Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition

Third Hethel 50th anniversary special announced as lighter, faster Exige 350

The formula to create a Lotus special edition is a familiar one, if also guaranteed to create an exceptional sports car. Take the current range flagship, remove some weight, offer it in fancy colours and the job's sorted - see the Elise 250 SE and Evora Hethel.

The third car has now been announced as part of the 50 years of Hethel celebrations, the Exige 350 Special Edition. As can probably be surmised, it's based on the fantastic Sport 350 we so enjoyed a little while back. To that package it adds the lithium-ion battery, forged wheels, carbon seats and lighter brakes (all optional on Sport 350) to trim 26kg from the car; in fact a kerbweight of 1,099kg is 77kg lighter than a standard Exige.

This of course means improved performance too, the 350 Special Edition recording a 1:29.8 lap at Hethel and a 3.7-second sprint to 60mph. According to Jean-Marc Gales, the car is a "real beast that needs taming but it won't bite back."

Further identifying the 350 Special Edition are four special liveries - Essex Blue, Old English White, Dark Metallic Grey and Motorsport Black - with contrasting race stripes. Inside it's marked out by standard - standard! - floor mats and cruise control.

There will be 50 of these Exiges available. They're available to order now, priced at £61,900. Finally, if you fancy a Sport 350 and can go without the limited edition adornments, there are a few cars already available secondhand; this yellow one (with the tartan) is £52K.