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.