Lotus adds lightness to new Exige S Club Racer
Mon, Mar 23 2015
Based on the Exige that's been on the market since 2000 – itself based on the Elise that dates back to 1996 – the new Exige S Club Racer manages to cut an extra 33 pounds off the vehicle's already featherlike curb weight, now down to under 2,600 lbs. The weight reduction comes down largely to the lightweight battery, center console, doors and sports seats. Yet measured at 100 miles per hour, the coupe also produces 93 lbs of extra downforce thanks to the revised aero package that includes a new front splitter, rear wing and flat underbody.
Joining the Elise 20th Anniversary Edition (which itself replaces the Elise S Club Racer), the new Lotus Exige S Club Racer packs a 3.5-liter V6 to run to 62 in four seconds flat and on to a top speed of 170 mph. That's some rather impressive performance for a vehicle that only costs GBP56,900 in the UK, which is about what you'd pay for a Porsche Cayman GTS over there that would cost us around $75k. Unfortunately, Lotus doesn't sell the Exige in the US anymore, so this is one further improvement on a model we'll just have to admire from across the ocean.
NEW LOTUS EXIGE S CLUB RACER - FASTER AND LIGHTER
- Club Racer ethos applied to searingly quick Exige S
- Weight reduced by 15 kg
- Lotus benchmarks for handling and pure driving experience
Applying the Lotus refined Club Racer principles to the already stunning Exige S results in the most inspiring version of an already class-leading sports car.
The Exige S is a model that already excels, thanks to its lightweight aluminium chassis-tub and aerodynamically enhanced composite bodywork. Its 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine delivers exciting performance, benchmark handling and a pure driving experience combined with a 4.0 seconds 0-62mph (0-100km/h) acceleration time and a top speed of 274 km/h (170 mph).
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, expressed his enthusiasm for the new model: "Factoring the Club Racer ethos into the Exige enhances the track-focussed potential of this important model. It encompasses our legendary benchmark in handling, with lightweight and efficient construction and that we will always put a peerless and pure driving experience first."
The new Exige S Club Racer occupies an important niche within the Exige range and arrives hot on the heels of the Elise 220 Cup and the forthcoming Evora 400, unveiled recently at the Geneva Motor Show.
Available only as a coupe model, the car possesses 42 kg of aerodynamic downforce at 100 mph (160 km/h), thanks to the front splitter, rear wing and flat underside, all contributing to its phenomenal performance and handling balance.
At 1161 kg, it is lighter by 15 kg compared to the Exige S, because of its new lightweight battery,lightweight centre console in body colour, lighter doors and lightweight sports seats in leather or Alcantara with colour coded stitching. Traction slip thresholds ('Drive', 'Sport' and 'Race' settings) allowing the driver enhanced vehicle control before intervention is required can be altered via a driver-selectable switch which is now fitted as standard. Both 'Sport' and 'Race' settings increase throttle responsiveness.
The Exige S Club Racer is available in Metallic White, Exige Orange, Metallic Yellow and Matt Black (option). The front splitter, rear wing, front access panel, roof panel, wing mirrors and rear transom are in matt black. Club Racer decals inside on the dashboard and seats and outside above the side indicator identify this latest special addition to the Exige range.
All this additional equipment amounts to GBP4,500 worth of extra value, for only GBP2,400 more than the standard Exige S (GBP54,500).
The Lotus Exige S Club Racer is on sale now with an MSRP of GBP56,900. For other currency prices, please contact the Lotus press office. Orders can be placed now.
Specifications:
Each Lotus Exige S Club Racer will have the following as standard:
* Body coloured light weight centre console
* Leather, or Alcantara (no cost), lighter sports seat trim option
* Colour-coded stitching on seats and door cards
* Colour-coded seat hoops
* Sports steering wheel
* 'Drive', 'Sport' and 'Race' settings for Traction slip thresholds
* Lightweight battery
* Matt Black distinguishing exterior trim pack
* A choice of four exterior colours - Exige Orange, Metallic White, Metallic Yellow, Matt Black (option)
* 'Exige S CR' decals externally and on dashboard stereo blanking-plate
Options
Air Conditioning GBP1,250
CD/Radio and USB Connection and NVH Pack GBP1,200
Matt Black Paint GBP2,000
Lightweight Two-Piece Brakes GBP1,850
Fuel consumption for Exige S Club Racer:
Urban 19.5 mpg – 14.5 litres / 100 km. Extra urban 37.2 mpg – 7.6 litres / 100 km.
Combined – 28.0 mpg – 10.1 litres / 100 km. CO2 emissions 235 g CO2 / km.
- Club Racer ethos applied to searingly quick Exige S
- Weight reduced by 15 kg
- Lotus benchmarks for handling and pure driving experience
Applying the Lotus refined Club Racer principles to the already stunning Exige S results in the most inspiring version of an already class-leading sports car.
The Exige S is a model that already excels, thanks to its lightweight aluminium chassis-tub and aerodynamically enhanced composite bodywork. Its 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine delivers exciting performance, benchmark handling and a pure driving experience combined with a 4.0 seconds 0-62mph (0-100km/h) acceleration time and a top speed of 274 km/h (170 mph).
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, expressed his enthusiasm for the new model: "Factoring the Club Racer ethos into the Exige enhances the track-focussed potential of this important model. It encompasses our legendary benchmark in handling, with lightweight and efficient construction and that we will always put a peerless and pure driving experience first."
The new Exige S Club Racer occupies an important niche within the Exige range and arrives hot on the heels of the Elise 220 Cup and the forthcoming Evora 400, unveiled recently at the Geneva Motor Show.
Available only as a coupe model, the car possesses 42 kg of aerodynamic downforce at 100 mph (160 km/h), thanks to the front splitter, rear wing and flat underside, all contributing to its phenomenal performance and handling balance.
At 1161 kg, it is lighter by 15 kg compared to the Exige S, because of its new lightweight battery,lightweight centre console in body colour, lighter doors and lightweight sports seats in leather or Alcantara with colour coded stitching. Traction slip thresholds ('Drive', 'Sport' and 'Race' settings) allowing the driver enhanced vehicle control before intervention is required can be altered via a driver-selectable switch which is now fitted as standard. Both 'Sport' and 'Race' settings increase throttle responsiveness.
The Exige S Club Racer is available in Metallic White, Exige Orange, Metallic Yellow and Matt Black (option). The front splitter, rear wing, front access panel, roof panel, wing mirrors and rear transom are in matt black. Club Racer decals inside on the dashboard and seats and outside above the side indicator identify this latest special addition to the Exige range.
All this additional equipment amounts to GBP4,500 worth of extra value, for only GBP2,400 more than the standard Exige S (GBP54,500).
The Lotus Exige S Club Racer is on sale now with an MSRP of GBP56,900. For other currency prices, please contact the Lotus press office. Orders can be placed now.
Specifications:
Each Lotus Exige S Club Racer will have the following as standard:
* Body coloured light weight centre console
* Leather, or Alcantara (no cost), lighter sports seat trim option
* Colour-coded stitching on seats and door cards
* Colour-coded seat hoops
* Sports steering wheel
* 'Drive', 'Sport' and 'Race' settings for Traction slip thresholds
* Lightweight battery
* Matt Black distinguishing exterior trim pack
* A choice of four exterior colours - Exige Orange, Metallic White, Metallic Yellow, Matt Black (option)
* 'Exige S CR' decals externally and on dashboard stereo blanking-plate
Options
Air Conditioning GBP1,250
CD/Radio and USB Connection and NVH Pack GBP1,200
Matt Black Paint GBP2,000
Lightweight Two-Piece Brakes GBP1,850
Fuel consumption for Exige S Club Racer:
Urban 19.5 mpg – 14.5 litres / 100 km. Extra urban 37.2 mpg – 7.6 litres / 100 km.
Combined – 28.0 mpg – 10.1 litres / 100 km. CO2 emissions 235 g CO2 / km.
By Noah Joseph
See also: Lotus marks 20 years of the Elise, Lotus nearing decision on sedan versus crossover, Lotus Evora 400 shows the new face of progress [w/video].