There’s no Euro NCAP crash-test rating and the stripped-out Exige isn’t offered with a lot of safety kit. Originally dual airbags could be fitted, but only as an expensive option and curtain bags are not available. Later cars come with twin airbags as standard and unlike previous Lotus’, it does come with ABS. Security is taken care of with a remote central locking, an alarm an immobiliser.

We’d advise fitting a tracking system, too.

The Exige is ideal as a second (or even third ‘weekend’) car as it’s simply too hardcore to use every day. There’s a small luggage area in the back, but it’s rather shallow and only good for a small hold-all. Aside from that, it’s stripped of anything that makes it even remotely usable on a day-today basis. And with two on board, space really is at a premium.