Tuesday 20th October 2009

Lotus Scura Invokes The 'Dark Side'

Exige special edition gets the matt black and carbon treatment

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The track car for Star Wars fans?

The Exige Scura is a matt black and carbon fibre special edition that Lotus will unveil at the Tokyo motor show tomorrow.

Translated as 'dark' from Italian, the name Scura reflects the stealthy character of the Exige, and is meant 'to evoke the desire to indulge your dark side', says Lotus.

The Scura will be limited to just 35 examples and will cost £45,950 on the road in the UK. To help Lotus/Jedi enthusiasts 'feel the force', the car's matt black soft-feel paint is complemented by high gloss 'Phantom Black' triple stripes (Phantom Menace, surely?), while carbon front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side airscoops and rear spoiler 'enhance the distinction between the different textures and exaggerate the tactile quality of the velvety touch to the matt black paint,' they say. Ooh, that just made us want to 'cop a feel'...

Matt may be 'last year', but who cares!

Continuing the dark 'Scura' appearance into the interior, carbon fibre is used extensively to compliment the exterior theme and reduce weight. The seats and centre console are crafted from carbon fibre and the handbrake and gear knob have a special anodised treatment which leaves the metal with an anthracite colour finish. All carbon fibre components have been finished in high-gloss clear lacquer allowing the weave to remain exposed.

The Exige Scura is not just about its looks - equipped with the most powerful engine in the Exige range and generating 260PS, the car achieves a top speed of around 150mph and reaches 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds.

Standard kit includes launch control, variable slip traction control and adjustable dampers, and the order book opens tomorrow.

 

[clarencegi77]

yet again..

[JumpinJack]

I'm not usually a fan of the lotus range, but this... I LIKE! But don't think I'd be able to get in one being 6ft 5?!?! anyone know what the maximum height is to be able to drive one?

[Oily Nails]

Sweet Jesus!! That is an evil looking Son of a BH

I'll have mine under the Christmas Tree please

[G0ldfysh]

For track days does it come with a all black race suit and a black shiny skid lid from Simpson ?

[patmahe]

All that carbon fibre and no word on how much the car weighs?? It looks good and has plenty of power so I'm sure it will be properly quick, I really like some of the details, it seems a bit more than the usual lotus 'coat of paint' special edition.

[darth_pies]

Can anybody with matt black paint on their car explain how they keep it clean without making it shiny? Surely as soon as you start rubbing it with a sponge you are going to get patches on it?

I'm sure everybody will moan about the number of Elige special editioons, but i have to say though: this looks awesome

[Graham E]

I know it's just paint etc, but this looks furkin lush...

[whythem]

How do you keep this matt black finish clean. Looks mean though.

[jgt1972]

whythem said:

How do you keep this matt black finish clean. Looks mean though.

er...you wash it.

[Lordbenny]

whythem said:

How do you keep this matt black finish clean.

Just what I was thinking, you can't polish or wax it can you?

[LuS1fer]

It'll be nice when it's finished.

[tridave]

jgt1972 said:

whythem said:

How do you keep this matt black finish clean. Looks mean though.

er...you wash it.

Yepp but u are going to get a surface scratch and marks on it u cant polish it, oooo down to the ironmongers to get some lead polish

[The Pits]

the car looks great, it's a shame for me that it's not based on the 2009 MY styling as I don't thing the 2010 MY styling is any sort of improvement.

the carbon bits save 10kg, so it's more for looks than weight saving, but they do look gorgeous.

And please, no more moaning about special editions - EVER! It's so tedious, Lotus make lots of special editions as a means to sell more cars. Deal with it.far There really are many more important things to be concerned about.

[Paper Lawyer]

I'm not so keen on the matt finish on the Lotus - it looks better on certain cars and I'm not sure why

Oh, and some pedantry for the writer:

"Continuing the dark 'Scura' appearance into the interior, carbon fibre is used extensively to complement the exterior theme and reduce weight."

[LukeBird]

Evil!

[FWDRacer]

35 cars? Ninja's need only apply.

[scoinsy]

looks nice but for 45000 pound ad rather have a evo 10

[drgoatboy]

JumpinJack said:

I'm not usually a fan of the lotus range, but this... I LIKE! But don't think I'd be able to get in one being 6ft 5?!?! anyone know what the maximum height is to be able to drive one?

Think you would fit but it would be a squeeze...
I'm the same height and managed in a VX220 just fine

[Boggy]

Love!

Want!

Boggy

[Keaver]

Wow nice