Lotus Exige
The Lotus Exige is a British two-door, two-seat sports car made by Lotus Cars since 2000. Originally a more-hardcore coupé version of the Lotus Elise roadster, since the Series 3 the Exige has been the larger-engined model of the family - using a V6 engine in place of the Elise's straight 4 with convertible versions of both available. Series 1. The original Exige was launched in 2000 with a naturally aspirated 1.8 L Rover K Series Inline-four engine in VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) tune. It is rated at at 7,800 rpm in  standard form. There was also a "track spec" version with available. The car has a five-speed manual gearbox, and a claimed top speed of . 0–97 km/h (60 mph) was achieved in 4.7 seconds and 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds. The first generation Exige bodywork was based on that of the Series 1 Elise, which was produced from 1996-2000, although the Elise was updated soon after the introduction of the Exige. The Exige added a non-removable hardtop, "fastback", kamm-tail style rear bodywork with a tinted transparent engine cover and a pylon-mounted rear  wing. Front air intakes (blanked on the road cars) and a front splitter were added. Both front and rear bodywork clamshells were widened to accept a wider wheel track. The Series 1 was built until 2001. 604 examples in total were made and the car was not replaced until the Series 2 of 2004. Series 2. Exige (2004–2006). In 2004, the Series 2 Exige was introduced. It features a naturally aspirated 1.8 L 16-valve DOHC Toyota/Yamaha engine that is rated at with the Toyota engine designation of 2ZZ-GE. Compared to the Series 2 Elise, it has a  front splitter, a fibreglass hardtop roof with roof scoop, a rear engine cover, and rear spoiler. The sole purpose of these aerodynamic additions to the base Elise is to create more downforce (almost of downforce at in the Exige versus at in the Elise). In February 2005, Lotus announced a limited production run of 50 Exiges, using the Toyota engine with a supercharger. This increased the power output to . These models were only available in yellow or black, representing the colours of Lotus Sport, and are badged 240R. They have a projected 0-97 km/h (60 mph) time of  3.9 seconds and 0-161 km/h (100 mph) of 9.9 seconds, with a top speed of . The North American Exige was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. Exige S. In February 2006, Lotus announced the Exige S model which used a supercharged Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine rated at . The S was also made available in North American markets as a 2007 model. According to Lotus, the Exige S model, weighing , has the following specifications: Exige Sport 240 (2008). In 2007, Lotus released the Exige Sport 240, limited to 6 units for the Australian market only . The output from the 1.8L Supercharged Inline-4 was increased to , a 10% increase over the Exige S, and thanks to upgraded fuel injectors and a new engine control unit. 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) times improved to 4.2 seconds, and the top speed increased to . At the time, the Sport 240 was the fastest Lotus ever sold in Australia. The Sport 240 in fitted with Lotus Sport adjustable traction control, developed by from the Lotus Sport UK GT3 motorsport program. The system features a driver-adjustable control knob with 18 different presets of traction control as well as  electronic launch control. The Sport 240's brakes were also upgraded, with AP Racing four-piston calipers with two-piece vented discs and braided hoses on the front, and Brembo single-piston calipers with rotors in the rear. Pagid Racing brake pads are fitted all around. The suspension utilises one-way adjustable dampers with adjustable ride height and an adjustable front sway bar. The Sport 240 comes equipped with R compound Yokohama A048 LTS tyres, 195/50x16 in the front, and 225/45x17 in the rear. It also includes a BS4 T45 steel roll-over hoop and struts. The interior also receives  it's fair share of upgrades, including elements of a Touring Plus package. It comes with a lightened, air conditioning system, sports seats finished in black leather with a harness bar. It features an orange Exige logo on the seats and floor mats, door trims, centre console and stitching. The car also received Lotus Sport forged 5-spoke OZ Racing alloy wheels, body mods including a roof scoop to supply more air to the intercooler, two bespoke colour choices (Blaze Orange and Sapphire Black), and limited edition badging. The Blaze Orange models received blacked out highlights including the front splitter , rear wing endplates, wheels and a rear beaver panel infill around the taillights. The Sapphire Black models received a Chrome Orange front splitter and rear wing endplates. The Sport 240 went on sale at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show at a price of $149,990. Exige S 240 (2008–2011). In 2008, the Exige S was replaced by the Exige S 240. Power output increased by 9% over the outgoing model to . The S 240 also received upgraded AP Racing brakes from the Exige Cup 240 and a larger roof scoop utilised by the Exige Cup 255. 0-97 km /h (0–60 mph) times improved to 4.0 seconds. The S 240 base manufacturer suggested retail price was $65,690. Exige S 260 (2009–2011). The Exige S 260 produced an additional 7% power output over the S 240 resulting in . Even with a full fuel tank, extensive use of weight-saving materials such as carbon fiber reduced the vehicle's gross weight to compared to in the S 240. It can accelerate from in 4.0 seconds. After 2009, both the S 240 and S 260 received distinctively new and enlarged rear spoilers mounted to the rear clam instead of the motor  bay cover. Exige 265E. The Exige 265E is a factory-built version of an Exige S optimised to run on E85 fuel, which is 85% ethanol. The higher octane of this biofuel allows for a higher compression ratio and/or more supercharger boost. In this model, which saw the ECU re-mapped as well as upgraded injectors and fuel pump to cope with the new fuel type, the brakes have also been upgraded to four-piston AP Racing calipers with increased diameter sport brake pads mated with drilled and vented discs at the front. Brembo single-piston sliding rear calipers with  diameter discs are fitted at the rear. Lotus says it has no intention to build the 265E (265 indicates the approximate horsepower and the E indicates the "environmentally favourable bio-ethanol E85 fuel" powering the engine) as a limited number standard production car, and that it is simply a biofuels demonstrator. According to Lotus, the Exige 265E model has the following specifications: Exige GT3 prototype (2007). According to Lotus, the Exige GT3 model has the following specifications: Exige GT3 of Angelo Lazaris (2008–2011). The Angelo Lazaris is a version of Exige GT3 for the 2008 GT Championship, based on the  European race car that competed in the FIA GT3 category. It featured the 1.8-litre engine based on the Exige S road car rated at at 7,000 rpm and at 6,000 rpm, increased frontal area to accommodate the wider track, revising the front radiator inlet and outlet areas, reducing the cross-sectional areas of both, extending the nose forward by approximately 3 cm (1 inch), bodywork extending 8 cm rearward, widening and losing almost 3 cm in height at the rear deck, body parts produced in lightweight ZPREG carbon fibre using an innovative mould-making process that features room temperature  curing rather than an oven, elimination of roof scoop that fed cooling air to the engine's intercooler, change to a water-to-air intercooler. The vehicle was unveiled in round three of the 2008 GT Championship. Union Jack Lotus Exige S (2008). The Union Jack is a version of Lotus Exige S with a flying British flag body, developed by Lotus Design. The car was featured in Discovery Channel's "How Do They Do It?" series. Exige Scura/Stealth (2009). The Stealth is a limited production run version of the Lotus Exige S with supercharged and intercooled Inline-4 engine  from Exige Cup 260 rated at at 8,000 rpm and of torque at 6,000 rpm, matte black body colour, Phantom Black triple stripes that run the length of the car, carbon-fibre front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side airscoops and rear spoiler, seats and centre console made from carbon fibre, anodised handbrake and gear knob in anthracite colour, carbon-fibre components in high-gloss clear lacquer finish, Lotus Launch Control, Lotus Traction Control, variable-slip traction control, Öhlins 2-way adjustable dampers, Eibach Springs with variable-height spring platforms, matt black lightweight forged wheels with Yokohama 048 LTS tyres , ride height adjustment to reduce the ride height from to , lightweight flywheel, sports-type clutch plate, heavy-duty clutch cover, C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) and Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit). Orders for the 'Lotus Exige Scura' began from 21 October 2009 in Europe, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia. The vehicle was sold in Japan as 'Lotus Exige Stealth'. The Exige Stealth was unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo International Motorshow. Lotus Exige S RGB Special Edition (2010). The RGB Special Edition is a version of the Lotus  Exige S commemorating Roger Becker, the former Director of Vehicle Engineering for Lotus. It includes Toyota's supercharged 1.8 litre 2ZZ VVTL-i engine rated at , Lotus ultra lightweight forged alloy wheels, Performance pack, Sport pack, Touring pack, choice of four body colours (Aspen White, Starlight Black, Solar Yellow & Carbon Grey), Roger Becker's signature on the rear of the car, a Roger Becker numbered plaque, monochrome Lotus badges, structural shear panel (which increases the lateral stiffness of the rear subframe by 30%) and air conditioning. The vehicle went on sale in September 2010, and ended at the end of  2010 in Europe due to changes in legislation and the introduction of "Euro 5" Type Approval which does not apply to vehicles with 1.8-litre 2ZZ VVTL-i engines. The RGB Special Edition was unveiled at the 2010 LA Auto Show. Exige Matte Black Final Edition (2011). The Final Edition is a limited version of the Lotus Exige for the North American market, commemorating the end of the Exige's production. It includes an engine rated at , matte black body colour, black Alacantara sport seats and a uniquely numbered plate for each car. Only 25 were made. The Final Edition  was unveiled in Pebble Beach Week 2011. Production. Production of North American version of Exige ended in August 2011 after the expiration of "smart" airbags exemption, and due to Toyota stopping production of its 2ZZ-GE four-cylinder engine. Exige S 260 Final Edition (2011). To mark the end of an era of Lotus Exige production, Lotus created the Exige S 260 Final Edition, exclusively for North America. With power upgraded to 257 hp, and a high level of standard equipment, the Exige S 260 Final Edition was available in multiple colour choices from the full Lotus colour range. Only  30 examples of this Exige were built, all for the North American market. Series 3. Exige S V6 (2012–2015), Exige S V6 Roadster (2013–2016). At the Frankfurt 2011 autoshow, the 2012 version of the Exige S was announced. It features a supercharged 3.5 litre V6 engine (from the Evora S) rated at . In 2013, a roadster version was introduced with only minor changes to the design for the removable top. The engine and performance were virtually unchanged from the coupe. To accommodate the V6 engine, the new model is approximately longer and wider (exterior bodywise) than the model with the  inline-four engine, being long, wide (not counting the mirrors) and tall. The drag coefficient is 0.433. Exige V6 Cup, Exige V6 Cup R (2013–2016). The Exige V6 Cup is a track oriented version of the Exige S while the Exige Cup R is the track-only version of Exige V6 Cup. The Exige V6 Cup is offered for sale in the United States as a track only car. If purchased, US Lotus Dealers will only provide a bill of sale instead of a title. The vehicles were unveiled at the 2013 Autosport International motor show. Specifications. Exige V6 Cup  According to Lotus, the Exige Cup has the following specifications: Exige V6 Cup R The Lotus Exige V6 Cup R has the following specifications according to Lotus: Lotus Exige 360 Cup (2015–present). Limited to 50 examples, Lotus Exige 360 Cup was revealed on 14 August 2015. The car is powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 delivering . On the outside, these Exiges wear new lightweight pieces for the front access panel and louvered rear tailgate. The rest of the body uses the V6 Cup's aero package that produces 93 pounds of downforce at 100 miles per hour . Improved brake discs are hidden behind Motorsport Red wheels, and each car comes with a numbered build plate. They're eligible to race in the Lotus Cup series, and for those really wanting to hit the track, the options include adjustable anti-roll bars, Öhlins dampers, a fire extinguisher, electrical cut-off, FIA carbon seats, air conditioning, and a removable steering wheel. Specifications. The Exige 360 Cup has the following specifications as stated by Lotus: Lotus Exige Sport 350 (2015-present), Sport 350 Roadster (2016-present). Revealed on 9 December 2015, the Lotus Exige Sport 350 is the replacement for  the Exige S and the ultimate incarnation Lotus’ mid-engined V6 coupe. It's lighter and faster than the Exige S and is the next step on Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales' ladder to recovery for the British sports car maker. The Toyota 3.5-litre supercharged V6 underneath is unchanged, though. It still produces at 7,000rpm and at 4,500rpm. However, Lotus has been through the Exige S, stripping weight wherever possible, tweaking the chassis and generally fettling the entire package. The initial plan had been to fit the Evora’s 400bhp engine to the Exige, but in doing so it  would have meant the engineers couldn’t get the car below the 1,200kg target weight set by Gales. And its weight loss that has been the key focus, with 51kg taken out of the car reducing the kerb weight to 1,125kg. The manual gearbox has been heavily revised, giving more precise and quicker shifting. The gearshift mechanism uses light weight machined and cast aluminium components which are so technically aesthetically appealing they are no longer hidden within the transmission tunnel but exposed through an open-gate design, further reducing weight. The Roadster variant is revealed in 2016  Geneva Motor Show. Like the coupé, the car features a carbon-fibre tailgate and side intakes, and there’s also a lightweight battery and engine mounts. Lotus Exige Sport 380 (2016–present). The Lotus Exige Sport 380 is a track focused and more powerful version of the Lotus Exige lineup. It was unveiled on 23 November 2016. Lotus' CEO, Jean-Marc Gales describes it as, "The Exige Sport 380 is so good, that it is no longer the best in class, it’s now in a class of its own", and it fulfills this statement by taking on some of  the powerful and expensive super cars both on the track and the streets. The 3.5-litre, super-charged V6 engine is now uprated and produces and of torque with a 6500 rpm red line achieved by revised supercharger and ECU. It can accelerate from 0 to in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of . The interior is also stripped out and features necessary driver aids. The Exige Sport 380 weighs , thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber on the exterior as well as the interior, the application of polycarbonate windows instead of traditional glass windows and a newly  designed rear transom panel which features two rear lights instead of four. Lotus Exige Cup 380 (2016–present). The Lotus Exige Cup 380 is a more hardcore variant of the Exige Sport 380. Performance of the car remains the same as the Sport 380 but it features more aero components and a larger rear wing to produce more downforce at high speeds. The Exige Cup 380 generates of downforce at its maximum speed of ; the top speed is reduced due to excess downforce and more drag. It features a more stripped out interior in order to save weight and other  light weight carbon fiber components, Lotus states a lowest possible dry weight of only . Lotus Exige Cup 430 (2017–present). On 9 November 2017, Lotus unveiled the most powerful version of the Exige to date called the Exige Cup 430, producing and using the Evora GT430's powertrain, modified to fit in the smaller Exige. The car body can produce of downforce. The Cup 430 is lighter than the Sport 380 due to the use of carbon fibre in body panels and interior and a titanium exhaust. The gearbox allows quicker gearshifts than the previous model. The Cup 430 is  not offered with an automatic gearbox. The Lotus Exige Cup 430 is capable of covering the Hethel circuit in 1 minute 24.8 seconds – the fastest production car to lap the circuit – 1.2 seconds faster than the road going Lotus 3-Eleven. Specifications. The Exige Cup 430 has the following specifications according to Lotus: Lotus Exige Sport 410 (2018-present). On 4 May 2018, Lotus unveiled Exige Sport 410 to augment the current Exige lineup. It will bridge the gap between the track-focused Exige Cup 430 and road-biased Exige Sport 350. It shares much of is running gear with  former, however the settings have been dialed back to establish a suitable character for both road and track driving. Mid-mounted is the 430 Cup’s, supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine. However, it’s been detuned to develop and of torque. Away from the oily bits, the Exige Sport 410 is fitted with a new front end, which will be applied across the Exige range. It features enlarged air intakes and new air curtains, which improve cooling efficiency and reduce drag respectively. Further aero-based addenda, including the front splitter, rear-wing and aluminum diffuser combine to generate 150kg  of downforce. True to Lotus form, little carbon-fibre has been spared to build the Exige Sport 410, so it weighs-in as the lightest V6 Exige to date at 1,054kg (dry). Keeping the mass in check is the same suspension setup from the 430 Cup, comprising three-way adjustable nitron dampers and Eibach anti-rolls bars, at both ends. Lotus Exige Sport 390, Sport 420, Cup 430 Final Edition (2021-present). On 9 February 2021, Lotus unveiled three final editions line-up models of Exige on online platforms. Opening the line-up is the Exige Sport 390 Final  Edition. Powering the model is a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine shared with the wider Exige range, tuned to develop and . The British brand claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds, towards to a top speed of 276km/h. The 'entry-level' Exige tips the scales in at 1138kg – making it the heaviest (just) of the three model variants. This advanced aerodynamic package – comprising a splitter, diffuser, and spoiler– produces 70kg of downforce at the rear and 45kg up front, for a total of 115kg at top speed. Two 17-inch front  and two 18-inch rear 10-spoke forged alloy wheels hide in the wheel wells, wrapped in 205/45 front and 265/35 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Sitting above the Sport 390 is the Exige Sport 420 Final Edition. It's the fastest vehicle in the line-up in a straight line, extracting , and from its 3.5-litre supercharged V6 to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 3.4 seconds, and rocketing to a top speed of 290km/h. Weighing 1110kg, stopping power comes from AP Racing brakes, with forged four-piston calipers and two-piece J -Hook brake discs at all four corners. Adjustable Eibach anti-roll bars and three-way adjustable Nitron dampers are standard, as are 17-inch front and 18-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels wrapped in 215/45 front and 285/30 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber. Sitting atop the range is the Exige Cup 430 Final Edition, which derives and from its supercharged V6 powerplant, for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.3 seconds. This variant picks up carbon-fibre panels on the front splitter, front access panel, roof, diffuser surround, air-intake side pods, one-piece tailgate, and  rear wing – good for 171kg of downforce at its top speed of 280km/h. The lower-grade Exige Sport 420's suspension, tyre and brake packages carry over to the top-spec car, though the Cup 430 gains diamond-cut 17-inch front and 18-inch rear alloy wheels, a high-flow titanium sports exhaust, and a multi-mode traction control system. Racing. Several Exiges are currently in use in the SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge. An Exige GT3 and some CUP Exige race in the Supercar Challenge. An Exige has participated in the GT300 class of the 2005  Super GT Series season. Simply Sports Cars in Australia ran an Exige Cup R in endurance racing during 2014 and 2015 at the world renowned Bathurst 12 Hour, with class wins on both occasions.