Lotus Exige 240R - Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Lightweight Sports Coupé |
| Released At | 2005 Geneva Motor Show |
| Built At | Hethel, Norfolk, England |
| Engine | 1.8 L Supercharged Inline-4 (Toyota-sourced 2ZZ-GE) |
| Position | Mid-Engine, Transverse |
| Aspiration | Supercharged |
| Block Material | Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 Valves per Cylinder with VVTL-i |
| Fuel Feed | Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Displacement | 1796 cc / 109.6 in³ |
| Bore | 82 mm / 3.23 in |
| Stroke | 85 mm / 3.35 in |
| Compression | 11.5:1 |
| Power | 179 kW / 240 hp |
| Specific Output | 133.6 hp per liter |
| BHP/Weight | 300 bhp per tonne |
| Torque | 230 Nm / 170 lb-ft |
| Top Speed | 249 km/h / 155 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | 3.9 seconds |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 4.0 seconds |
| Body / Frame | Bonded Aluminum Chassis with Composite Body Panels |
| Driven Wheels | RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) |
| Wheel Type | Forged Alloy Wheels |
| Front Tires | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tires | 225/45R17 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs with 4-Piston Calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs with 2-Piston Calipers |
| Front Wheels | 40.6 x 20.3 cm / 16 x 8 in |
| Rear Wheels | 43.2 x 22.9 cm / 17 x 9 in |
| Front Suspension | Independent Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Adjustable Dampers |
| Rear Suspension | Independent Double Wishbone with Coil Springs and Adjustable Dampers |
| Curb Weight | 870 kg / 1918 lbs |
| Weight Distribution | 39 % Front / 61 % Rear |
| Wheelbase | 2300 mm / 90.6 in |
| Length | 3797 mm / 149.4 in |
| Width | 1719 mm / 67.7 in |
| Height | 1159 mm / 45.6 in |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 8.5 L/100 km or 27.7 mpg-US |
| Fuel Capacity | 43 liters or 11.4 gallons |

Limited to Just 50 Units Worldwide – The Lotus Exige 240R was an extremely rare special edition, with only 50 examples ever built, making it one of the rarest Exige models.
First Supercharged Exige – The 240R was the first Lotus Exige to feature a factory-installed supercharger, introducing forced induction to the lightweight sports car lineup.
Powered by a Supercharged Toyota Engine – The 1.8-liter 2ZZ-GE inline-4 engine, sourced from Toyota, was fitted with a Roots-type supercharger, boosting power to 240 hp and 230 Nm of torque.
Incredibly Lightweight – Weighing just 930 kg (2,050 lbs), the Exige 240R had an insane power-to-weight ratio, allowing for supercar-like acceleration and handling.
0-100 km/h in Just 3.9 Seconds – Thanks to its low weight and increased power, the Exige 240R could sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest Lotus cars at the time.
Track-Focused with Adjustable Suspension – The Exige 240R came standard with Öhlins adjustable dampers, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car’s handling for road or track use.
Special Edition Colors – The 240R was offered in two exclusive colors: Sport Yellow and Sport Black, both with a contrasting black roof and black wheels.
Aerodynamic Enhancements for Maximum Downforce – The large rear wing, front splitter, and rear diffuser helped improve aerodynamics, providing better high-speed stability and cornering grip.
Developed by Lotus Sport – The Exige 240R was built by Lotus Sport, the motorsport division of Lotus, ensuring race-inspired engineering and tuning.
One of the Most Collectible Exige Models – Due to its limited production, lightweight construction, and track-focused upgrades, the Exige 240R is now one of the most desirable Lotus models for collectors and enthusiasts.
Lotus Exige 240R Price

The Exige 240R is the rarest and most hardcore factory-built Exige—a supercharged, track-focused missile with only 50 units produced worldwide. In Europe, it’s a €100k+ collector’s item, blending Elise agility with near-supercar performance.
1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)
Standard 240R (2005–2006)
Track-Used (High Mileage, >30k km): €80k – €100k(Even well-driven examples are rare and valuable.)
Well-Preserved (10k–20k km): €110k – €130k(Full service history and original spec critical.)
Concours-Grade (<5k km): €150k – €180k+(Unmodified, with factory delivery books.)
Special Provenance
Factory Demo/Works Driver-Owned: €200k+
Original "Carbon Pack" Cars: +€20k
Unused Yokohama A048 Tires: +€5k(If still on original set!)
2. Key Factors Affecting Value
✅ Provenance is Everything
Single-Owner Cars: +25% premium
Lotus Motorsport History: Verify with factory records
✅ Ultra-Rare Original Features
Titanium Exhaust (Standard on 240R): +€10k if intact
Carbon Fiber Splitter/Diffuser: +€15k
Correct "Racing Green" Paint: +€20k
⚠️ Critical Watch-Outs
Non-Matching Engine: The 2ZZ-GE must be original
Missing "240R" Decals: €3k+ to restore correctly
Cracked Chassis Rails: Check around engine mounts
3. Where to Buy in the EU?
Official Channels
Lotus Heritage (UK): Occasionally brokers sales
Collector Car Dealers (e.g., DK Engineering)
Private Sales
Lotus Forums (The Lotus Forums, SELOC)
Race Car Classifieds (Some were track-only)
Pro Tip: Beware of "240R replicas"—base Exige S models with aftermarket parts.
4. Market Trends
📈 240Rs Outpacing Standard Exiges
+20% annually since 2021
2023 Record Sale: €175k (UK, 3,200 km)
⚠️ Trap Warning
"Restored" Cars with Non-OEM Parts: Kills value
Over-Raced Examples: Stress cracks in aluminum chassis
5. Must-Do Checks
🔧 Mechanical:
Supercharger Health: Listen for bearing whine
Gearbox Syncros: 3rd gear is weak point
Original ECU Tune: Aftermarket maps hurt value
📄 Paperwork:
Lotus Certificate of Provenance (€500, but essential)
Build Sheet with 240R Option Codes
Fun Fact: The 240R’s rear wing generates 42kg of downforce at 160 km/h, Lotus tested it in F1 wind tunnels!
Exige 240R Buying Cheat Sheet
✅ Holy Grail:Unmodified, Sub-5k km Example ❌ Walk Away:Cars without Original Engine 🔧 First Fix:Replace Fuel Pump (Prone to Failure) 🎨 Only Authentic Colors:Racing Green, Chrome Orange, Black
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