Friday 10th February 2006
Lotus launches Exige S
Fastest accelerating Lotus ever say the chaps at Hethel
Lotus Exige S
How many more variations can there be? Lotus have pulled yet another Elise variant out of the bag today with the announcement of the new "Exige S".
Whilst another model is bound to confuse those not intimately familiar with the marque, this one does set itself apart with the claim of being the fastest accelerating Lotus ever to come off the production line.
Weighing in at a modest 935 kg (2057 lbs) the Exige S is powed by a supercharged engine producing 218bhp. That's enough poke to launch it to 60mph in just 4.1 seconds and power on to 148mph.
Clive Dopson, Managing Director of Lotus Cars said today, "The Exige S represents the ultimate "extreme" production Lotus, with performance that trumps other supercars costing twice or even three times as much. That it does so with the fuel economy of a family hatchback, stands as a testament to the Lotus concept of performance through light weight. Its an unbeatable package and an unbeatable drive."
The heart of the Exige S is a Roots-type supercharger and air to air intercooler bolted to the now familiar 4-cylinder, 1.8 litre 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine. Using a development of the supercharger and intercooler package developed first for the Lotus Sport Exige 240R, the Exige S achieves peak power at 7800 rpm. Torque peaks at 158.6 lb ft at 5500 rpm. Maximum engine speed is 8000 rpm (8500 rpm transient for up to 2 seconds).
A slightly redesigned air intake and roof scoop has been added to the Exige S to ensure that the air to air intercooler works as efficiently and effectively as possible. A single oval exhaust exits from the centre of the undertray.
Colour Coded
The Lotus Exige S uses the same aerodynamic package as the standard Exige, however, the key body components of the rear wing, front splitter and side air intakes are body colour coded to differentiate it.
The car will be available as a fully homologated vehicle for the markets in which it is sold. It won't be available in the USA however.
UK pricing starts at £33,995 including VAT (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price), mainland Europe: 44,147 Euros excluding individual market taxes (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). Japan: JYP 6,909,000 including tax.
The car will be available in the UK in March/April, Europe in April/May, Asia in May/June.
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AlexRWD
Original Poster
1,218 posts
67 months
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Ho can this be faster than the 240R? 
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bunglist
520 posts
60 months
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Lotus better not sell any in greater Manchester, then again they have probably been banned from being able to sell them buy the police as the car will reach a speed over 15 MPH.
Nice car Lotus, Keep up the good work Chaps!!!!!!!!!!
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the pits
2,163 posts
70 months
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...er... I just don't geddit either.
Looks like a cut price 240R/cup240 with a similar cut in horsepower. It's only producing 28bhp more than standard - hardly worth the supercharger and intercooler? And if it's no lighter than standard it just can't be the 'fastest accelerating exige ever'.
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garydvo
402 posts
68 months
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Fastest Production car, 240R was a bolt on by Lotus I belive. I may be wrong.
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peanutjb
749 posts
76 months
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Something doesnt really add up here...
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franky
29 posts
112 months
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It's not a question only about bhp but torque!!!
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L100NYY
14,190 posts
73 months
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garydvo said:| Fastest Production car, 240R was a bolt on by Lotus I belive. I may be wrong. |
That's right, the 'S' is an official production model unlike the Cup and 240R which had to be built first as a standard Exige and then converted by Lotus Sport. So the 'S' is the fastest accelerating production Lotus. Hope this clears up any confusiuon.
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the pits
2,163 posts
70 months
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OK but a supercharger and intercooler for just 28bhp doesn't seem worth it. More to the point would it cost a penny more to allow it to boost up to the full 240 bhp. OK I'll bet it's an easy aftermarket tweak but then you'll invalidate the warranty etc. It just seems bugging they are restricting the bhp, I presume to keep 240R owners happy.
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davejavue
141 posts
58 months
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Don't like the colour coding looks as if some back street garage has had a go at it. Prefer my bits black thanks!
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boggy
4,066 posts
65 months
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the pits said:| OK but a supercharger and intercooler for just 28bhp doesn't seem worth it. More to the point would it cost a penny more to allow it to boost up to the full 240 bhp. OK I'll bet it's an easy aftermarket tweak but then you'll invalidate the warranty etc. It just seems bugging they are restricting the bhp, I presume to keep 240R owners happy. |
That's why I'm going to buy one and not buy a Cup Boggy
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garydvo
402 posts
68 months
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davejavue said:| Don't like the colour coding looks as if some back street garage has had a go at it. Prefer my bits black thanks! |
Black is the only colour IMHO for the S2 Exige
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boggy
4,066 posts
65 months
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I want Artic White with Yellow stripes
boggy
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L100NYY
14,190 posts
73 months
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The way that the supercharged car produces the power is totally different to a normally aspirated Exige, the power and most importantly the torque comes in lot lower and is consequently an easier car to drive quickly.
I don't doubt that more power is available from the 'S' but there is a big price difference between a Cup and the 'S' which surely justifies this? I would take an eduacated guess and say that the reason for the power difference is down to emission regualtions for the SVA.
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higgy
68 posts
62 months
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The colour coding was the reason I didnt have one last year. When it was first exibited they had a nice graphite grey colour coded one. I do approve. Ohh yeah its pretty quick as well. Go lotus
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GTRene
5,081 posts
54 months
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Don't have much time yet to tell a lot, but I must say this... Well done Lotus, I love it! the price is good , the car and specs sound sweet and powerfull...and I want one please Santa  GTRene
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the pits
2,163 posts
70 months
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Looks great, just not sure about the orange spoiler.
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enjybenjy
658 posts
83 months
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See, I like the colour coding and the exhaust. it just shows that everybody has a slightly different taste - at least we all like the shape and design of the car
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mrdemon
932 posts
95 months
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Lotus just shag there owners and always have I would never buy another Lotus
this one just sucks like the rest of them
158 ft/lb is about as much use as a condom with a hole in it.
this engine has never worked in the Lotus and never will.
imo its another rip off and a kick in the face to normal exige owners who paid 30k for theres
makes them worth about 16k now. lol
the VX220 may have looked pants but it had the two best engines in them.
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S Works
9,749 posts
80 months
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mrdemon MMC 
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peter450
844 posts
63 months
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mrdemon said:Lotus just shag there owners and always have I would never buy another Lotus
this one just sucks like the rest of them
158 ft/lb is about as much use as a condom with a hole in it.
this engine has never worked in the Lotus and never will.
imo its another rip off and a kick in the face to normal exige owners who paid 30k for theres
makes them worth about 16k now. lol
the VX220 may have looked pants but it had the two best engines in them. |
we are speechless in the face of such well reasoned argument, you can here the silence as all absorb these nuggets of knowledge 
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