The original Exige was launched in 2000 with a naturally aspirated 1.8 L Rover K Series Inline-four engine in VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) tune.

It comes with a lightened, 15 kg (33.1 lb) air conditioning system, sports seats finished in black leather with a harness bar.

It features an orange Exige logo on the seats and floor mats, door trims, centre console and stitching.

The car also received Lotus Sport forged 5-spoke OZ Racing alloy wheels, body mods including a roof scoop to supply more air to the intercooler, two bespoke colour choices (Blaze Orange and Sapphire Black), and limited edition badging.

The Sapphire Black models received a Chrome Orange front splitter and rear wing endplates.

In this model, which saw the ECU re-mapped as well as upgraded injectors and fuel pump to cope with the new fuel type, the brakes have also been upgraded to four-piston AP Racing callipers with increased diameter 310 mm (12.2 in) sport brake pads mated with drilled and vented discs at the front.

Lotus says it has no intention to build the 265E (265 indicates the approximate horsepower and the E indicates the "environmentally favourable bio-ethanol E85 fuel" powering the engine) as a limited number standard production car, and that it is simply a biofuels demonstrator.

It featured the 1.8-litre engine based on the Exige S road car rated at 355 PS (261 kW; 350 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 305 N⋅m (225 lb⋅ft) at 6,000 rpm, increased frontal area to accommodate the wider track, revising the front radiator inlet and outlet areas, reducing the cross-sectional areas of both, extending the nose forward by approximately 3 cm (1 inch), bodywork extending 8 cm rearward, widening 10 cm (3.9 inches) and losing almost 3 cm in height at the rear deck, body parts produced in lightweight ZPREG carbon fibre using an innovative mould-making process that features room temperature curing rather than an oven, elimination of roof scoop that fed cooling air to the engine's intercooler, change to a water-to-air intercooler.

[15][16] The Stealth is a limited production run version of the Lotus Exige S with 1,796 cc (1.8 L; 109.6 cu in) supercharged and intercooled Inline-4 engine from Exige Cup 260 rated at 260 PS (191 kW; 256 bhp) at 8,000 rpm and 236 N⋅m (174 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm,[17] matte black body colour, Phantom Black triple stripes that run the length of the car, carbon-fibre front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side air scoops and rear spoiler, seats and centre console made from carbon fibre, anodised handbrake and gear knob in anthracite colour, carbon-fibre components in high-gloss clear lacquer finish, Lotus Launch Control, Lotus Traction Control, variable-slip traction control, Öhlins 2-way adjustable dampers, Eibach Springs with variable-height spring platforms, matt black lightweight forged wheels with Yokohama 048 LTS tyres, ride height adjustment to reduce the ride height from 130 mm (5.12 in) to 120 mm (4.72 in), lightweight flywheel, sports-type clutch plate, heavy-duty clutch cover, C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) and Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit).

[20] It includes Toyota's supercharged 1.8 litre 2ZZ VVTL-i engine rated at 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp), Lotus ultra lightweight forged alloy wheels, Performance pack, Sport pack, Touring pack, choice of four body colours (Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow & Carbon Grey), Roger Becker's signature on the rear of the car, a Roger Becker numbered plaque, monochrome Lotus badges, structural shear panel (which increases the lateral stiffness of the rear subframe by 30%) and air conditioning.

Sport seats in ebony leather with black technical fabric Inserts and gold contrast stitching and piping.

'Race Pack' is standard with four mode Lotus dynamic performance management system (DPM), launch control, exhaust bypass valve override switch and optimised suspension.

Improved brake discs are hidden behind Motorsport Red wheels, and each car comes with a numbered build plate.

They're eligible to race in the Lotus Cup series, and for those really wanting to hit the track, the options include adjustable anti-roll bars, Öhlins dampers, a fire extinguisher, electrical cut-off, FIA carbon seats, air conditioning, and a removable steering wheel.

It is lighter and faster than the Exige S and is the next step on Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales' ladder to recovery for the British sports car maker.

Like the coupé, the car features a carbon fibre tailgate and side intakes, and there’s also a lightweight battery and engine mounts.

Often referred to as the "GT3 Touring of Exiges," it features all the body elements of the Cup and 380 Carbon Edition versions while retaining the original rear wing for a more understated look.

The Lotus Exige Type 25 is easily recognisable by a numbered plaque located in front of the passenger seat.

It also incorporates aerodynamic carbon elements from the Cup versions, particularly the side skirts, front spoiler, mirrors, and rear bumper.

The 3.5-litre, super-charged V6 engine is now uprated and produces 375 hp (380 PS; 280 kW) and 410 N⋅m (302 lb⋅ft) of torque with a 6500 rpm red line achieved by revised supercharger and ECU.

The Exige Sport 380 weighs 1,076 kg (2,372 lb), thanks to the extensive use of carbon fibre on the exterior as well as the interior, the application of polycarbonate windows instead of traditional glass windows and a newly designed rear transom panel which features two rear lights instead of four.

Performance of the car remains the same as the Sport 380 but it features more aero components and a larger rear wing to produce more downforce at high speeds.

The Cup 430 is 19 kg (42 lb) lighter than the Sport 380 due to the use of carbon fibre in body panels and interior and a titanium exhaust.

It shares much of its running gear with former, however the settings have been dialled back to establish a suitable character for both road and track driving.

Further aero-based addenda, including the front splitter, rear-wing and aluminium diffuser combine to generate 150 kg of downforce.

Keeping the mass in check is the same suspension setup from the 430 Cup, comprising three-way adjustable nitron dampers and Eibach anti-rolls bars, at both ends.

Powering the model is a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine shared with the wider Exige range, tuned to develop 397 bhp (403 PS; 296 kW) and 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft).

It is the fastest vehicle in the line-up in a straight line, extracting 420 bhp (426 PS; 313 kW), and 427 N⋅m (315 lb⋅ft) from its 3.5-litre supercharged V6 to complete the 0–100 km/h sprint in a claimed 3.4 seconds, and rocketing to a top speed of 290 km/h.

Sitting atop the range is the Exige Cup 430 Final Edition, which derives 430 bhp (436 PS; 321 kW) and 440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) from its supercharged V6 powerplant, for a claimed 0–100 km/h sprint time of 3.3 seconds.

Simply Sports Cars in Australia ran an Exige Cup R in endurance racing during 2014 and 2015 at the Bathurst 12 Hour, with class wins on both occasions.