.8-liter engine used in the standard Exige to produce 220 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. For 2008 the normally-aspirated Exige was dropped and the S 240 was added. Distinguished from the Exige S by the air intake on the roof that extends to the top of the windshield, the Exige S 240 boasts 240 horsepower, is capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in just 4 seconds and reaches 100 mph in just under 10 seconds.
The 2009 Lotus Exige adds the S 260 alongside the S 240 and the Exige S drops from the lineup. The S 260 uses carbon fiber for the front lower splitter, access panels at the base of the windshield, roof, rear engine cover, side air intake ducts and rear wing to reduce the weight by approximately 50 pounds over the S 240. The S 260 also adds an additional 17 horsepower.