| First Drive | Hethel, Norfolk | Lotus Exige S with Performance Pack |

There's usually a good deal of satisfaction in being first at something. But if I'd been one of the 50 Lotus customers who'd forked out around £44,000 for the 240R back in 2005 I'd be a bit miffed. Why? As is often the way with low volume manufacturers the 'special edition' preceded a production model. Initially that was the Exige S, which featured a supercharger, but didn't have quite the scary pace of the limited-run car. But Lotus has now added a Performance Pack to the Exige S, it offering the same 240bhp as the 240R, and a bigger roof scoop to make sure people know you're in a something a bit different from an 'ordinary' Exige S.

Two years is a long time too, particularly in a company like Lotus. So the Exige S Performance Pack car might pack the same headline bhp figure, but it feels slightly different to drive. Certainly it's a bit more civilised, the Performance Pack Exige S's 170lb.ft of torque available at 5,500rpm, the 240R's similar torque output not delivered until 7,000rpm. It is a bit more tractable as result, more useable as a day-to-day driver, so long as you don't mind your daily-driver being a hardcore nutter that is. Getting in is the same palaver as with any current Lotus. Pray you've not had a big meal, or a lifetime of too many cakes and pies as you need to scissor yourself into the seat over the large sill.

You're rewarded more for your efforts getting in now as Lotus has been busy tidying up the interior for its 2008 model year cars. It's unlikely the interior stylists at VW will be impressed by the 'Senosoft' dashboard, but it's a vast improvement over the old one. What are hugely impressive are the new instruments. They're a demonstration in understatement, being simple white lettering on a deep matt black background. Lotus makes a big deal over the fact that warning lights, indicator flashers etc are 'invisible' on the instruments until lit, and although it sounds incidental, the clean finish achieved is fantastic.

It's unlikely though that you'll have time to really pay any attention to the instruments. You sure as hell don't need a rev-counter or the shift lights to know when a new gear is required, and if you're in second or above and the supercharger is blowing then you're into licence-losing territory. It's no surprise that the Exige S Power Pack is quick, what is however is just how quick it is. The benchmark 62mph arrives in just 4.2 seconds, 100mph in less than 10; this sensational sprinting ability facilitated, if you want it to be, by the Exige S Performance Pack's new launch control system. Use it and the rush to 62mph is brutal, it hardly surprising that Lotus has added an uprated Lotus Sport clutch plate and cover, along with a clutch damper to stop the transmission from destroying itself.

Like all launch control systems the actual process of using it is rather convoluted - perhaps to dissuade owners from activating it every time someone pulls alongside them at the traffic lights? Turn the engine off via the new key, return it to ignition on but engine off and press the traction control button down for a few seconds. Do so and the instruments' needles swing around, the rev-counter's needle then dialled via the variable traction control knob on the steering column to the number of revs you want to launch with. Then you press the - new and utterly pointless - starter button, pin the throttle while holding the clutch down as the revs rise and hold at your predetermined level. All that's then required is the bravery to side-step the clutch, a yelled expletive and second gear. Quickly.

Usually such ridiculous performance is overlaid with exotic-sounding multi-cylinder music. But the Lotus is a bit more rudimentary, the buzzy 1.8-litre four-cylinder and supercharger producing a raspy, angry metallic thrash. It's not unpleasant, but hardly spine-tingling either; the noise, and pace upping markedly when the third and final rev-light is glowing. Up there it might lack a cultured aural accompaniment, but every other sense is overloaded. The brakes, with four-piston AP Racing callipers and new pads are fantastically measured, the steering's weighting and feel being absolutely unrivalled on the road. Sure, it might not be able to sing, but you'll not care one bit when you first turn into a corner and the nose goes absolutely where you want it and the rear follows faithfully.

It seems if you're not employed by Lotus up in Norfolk then you're a farmer, the roads strewn with the muck from their countless tractors. Yet even on Yokohama rubber that's more race-track than road, and on tarmac robbed of its grip by both the tractor's muck and autumnal detritus the Exige hangs on doggedly. When it does let go it's remarkably friendly, its ability to communicate meaning you've plenty of warning for corrective input. Up the speed, add an expansive track and the same is true, the Lotus being utterly faithful to input and hugely enjoyable and exploitable. The ride, while obviously firm, is remarkable, the Exige S able to smooth shocking surfaces yet still provide exceptional control.

That's true of any Lotus though; the Exige S with the Performance Pack merely condenses the thrill by adding more savage pace. A trade-off for this is the lack of rear visibility due to the intercooler, but really, it's a small price to pay for the quite ridiculous performance. The sticker price is also arguably small given the Exige S Performance Pack's ability; the £3,000 it commands over the standard car meaning you can have an Exige S with 240bhp for just £38,500.

But then you'll want the superlight wheels at £1,000, and the air conditioning for another £1,000. The Touring Pack (which for £2,000 among others adds iPod connection, carpets and a cup holder that wouldn't look out of place in a dodgy S&M shop with a leash hanging off it) is a must too. Then there's the Sport Pack for £1,500 which adds Lotus's excellent ProBax seats. Add all that up and you're looking at a £44,000 Exige, which is co-incidentally around what the Hethel firm charged for its 240R in 2005. That's not cheap, but good as the 240R was the Exige S with the Performance Pack comes with two years more development to make it one of the most exciting, involving and downright ridiculous cars Lotus has ever produced. Which is exactly why you'll love it.