Lotus today announced its 2007 Exige S coupe will be offered in the U.S. market, despite previous claims to the contrary. The British automaker calls the car the "quickest Lotus production car" ever made. It weighs just 935 kg (2057 lbs) and is powered by a 218 horsepower high-revving supercharged engine, giving a zero to 100 km/h time of just 4.3 seconds (0 – 60 mph in 4.1 seconds). Fuel economy is expected somewhere between 25 and 30 mpg. The 148 mph car will be available for $56,990.

Lotus Cars USA, the subsidiary of Lotus Cars in North America, unveiled the MY2007 Lotus Sport Exige Cup at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The 252 bhp, supercharged and intercooled sportscar is a completely out-of-the-box track car with a specification designed to prepare the budding driver for the grid at some of the finest and most challenging circuits in North America.

Weight has been kept to an ultra low 1800 pounds and the phenomenal power to weight ratio has been further enhanced by increasing the power output from 243 bhp to 252 bhp. Weight saving (or adding lightness!) has been achieved through the effective use of lightweight materials and through the eradication of all non-essential components such roof trim, carpets, front mudflaps, central locking and bulkhead trim. Of course just having fantastic power to weight doesn’t make a car a high performer on the track, so the Lotus Sport Exige Cup has a list of standard equipment that includes track only slick tires, uprated 4-piston front brakes, adjustable dampers and adjustable anti-sway bar, the latest SCCA-compliant roll cage, FIA approved Lotus Sport branded driver’s seat with six-point driver harness (there is no passenger seat) and a lightweight rear screen (instead of glass). The options are even more race focused with a FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell, air-jack system and level two stainless steel exhaust with de-cat pipe, a plate type limited slip differential and Star Shield.

The Lotus Sport Exige Cup is one of the quickest cars around a circuit. Key to this incredible performance is the aerodynamic package, which produces over 90 pounds of downforce at 100 mph increasing grip and ultimately safety at higher speeds.

With a top speed of close to 160 mph and a zero to 100 mph slingshot in just less than 9.8 seconds (the 60 mph sprint takes just under 3.9 seconds), the MY2007 Lotus Sport Exige Cup is the perfect partner to a serious track day enthusiast.

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled engine in the Lotus Sport Exige Cup has a maximum power output of 252 hp at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of approximately 179 lb-ft, at 7000 rpm. This vast amount of extra power and torque now available means that the cam change between the low-speed cam and the high-speed cam is variable to ensure that there is a smooth and linear surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm. The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Charge air (air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through an air-to-air intercooler (the cooling air enters via the roof scoop) before being fed into the engine itself. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes making sure that the bends in these ducts are not too tight, to the benefit of throttle response and efficiency. Four high capacity injectors add additional fuel under hard acceleration or high speed driving.

Brakes

The brake system includes large diameter 308 mm 2-piece aluminum belled cross drilled and ventilated front discs and 282 mm cross-drilled and ventilated discs at the rear, upgraded Pagid RS14 sports brake pads set into the brake calipers (AP Racing two piece radially mounted, 4 piston at the front and Brembo sliding at the rear), high grade silicone brake fluid, stainless steel braided brake hoses all linked to the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS system that enhances braking performance and minimizing stopping distance without taking over from the skill of the driver.

Suspension

Suspension is provided by Ohlins springs and two-way adjustable dampers (which have 22 compression and 60 rebound settings and ride height adjustable perches to reduce the ride height from 130 mm to 120 mm) and an adjustable front anti-sway bar (five settings). Full instructions and recommended settings are provided to allow customers to tailor the handling characteristics of the car to their own requirements.

As the Lotus Sport Exige Cup cars are modified for track use, a double shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during racing and hard track day driving.

Lotus Sport, the race car performance arm of Lotus Cars Ltd, unveiled the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle. With its debut at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show, the 271-bhp Exige GT3 is a bold, no-holds-barred, lap record-breaking, breathtaking performance machine that embraces all that is expected of a race-bred Lotus.

Building on the Lotus racing pedigree, this concept car can deliver more grin-factor than ever before; there are no intended compromises and no limits except those that are self imposed by the driver.

This is one concept that commands your full attention.

Said Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc: “The Exige GT3 concept road car is a fantastic showcase product from our race car performance division, Lotus Sport. The car’s racing background becomes immediately obvious from its aggressive stance, extreme width of rear track and innovative threedimensional rear wing. The foundation of all Lotus products is phenomenal handling and ride characteristics, but the Exige GT3 takes these into another dimension altogether where supreme road holding and outrageous acceleration come evenly matched with sensational stopping ability.”

The Exige GT3’s pure bred racing brother will be again competing in the GT race arena in 2007, taking over the mantle from the hugely successful 2006 British GT3 Championship winning car. On road or track the Lotus Exige GT3 winning pedigree will continue in time honored Lotus racing tradition.

A new one-piece front clam-shell with fully masked front wheels and wheel arch venting leads the aerodynamically cleaned silhouette of this car. A menacing stance is enhanced by the aggressively flared rear wheel arches and aero-efficient three-dimensional rear wing and blended end-plates. The visual message is clear; this vehicle means business and the squat wide hindquarters symbolize the latent power harnessed within.

That power is provided by the same charge-cooled supercharged engine that the GT3 race car employs, producing 271 bhp and driven through ten inch rear wheels with 255 width tires making the final connection to the road. Top speed of 160 mph and peak torque have been electronically limited but acceleration is left untouched and unimpaired. The up-rated front brakes and brake pads all round ensure that on road or track this car’s stopping ability is more than capable of harnessing its acceleration performance.

The end-plate mounted three-dimensional rear wing is highly efficient and fully complements the widened and flattened rear deck shape in reducing the overall drag as well as maintaining front to rear downforce balance. The performance of this car will amaze and reward all drivers with incredible road holding (developed with the help of its 2-way Ohlins adjustable dampers together with Lotus Sport adjustable front stabilizer bar and rear suspension double-shear track control arms) and stunning acceleration.

Simply put, the Lotus Exige GT3 will redefine your concept of a road car by re-affirming that unique proposition that is, above all else, a Lotus.

It is intended that the Lotus Exige GT3 concept road vehicle will be further developed into a full production car for limited markets, to go on sale in late 2007 with an estimated price tag of between £50,000 and £60,000.

Lotus announced it will debut the fastest Exige in Lotus history at this October's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Dubbed the Lotus Exige Sport 240, the car will feature a 240 horsepower supercharged engine, a limited-slip rear differential, electronic launch control and adjustable traction control. The Exige Sport 240 will be offered exclusively in the Australian market.

The Sport 240 will out-accelerate the Exige S, taking just 4.2 seconds to go from 0-62, and will hit a top speed of about 155 mph. The Sport 240 will also feature a new performance-oriented air conditioning system. The new system will only weigh 33 pounds and features a sensor that turns off the compressor at full-throttle to preserve maximum performance. The Sport 240 will hit showrooms shortly after its October debut, although pricing has yet to be announced.

- 308 mm front cross-drilled and vented discs with AP Racing four piston callipers
- Uprated front and rear brake pads
- Full length upsized roof scoop
- Variable slip traction control
- Uprated clutch plate and cover
- Uprated vehicle performance through enhanced power and torque delivery
- Launch control

Although hardly struggling in the performance department in standard 220 PS guise, the Exige S is now being offered with an optional Performance Pack.

This raises power to the same 240 PS / 179 kW (minimum) at 8000 rpm enjoyed by the limited edition 240R, courtesy of a Magnuson/Eaton M62 supercharger and new, faster flowing injectors, and higher torque clutch system and an upsized roof scoop.

This hike in power, together with an increase in torque to 170 lbft / 230 Nm / 23.5 kgm at 5,500 rpm from the standard 158.6 lbft / 215 Nm (22 kgm) at 5500 rpm, helps whisk the Performance Pack Exige S from zero to 60mph in 4.0 secs / 0-100km/h in 4.2 secs (estimated) and from standstill to 100mph in 9.7 secs (estimated). Top speed rises to 153 mph (estimated). The power and torque of the 240 PS engine is increased across the rev range giving even more flexibility. Inspite of this phenomenal performance the fuel economy is impressive with an estimated combined figure of 9.1 litres / 100 km (31.0 mpg)

Of course the increased power and straight-line performance are only a couple of elements of the Performance Pack option. The clutch is uprated and a clutch damper fitted; there are thicker, 308mm diameter cross-drilled and vented discs at the front clamped by AP Racing fourpiston callipers; the standard brakes pads are replaced by uprated items and there are braided brake hoses.

Keen to pass on lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing programme, Lotus Sport has contributed another important technology to the Performance Pack launch control combined with variable traction control. This combo has already made its production debut with the track-oriented Lotus 2-Eleven.

From the drivers seat the launch control allows you to determine the number of revs you wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that limit, you then hold your foot down hard on the throttle and sidestep the clutch at departure from the line time. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch / transmission engagement to minimise the stresses to the drivetrain
(noting that abusive/ continuous standing start applications will destroy the drivetrain components). The launch control also keeps wheelspin at bay until 6 mph, after which the traction control assumes its duties.

As with launch control, you can control the amount of traction control you require from the drivers seats, altering it on the move to suit the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from an optimum 7 percent tyre slip to completely off. The message display in the new instrument pack displays what degree of traction control you have currently dialled in.

Lotus Cars has taken one of the most recognisable and iconic Lotus colour schemes from the early 1970s and reintroduced it for the first time with the limited edition Exige Sprint.

Just 40 right hand drive Lotus Exige Sprints will go on sale in the UK and Ireland in a duo-tone paint scheme of Aspen White on the lower portion of the body and a choice of Solar Yellow or Persian Blue on the upper portion of the body. The two colours are separated by a gold stripe bearing the name Exige Sprint on the doors on either side of the car.

To celebrate the start of Lotus production at Hethel in 1967, just 40 cars will be built for the UK market and each one will have an individually numbered chassis year build plate covering 1967 to 2007, except for 1982, the year of Colin Chapman's untimely and tragic death. Each car will also come together with a heritage pack containing a certificate signed by Lotus' Chief Executive Mike Kimberley and The Lotus Book written by William Taylor featuring in depth reviews of the models produced at Hethel.

The Exige Sprint honours the colour scheme of the legendary Elan Sprint, which entered production in early 1971, 37 years ago. The design was adapted from the red and gold and white colour scheme of the Team Lotus Formula One sponsors at the time: Gold Leaf Tobacco. Other colours were also introduced including the blue, gold and white and yellow, gold and white, both of which are honoured on the Lotus Exige Sprint.

The Lotus Exige Sprint includes as standard, ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels, air conditioning, Sport Pack, Touring Pack and the newly available Performance Pack giving phenomenal acceleration of zero to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds (estimated), reaching 100 mph in just another 6 seconds (estimated) before topping out at 146 mph. The Sprint also features a unique interior trim with distinctive embroidery and exterior decals.

Even without the unique paint and trim features that the Exige Sprint benefits from, equipping a standard Exige to the same specification would cost a customer £44,050 (MSRP), so the £42,550 (MSRP) for the Exige Sprint provides superb value for performance.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive for Group Lotus plc said, ''Back in 1970, I was working on the Elan Sprint with a team of talented engineers led by Tony Rudd. It was a car that at the time was virtually unbeatable on a quick country road dash. The Elan Sprint with its sophisticated

and elegant colour scheme was my particular favourite of the Elan range and it is fantastic to see the colour schemes being reintroduced for this limited edition of just 40 UK cars. Of course, being more than just a colour scheme, we are offering the driver an unparalleled Exige driving experience in a car that will, in a few years time, cement itself into the Lotus legend''.

Lotus just keeps churning out more variants of the Elise and Exige, but the major difference between those other limited-edition models and the Exige Sport Cup 260, is this is the automaker's ultimate track-day version to date.

Powered by the 257 hp, Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter mill and a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger, the 2,046-pound coupe rockets to sixty in four seconds, passes 100 mph in 9.9 seconds an on to a top speed of 147 mph. A heavy-duty clutch sends power to the standard six-speed manual and on down to an LSD, with a plate-type limited slip available as an option. A new instrument pack with a revised graphic design keeps tabs on the blown four, while new aerodynamic bits (producing 40 kgs of downforce at 100 mph) and variable traction and launch control keep things planted at speed.

Standard equipment includes cast 16-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama A048R tires, four-piston AP Racing calipers up front clamping 282 mm cross-drilled rotors, an adjustable anti-roll bar and dampers, along with FIA-approved Recaro seats, six-point roll-cage and a 70-liter fuel cell.

The price of the Exige Sport Cup 260 is set at £56,034 and it's available now in Europe.

The Lotus Exige must be one of the most curvy car designs pounding our roads at present. So when Discovery Channel’s popular series ‘How Do They Do It?’ needed a donor car to show how a professional team wraps vehicles in all manner of advertisements and murals, they chose a difficult specimen in the Exige.

A team of four expert technicians took 10 hours to completely wrap the Exige in its new red, white and blue livery and the Lotus is said to be a real crowd pleaser on the track.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus commented, “At Lotus we pride ourselves in spearheading the development of technology in the vehicle market and working on this project was a truly unique opportunity. Lotus Design captured a very special element of our heritage with the brief, ‘great British racing’. The Union Jack theme and the flying flag concept perfectly embody the Lotus spirit”.

Lotus intends to show the unique Exige at a number of UK dealers over the next few months as part of its ‘Lotus Roadshow’. Read the press release below for more details.

Fighting an Uphill Battle
By Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
Date posted: 07-07-2008



The last time we saw an American entrepreneur stuffing a powerful American-built engine into an unsuspecting British sports car, it was the 1960s and it was Carroll Shelby. The meek AC Ace roadster was, shall we say, invigorated by his fitment of the Ford V8 into its lightweight body shell.

Fast-forward nearly a half-century. Secant Vehicles, a small start-up headquartered in San Francisco, has developed a GM Ecotec engine conversion for every Lotus Elise (or Exige) built since the waspish midengine sports car's 2005 introduction.

The players are different, but the three-step formula for the Lotus Exige by Secant is the same as Shelby's:

Step 1 — Find a small car.
Step 2 — Add power.
Step 3 — Kick ass.

So has history been repeated? We drove Secant's development car, a 2006 Lotus Exige equipped with the optional Track Pack suspension, to find out.

Powered by the General
The powertrain of choice for the Lotus Exige by Secant isn't a pushrod V8 like Shelby's, but instead an intercooled and supercharged, 2.0-liter Ecotec inline-4 that you find in the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged.

This GM-designed mill has been worked over by the capable folks at Katech Engineering with a forged crank and rods, sodium-cooled valves and a smaller supercharger pulley for increased boost. Output in the Type 1 conversion is a claimed 280 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 241 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. Secant's future Ecotec engine packages promise even higher performance.

On paper, this power increase gives the Exige the bite of a true predator. That the powertrain conversion adds just 4 pounds to the rear of the car is important in a car as sensitive to weight distribution as the midengine Lotus. The conversion's complexity rules out a do-it-yourself kit, so Secant builds all cars to order at its facility in Detroit.

This car has been equipped with Secant's Type 1 engine swap ($19,900), larger front Brembo brakes ($2,695), bigger wheels and tires ($2,840), a $2,300 bundle-of-snakes tubular header, a $590 baffled oil pan, plus assorted non-essentials until the total comes to $29,295.

Of course this figure is in addition to the cost of the Lotus that you start with. Once you add up everything, we figure that a brand-new 2008 Lotus Exige by Secant would represent $91,220.

Fuel-Hardy
Upon delivery of Secant's development car to our door, we were told that the car's tank had been filled with 100-octane fuel. This immediately sent up red flags with us, and we wondered whether this car might be a specially tuned ringer or whether it might self-destruct on pump fuel.

Secant explained to us that it has done a kind of makeover of the electronics here, and it has defeated the stock Lotus traction control entirely and commandeered the stability control button to perform map switching for different fuel-octane ratings.

When you start the Secant-tune Ecotec, the engine control unit defaults to a pump gas-friendly calibration. Pressing and holding the button while parked activates a more aggressive programming map intended specifically for unleaded racing fuel of 100 octane or better.

It's a pretty clever hack, although some people might miss the stability control, as the Lotus-calibrated system is one of the few that actually works as a high-performance driving aid.

Rolling in My Two-Point-Oh
All of the Secant's major mechanical interfaces for the new engine — the throttle, brake and transmission — are well-integrated. Clutch take-up is smooth and progressive, and there are no hiccups or flat spots in the power delivery even when you're grinding through traffic. The re-engineered shift linkage moves more positively than the stock Lotus gearchange. Even the air-conditioning works.

Then we hit our testing site. During the second acceleration run, the dipstick of the Secant engine blew out of the block, dousing the engine bay with oil. A quick call to Secant confirmed that this is a known issue with supercharged Ecotecs. We wiped up the mess the best we could, zip-tied the dipstick securely into place and crossed our fingers.

The car then clicked off repeatable runs to 60 mph in the low 4-second range. The best run was 4.0 seconds (3.8 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) on the "race gas" calibration. The quarter-mile flashed by in 12.5 seconds at 107.7 mph, making the Secant Exige substantially quicker than a normally aspirated Elise. The Secant is only a little less so when compared to the last 220-hp Exige S we tested, which did the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds at 105.5 mph (partly because it weighed 117 fewer pounds than the Secant's 2,169-pound test weight).

Rolling Stock Needs a Rethink
Secant reckons that the wheel and tire package on our test car is the largest that can be stuffed under the Exige's fenders. They sure look the business. Satin-black Team Dynamics wheels and wide, sticky Toyo R888 R-compound tires are like steamroller drums under the petite body of the Lotus.

In braking, the Secant came to a halt from 60 mph in 103 feet. Some of this eye-popping stopping power is owed to the track-ready tires, yet the Secant's brake package is outstanding in any case. Initial bite and the subsequent modulation is predictable, the pedal action remains firm and fade is a non-issue, making these binders among the most confidence-inspiring we've encountered.

There is such a thing as too much rubber, though. The Secant's 225/45R17 front tires rubbed noisily on parts unseen as we cranked the steering wheel near the stops at full lock, and the monstrous 255/35R18 rear meats deposited molten tire sludge due to contact with the lips of the fenders.

Furthermore, the large (almost comically so) rolling diameter of the front tires — combined with the required wheel backspacing to fit them — distorts the sublimely effective suspension geometry of the Lotus. As a result, pavement irregularities make the Secant nervous, and the steering effort grows exponentially heavier as you wind on lock. You have to muscle the Secant around tight bends with your shoulders, clenching the wheel to prevent its escape from your grasp as it kicks like a pissed-off Percheron with each bump the front tires encounter.

Stay on top of your steering inputs and the Secant rewards you with a handling balance in the corners that's easy to adjust. Give the throttle a quick lift and then settle into the pedal again and the grippy rear tires come into play progressively. The sticky tires afford the Lotus huge traction, and the car catapults away from apexes with devastating effectiveness. It's just a shame that extracting the Secant's performance requires a blemish-free surface like a racetrack, prone as it is to nasty bump steer.

Our testing surface has minor irregularities that most cars sail over unperturbed, but not the Secant. As a result, its 70.9-mph speed in the slalom trails the 74.0-mph effort by the Exige S. And its 0.97g result on the skid pad just pips the 0.96g performance by the Exige S.

The Loud Pedal
At 101 dBA at full whack, the Secant is among the loudest cars we've ever tested. The open-element intake, literally inches from the driver's head, is like a megaphone through which a piercing supercharger whine joins in riotous accompaniment with the hissing intake and snorting exhaust.

It's entertaining at first, but with so little Lotus separating the racket from your skull, the din quickly grows tiresome. The Secant's soundtrack will only be appreciated by those who find death metal melodious.

Fortunately, where there's sound, there's fury. You can put your foot down at low revs and get a meaningful and linear shove from the torquey engine, and the sensation is one of supreme tractability.

To quantify how much of the Secant's urge is attributable to the race gas, we visited Harman Motive's Mustang dyno in Torrance, California. Here we conducted several pulls with each fuel calibration and found that the difference between the two maps is minimal — switching between them netted a maximum difference of just 5 hp.

Extensive use of carbon fibre and lightweight components
for the latest homologated-for-the-road Lotus Exige Cup 260

Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2009 Exige Cup 260. A direct development of the 2008 Exige Cup Car, this years car uses advanced light weight components and carbon fibre body material, to reduce the overall weight by 38 kg to a total mass less than 900 kg. Maximum power output of 257 hp (260 PS), remains the same as the 2008 car, but with careful attention to weight reduction detail, the 2009 Model Year Exige Cup 260 provides a more agile and dynamic track focused drive and is more
than capable of taming Europes most challenging race circuits.

Unusually for such a focused track and road machine, the 2009 Model Year Exige Cup 260 is fully homologated for road use in Europe and key markets in Asia - a must have for many race competition programmes where a road legal car has to be entered. The Lotus Exige Cup 260 is also eligible to compete in the newly announced 2009 Lotus Cup Europe race series organized and run by LoTRDC.

The Exige Cup 260 exploits the Lotus philosophy of using weight reduction to increase performance and reduce emissions.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus commented, Lotus is now recognised globally as one of the leaders in the green automotive revolution. Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus is attributed as saying Adding power makes you faster on the straights; adding lightness makes you faster everywhere and this statement is more relevant today than it ever has been, as decreasing weight increases the cars performance and most importantly efficiency.

The Exige Cup 260 follows this philosophy closely - the weight saving programme has looked at all areas of the car where components can be replaced with a lighter version (without pushing the costs beyond the reach of the serious track day driver or clubman racer) or where components can be removed completely without detracting from the purity of the driving experience:

Carbon fibre (resulting in a weight saving of 12kg):-
Roof Panel
FIA and HANS compliant Driver and Passenger Seats*
One piece Carbon Fibre Dash Top Panel
Rear Tailgate
Front Access Panels
Front Splitter
Side air intake ducts
Rear Spoiler

Lightweight components (resulting in a further weight saving of 22kg):-
Lightweight 'Motorsport' Battery
Ultra-light 12 Spoke Forged Alloy Wheels
Revised Rear Engine Subframe with lightweight Coating
Lightweight Fly Wheel
Lightweight composite bulkhead panel replaces rear window
Alloy Supercharger U bend pipes
Footwell Pads

Removing some other non essential components and equipment such as the interior and boot carpets, front mudflaps, battery cover, interior mirror, sunvisors, rear tailgate gas strut, results in a further weight saving of 4kg.

However, should a customer wish, air conditioning and an interior noise reduction pack are available, together with the complete range of Lotus metallic, lifestyle and premium paint colours.

The MY2009 Exige Cup 260 weighs in at just 890 kg, giving an impressive power to weight ratio of 288 hp / tonne (291 PS / tonne). But, of course, power to weight alone does not make a highly competitive race or track car, so in addition, the Exige Cup 260 has a formidable list of standard performance focused equipment, as follows:-

Wheels and Tyres

Ultra lightweight wheels, that reduce the unsprung mass and contribute a weight saving of approximately 10 kg (22 lbs) over the already super light forged Exige wheels, are shod with Lotus specific LTS construction and compound Yokohama A048 LTS tyres to maximise grip and achieve the ride and handling targets set by Lotus Engineering.

Safety Equipment

Lotus Exige Cup 260 cars have the safety equipment expected of a race car, with FIA and HANS compliant carbon fibre lightweight sports seats*, normal 3-point Webb Lock harnesses (four or six point driver and passenger seat belt harnesses are available for track use only).

(* The seats are FIA compliant when fitted in conjunction with fixed seat runners that are available as a track only dealer fit option).

A high tensile steel roll over hoop is now fitted with a body coloured Lotus Sport AFrame as standard and the chassis is already pre-drilled to fit a full front roll cage a simple dealer fit process involving just the removal of the roof panel for access prior to fitting. Completing the additional safety equipment is a FIA compliant electronic ignition kill switch, with cockpit and external activation, and a FIA compliant plumbed electrically activated fire extinguisher system, again with cockpit and external switches.

Like all current Lotus cars, the Exige Cup 260 is built around a very strong extruded and bonded aluminium chassis tub. Attached to the chassis is a sacrificial energy absorbing composite front structure designed to help absorb crash energy in the event of impact.

Suspension

Eibach springs, one way adjustable Bilstein dampers and a stiffened and adjustable front anti-roll bar allows customers to tailor the handling characteristics of the car to their own requirements. As the Exige Cup 260 cars are equipped for track use, a double shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during racing or hard track day driving.

Brakes

The brake system includes large diameter 308 mm 2-piece aluminium belled cast iron cross-drilled and ventilated front discs and 282 mm cross-drilled and ventilated discs at the rear, upgraded Pagid RS14 sports brake pads set into the brake calipers (AP Racing two piece radially mounted, 4 piston at the front and Brembo sliding at the rear), and stainless steel braided brake hoses - all linked to the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS system that enhances braking performance and minimizes stopping distance without taking over from the skill of the driver.

Performance, Economy and Emissions

The Exige Cup 260 is one of the quickest road cars around a circuit. Key to this incredible performance is the aerodynamic package, which produces over 40 kg of downforce at 160 kmh increasing grip and stability at higher speeds. With a top speed of circa 245 kmh (152 mph) and a zero to 160 kmh (100 mph) in circa 9.9 seconds, 0 to 100 kmh in circa 4.1 seconds (0 to 60 mph in circa 4 seconds), the MY2009 Exige Cup 260 is the perfect partner for the serious racer. Combined Fuel Consumption is 9.1 l/100km and the CO2 emissions 216 g/km.

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled engine in the Exige Cup 260 has a maximum power output of 260 PS (257 hp) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of 236 Nm (174 lbft) at 6000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now available together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear delivery of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm (8500 rpm transient for 2 seconds). The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engines oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Charge air (air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through an air-to-air intercooler (the air enters via the enhanced roof scoop)
before being fed into the engine itself. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes to minimise restriction and maximise throttle response and efficiency. Four high capacity injectors and an uprated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or continuous high speed driving.

A lightweight flywheel is fitted (giving even greater flexibility and response to the gear change), a sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to the lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) with the same perfectly spaced ratios as the Exige S. A torque-sensing limited slip differential is fitted as standard, with a plate type limited slip differential available as an option. An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant.

Electrical supply is provided by a lightweight motorsport battery which saves a massive 5 kg of weight sitting behind the rear axle again weight saving is not just the removal of mass but ensuring that this mass is removed where it most effects performance and handling.

Lotus Launch Control and Lotus Traction Control

Keen to pass on lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing programme, Lotus Sport has contributed another important technology launch control combined with variable traction control. This combination has already made its production debut with the track-oriented Lotus 2-Eleven.

The launch control allows the driver to determine the number of revs they wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that limit, the driver then holds their foot down fully on the throttle pedal and sidesteps the clutch pedal for a very quick departure from the line. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch to transmission engagement to minimise the stresses to the drivetrain. The launch control also keeps wheel-spin at bay until 6 mph, after which the traction control assumes its duties.

As with launch control, the driver can control the amount of traction control you require from the drivers seat, altering it on the move to suit the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from an optimum 7 percent tyre slip to completely off. The message display in the new instrument pack displays what degree of traction control you
have currently dialled in.

Roof Scoop

For 2009, the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 now has a high flow, full-length carbon roof scoop as part of the lightweight carbon roof panel, which not only saves 4 kg but also ensures efficient cooling through the intercooler, which in turn allows the Exige Cup 260 to gain a higher charge density in the cylinders.

Specification

The standard specification Lotus Exige Cup 260 is road legal within the European Union, and can be registered for road use.

The Exige Cup 260 is available now for sale in mainland Europe. Individual recommended retail prices for some major European markets are listed below:

Retail prices for the UK (MSRP)

Recommended retail price (including VAT) is 45,995, (an additional 950 is charged for on the road costs. These include delivery, PDI, first service, number plates, first registration fee, valet, 12 months Road Fund Licence and a full tank of fuel.

Recommended retail prices for the following markets (MSRP) (including transport, delivery, local taxes and first service (but excluding registration, license plates and or a full tank of fuel):

Belgium 68,650
France 67,950
Germany 67,600
Italy 68,650
Netherlands 91,800
Switzerland CHF 100,000

Recommended retail prices for the following markets (MSRP) (excluding transport, delivery, local taxes, first service, registration, license plates and full tank of fuel):

Luxembourg 56,034
Spain 56,034
Austria 56,034
Greece 56,034

For recommended retail prices for the following markets (MSRP): Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Sweden please contact a member of the PR Team.

Warranty

The Lotus Exige Cup 260 will have a limited manufacturers warranty unless used for competition or timed runs. Any type of timed or competitive vehicle use requires that a suitably qualified specialist applies expert levels of vehicle preparation, servicing and maintenance. The purchasers statutory rights are not affected.

Lotus Cup Europe:

Lotus Cup Europe has a new organiser and follows a new format with a six round, twelve race calendar for the 2009 season.

The series will be organised and run by LoTRDC Ltd. who, with MSVR runs the successful Elise Trophy series in the UK. LoTRDC is an independent company which is not connected to Lotus. The Proposed Calendar will have drivers racing on some of the most prestigious and demanding circuits in Europe:-

The provisional calendar is as follows:
Donington Park (UK)
Le Mans (France) or Zolder (Belgium)
Zandvoort (Holland)
Brands Hatch Grand Prix (UK)
Dijon-Prenois (France)
Spa Francorchamps (Belgium)

The calendar and race regulations for Lotus Cup Europe will be finalised by November; it is expected that there will be three classes available to ensure that the majority of Lotus owners across Europe can compete. The 2-Eleven and the new 2009 Model year Lotus Exige Cup 260 will also be eligible.

For 2009, Lotus Cup Europe will have a different format from the past race series,
as follows:-
20 minutes qualifying
Race 1 (minimum 20 minutes duration)
Race 2 (minimum 20 minutes duration)
The grid will consist of Lotus product only and all cars will run on Yokohama A048 LTS tyres.

Further details are available at: www.LotusCupEurope.com