DROVE IT LIKE I STOLE IT! Lotus Exige 380 / Nürburgring

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Disclaimer: the actions performed in this video are executed by professionals or individuals that consider themselves professional on a closed circuit within the local regulations.

00:00 Intro/Specs
02:24 Drive to the Track
04:11 Lap
12:23 Praise!

[StartYourEngine]

Really interesting lap that shows 3 things important about the Exige V6 platform:

1) 5:36 rear end kicks because in "Race" mode, the ECU is learning the amount of grip available. And there is always a very first kick that you have to catch. You can then smash the throttle without any drama for the rest of the session. It resets every time you shut down the car. Race mode also helps to reduce the understeer to some extent.
Glad you kept race mode. Fully off, the E-diff would have been off too and you would have been infuriated that the car can't put the power down, with the inner wheel living its best spinning life...

2) 11:12 Typical Exige V6 understeer when the ABS kicks. In this case, coming from the crest, when the car land, ABS instantly kicks because the weight transfer needed to help the car turn in never happened.
This flaw is very common on all Exige V6 (only about 35% of the mass on the front axis coupled with really thin tires with high side wall, 215/45R17 Front VS 265/35R18 Rear) with factory alignment (about 0.5° Front).
This can be greatly improved with a minimum of 2.0° of camber and better tires. Or at least, fresh CUP 2. Would have been interesting to see how old they were on this car. They seems to have dry out.

3) We can see in this video, how fast and epic the car feels to drive, even if this lap isn't really fast VS the other cars driven by Misha. This is what this car is all about: fun.

Hope Misha that one day you will try a sorted out 410 Sport or 430 Cup 😀

[EndstyleGG]

You know its a good lap when the passenger looks like a fish on land gasping for air

[Maisaranator]

He’s having a heart attack 😂😂 meanwhile Misha’s being so serious 🧐

[the_mcmartin]

Entrance to Hocheichen was sketchy but the control you had was amazing. The Exige sounds lovely too.

[remissiveslave]

Mishas footwork is Divine. Let alone the rest of the driving. It's really quite a spectacle.

[evansc]

I knew that Misha is an accomplished driver, but to jump in a stock V6 Exige and drive like that is really something. I bet many Exige owners that track their cars understand what I mean. Respect to you Sir.

[fatesandmyths]

Showing the young guy what his car is capable of is great. He has a long way to go until he reaches that competance. Great video

[ronjatter]

What a little weapon! The cornering speeds looked high. Looks like you really enjoyed that one Misha, seemed like you were almost out of breath a little bit. It must have been a lot of fun!

[urbexman]

It's impressive how fast Misha can adapt his driving style in fonction of the car he is driving even if he doesn't know it 😳

[pedais]

I don't know, but I think this has been the most fun I've had watching you lap the nordschleife. Lotus cars are really special. And the sound this one makes... And I will never get tired of praising you on how educational your videos are! Your left-foot breaking is spotless...

[phattjohnson]

6:30 the adrenaline rush! 🤣 Old mate's loving it! Then he just leans right back into the chair to feel the G's... great stuff!

[davidsmall]

What a lap! I can only imagine how fun it would be with upgraded brakes and suspension. Nice drive.🎉

[flyingman]

I love Misha's focused face vs passenger's full-body-clenched situation hahaha

[ChristopherGaul]

What an awesome lap. The kind where you figure out lap times aren't what matters, the driving experience is. Watching a good driver driving a great car on a great track, they way they were both meant to be driven was awesome.
For the passenger to just sit and experience it all without thinking about driving it, but just taking in the feel of the car surging ahead like a cheetah on the hunt, the suspension settling in and hugging him to the seat through the corners. The sights of the world rushing by in a blur, the sound of the engine singing and the tires whispering feedback to the driver, the rising and falling soprano song of the supercharger. I'll bet he never forgets it.
Nicely done.

[babstardeluxe]

Gosh, if i didn't have my family i'd sell my 21' Jazz Hybrid right after seing this :D But wife and kids first, so thanks for all these videos that makes me live my dreams behind my screen.

[DennisfromMunich]

The sound of the engine right behind the driver and passenger is so brutal, so good! Love the lap!

[exajoules]

lightweight cars are always fun to drive, looked really fast

[rosenscharf]

The sound is too good to be true, one can see how engaging the driving experience is when watching Misha and the owner's reactions are gold!
Great video!

[SgtTom]

The owner was fighting for his life haha. We can clearly see that you Misha had so much fun in it, in the corners :D Ow and the sound is superb!

[jasonlohbauer]

I never get tired of watching your footwork bro. It’s inspired me to learn how to left foot brake to the best of my ability. I’ve always been able to on a sim, but I was too harsh on the pedal in real life. Videos such as this one are the reason I kept at it until I learned. Appreciate you!