2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES

This Lotus Exige S1 is a superb example of one of the great contemporary driver’s cars, boasting low mileage and fastidious maintenance history. Its engine is the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated inline-four, which had the 190bhp upgrade fitted in 2006, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows just 13,100 miles from new.

Supplied by HR Owen in early 2001, this car was initially sold to a collector who essentially stored the car for five years. It then passed to its second owner in 2006, and was treated to a full service and cambelt replacement to ensure it was in sound mechanical condition, and was fitted with the 190bhp power upgrade.

It has been serviced annually without fail since then, and was acquired by the seller five-and-a-half years ago. Shortly before he purchased it, this Exige took part in Evo’s ‘The Best Car We’ve Ever Driven’ feature, appearing on the cover of the October 2014 edition - the magazine’s 200th issue.

The car’s composite bodywork is in great shape, with no evidence of any accident damage, and remains entirely standard apart from an upgraded rear diffuser - though the original component is included in the sale. It rides on the original Lotus OEM six-spoke double-arm alloy wheels, with a 16-inch diameter at the front and 17-inch at the rear, which are in wonderful condition.

The black paint finish is also in very good order, with the seller noting one touched-in blemish of around 15mm on the offside wheel arch, and stone chips around the front clam shell as you would expect, which have also been touched in. There is Armourfend paint protection film applied to the car, so generally it remains in excellent condition.

Inside, as with the exterior, the car is in pleasingly original order. The lightweight motorsport seats are in good condition, with no damage to the upholstery and virtually no wear to speak of. They are also equipped with four-point Shroth harnesses. The seller reports a slight scratch on the interior chassis, which occurred when one of the seats was removed. There are no warning lights on the dashboard, and all of the buttons and switchgear are reported to work perfectly.

This Exige is in superb mechanical condition, benefiting from regular maintenance over the years at main dealers and recognised specialists. It remains in stock specification, the exception of the 190bhp Lotus power pack, Nitron NTR suspension, and a Pro Alloy radiator upgrade. The original shock absorbers come with the car.

Its last scheduled maintenance was in August 2019 at 12,983 miles, which consisted of a full service, cambelt replacement, and new spark plugs, carried out by Lotus specialist Unit 4 in Staffordshire. Prior to this, its most recent services were in October 2018 at 12,916 miles, and in October 2017 at 12,731 miles. During the 2018 work, a lightweight Odyssey battery and cut-off switch were installed, along with new gear selector bushes.

During the seller’s ownership, the car has also benefited from a new water pump during the 2015 cambelt service, and a new heater matrix that has just been installed. The car has also recently been treated to a full paint correction detailing session and ceramic polish.

The most recent MOT test was on 23 October 2019 at 13,069 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories whatsoever. The wheels are shod in Yokohama Advan tyres, which are 11 years old but remain in good condition with plenty of tread.

Accompanying this car is the original handbook and service record, though the latter has only one stamp for the visit at 1,048 miles in 2006 - all other annual services since then are all evidenced by receipts and invoices.

Revisiting the Exige in 2013 in Classic and Sports Car magazine, journalist Steve Sutcliffe heaped praise upon the car, stating: “Its unassisted steering feels digitally precise, enabling you to place that little nose to the nearest quarter-inch, seemingly, through any given bend. And because there’s so little mass to manage the handling response always seems immediate.”

This Lotus Exige S1 is a wonderfully involving and exciting track-focused but road-legal sports car. It is finished in a handsome black-on-black specification, and remains highly original, with factory components retained to reverse the discreet modifications if desired. With just 604 examples of the Exige S1 understood to have been built, this is a genuinely rare modern classic, and it would be very hard to find another with such low mileage and in such superb condition.

Summary of service history:

  • 20/05/2006 - 1,048 miles (inc. cambelt and 190bhp upgrade)
  • 30/04/2007 - 2,188 miles (inc. brake fluid)
  • 30/04/2008 - 3,029 miles (inc. brake fluid, spark plugs)
  • 28/04/2009 - 4,376 miles (inc. brake fluid, HT leads)
  • 21/04/2010 - 6,604 miles (inc. cambelt and suspension upgrade)
  • 02/10/2011 - 8,031 miles (inc. brake pads and sensor, S2 throttle cable linkage)
  • 27/04/2012 - 9,469 miles
  • 24/04/2013 - 11,196 miles
  • 01/04/2014 - 11,362 miles (inc. track rod ends, brake and clutch fluid)
  • 12/05/2015 - 12,043 miles (inc. cambelt and water pump)
  • 02/09/2016 - 12,360 miles
  • 27/10/2017 - 12,731 miles
  • 12/10/2018 - 12,916 miles (inc. new gear selector bushes, lightweight battery)
  • 13/08/2019 - 12,983 miles (inc. cambelt, spark plugs)

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.

Please note: the cherished plate shown on the car is not included in the sale. It will be switched back to an age-related registration plate in the event of a successful auction.

Car Overview

  • 13,100 miles
  • manual
  • RHD
  • Black (B02)
  • Black and Grey Alcantara
  • 1.8L


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Lot Overview

  • Lot #01029
  • private Sale
  • Chesterfield, United Kingdom

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2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES2001 LOTUS EXIGE (S1) - 13,100 MILES
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