The Lotus Exige Range
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THE LOTUS EXIGE RANGE CONTENTS THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS 1 2 THE LOTUS EXIGE CONTENTS THE LOTUS EXIGE CONTENTS A UNIQUE PLACE IN HISTORY 4 PERFORMANCE THROUGH LIGHTWEIGHT 6 BUILT IN PERFORMANCE 8 THE LOTUS EXIGE 10 INTRODUCTION 12 LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY HEAVYWEIGHT PUNCH 14 THE LOTUS EXIGE SPORT 350 16 THE LOTUS EXIGE SPORT 410 20 THE LOTUS EXIGE CUP 430 24 FURTHER INFORMATION 28 CONTENTS THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS 3 A UNIQUE PLACE IN HISTORY From the original Elite to the latest Evora, chassis, aerofoil wings, ‘gound effect’ Lotus has remained true to its founding and active suspension, through to today’s principles. Efficient use of the minimum aluminium bonded chassis, Lotus number of parts, a perfectly balanced has always pushed the boundaries of chassis plus a tactile and involving spirit automotive design and engineering. A are recognisable in every driving icon to deeply ingrained passion for innovation proudly carry the Lotus badge. remains at the core of everything Lotus does today. Since the day Colin Chapman built his first car in 1948 and established Lotus in 1952, the company has never ceased to innovate. This has earned Lotus a distinguished place in motorsport history. In Formula 1 alone, Lotus has more than 500 Grand Prix starts, complete with 81 victories and Below: Founder Colin Chapman. 7 World Championships. In addition, Lotus Right: 1972, Fittipaldi in the has successfully competed in Rally, Le iconic black and gold livery Mans, Indy and sports car classes around debriefs Chapman. the world. Colin Chapman applied pioneering, lightweight engineering to all of his road and race cars. His innovations changed A UNIQUE PLACE IN HISTORY A UNIQUE PLACE the course of racing car design forever. From the introduction of the monocoque THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS 4 “If you’re not winning, you’re not trying.” A UNIQUE PLACE IN HISTORY A UNIQUE PLACE 7 6 81 9 1 1 FIA Formula 1 FIA Formula 1 FIA Formula 1 Le Mans Indianapolis 500 FIA World Rally Constructors’ Drivers’ World Grand Prix Wins Win Championship EXIGE THE LOTUS World Championships Wins (in Class) Championships 5 PERFORMANCE THROUGH LIGHTWEIGHT Throughout the 1950’s, Colin Chapman Today, the Lotus Lightweight Laboratory constructed a series of aerodynamically maintains Colin Chapman’s legacy and advanced, lightweight sports racing cars ensures that his ethos is applied to - typified by the Lotus Eleven that won its every new model. After a complete strip class at Le Mans in 1957. All were shining down, every component is assessed and examples of Colin Chapman’s ethos - optimised through redesign, change a passion for innovative, lightweight of material, change of supplier or engineering best encapsulated by his integration. If one part can be made to do famous quote from the launch of the Lotus the job of several, this is where it happens. Seven in 1957: “to increase performance, Improvement is continuous. The quest to add lightness”. add lightness never ends. The result is the fastest, most capable road car range Chapman’s engineering ideals, more Lotus has ever built. relevant today than ever, endure in the celebrated Lotus Exige. Launched to great acclaim in 1996, this mid-engined, rear-wheel drive, ultra light thoroughbred redefined the sports car once again. Its revolutionary bonded aluminium chassis delivered the ultimate driving sensation, providing exceptional feedback with thrilling acceleration, low CO2 emmisions and exceptionally low running costs for the PERFORMANCE THROUGH LIGHTWEIGHT THROUGH PERFORMANCE high performance on offer. 22 years later, it remains unmatched for tactile agility and pure driving pleasure. THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS 6 7 THE LOTUS EXIGE PERFORMANCE THROUGH LIGHTWEIGHT BUILT IN PERFORMANCE The name Lotus is synonymous around patches optimally controlled in this the world with sublime handling and way, the Exige can generate astonishing poised vehicle dynamics. Key to it all cornering forces from modest tyres. Very is that every Lotus is designed and few car companies today offer such high engineered from scratch with singular quality suspension across the range. focus - each one is purpose-built to be Then again, very few car companies focus a sports car. exclusively on purpose-built sports cars. Any mass-produced saloon or hatchback The other secret to Lotus’ renounded can be made to go faster but it’s never the ride and handling mastery is the on-site optimal starting point for a performance test track. A luxury afforded to few other car. For that you need to start with an car makers, it allows Lotus to develop exceptionally strong, rigid, lightweight cars faster and more intensively. Every chassis designed by a company with Lotus is painstakingly honed to extract seven decades of elite-level motorsport every last drop of dynamic performance experience. Every Lotus, from the from each component – remaining true Elise Sprint 220 to the Evora GT430, to Chapman’s principle of performance benefits from a bespoke, motorsport through lightweight. tested, bonded aluminium chassis. The pioneering process of bonding aluminium extrusions remains state-of-the-art today and provides the perfect platform for some of the highest quality suspension BUILT IN PERFORMANCE BUILT components to be found on any road car. Each and every Lotus car features the optimal design of unequal length double wishbones for superior kinematics, absolute precision, intuitive response and THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS maximum tyre grip. With all four contact 8 9 THE LOTUS EXIGE BUILT IN PERFORMANCE THE LOTUS EXIGE EXIGE THE LOTUS THE LOTUS 10 11 THE LOTUS EXIGE 12 THE LOTUS EXIGE INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION The Exige has always blended the torsional rigidity which doubles as a components including unequal length extreme and the sublime. In true Lotus strong safety cell. This allows the huge double wishbone suspension, Bilstein fashion, it traces its origins back to outputs produced by the supercharged V6 dampers, Eibach springs and track tuned motorsport, conceived from technology to be transmitted to the road efficiently AP Racing brakes have been carefully developed in competition. With a choice and with assured composure. optimised after countless hours on road of increasingly potent supercharged Despite what the power to weight and track. Helping the driver harness V6 engines, dramatic styling, and ratios may suggest, every Exige is a such formidable firepower is a brilliant hardcore handling - Lotus’ winning precision instrument. The mid-engine Dynamic Performance Management recipe for intense performance remains configuration maximises traction and (DPM) system that offers extra stability uncompromising. Benefitting from near handling balance, ensuring breathtaking when grip levels are finally exceeded. continuous evolution since the original capability on both road and track. Still one of the most advanced systems of was launced in 2000 with 177bhp, the its kind, ‘Race’ mode constantly monitors latest Exige Cup 430 packs a staggering The supercharged 3.5 litre V6 elevates the and instantly responds to the levels 430bhp and generates 220kg of downforce. Exige to a rarefied level of performance. of grip available, providing maximum Compact, and naturally balanced for possible traction as well as stability Every Exige has a commanding presence smooth, linear power, acceleration in and out of corners, for ultimate lap way beyond its size. The aggressive styling is savage and relentless with such a times. It is so seamless and unintrusive underlines its racing pedigree, with fully low mass to propel. Strong, instant in operation that, for the first time, not functional, track-inspired aerodynamics torque is always available across the even the factory test drivers can lap a statement of its performance intent. rev range, making the Exige effortless faster with the system switched off. Motorsport engineering and expertise is and surprisingly refined at legal road evident in every component, starting with speeds. Intense performance comes an ultra lightweight chassis of immense from intensive detail. Race-derived INTRODUCTION THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS 13 LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY HEAVYWEIGHT PUNCH The Exige takes the transition from challenging race track to open road in its stride. Expertly honed suspension works in perfect harmony with a motorsport tested chassis and Michelin tyres to ensure unrivalled driver involvement at all speeds. The many benefits of the ultra low mass are constantly felt. Whatever the circumstances - tight hairpin, sweeping curve or endless straight, the Exige is superbly poised and controlled, delivering authentic, confidence-inspiring feedback through the exquisite unassisted steering. At the slightest urge, the supercharged V6 responds immediately thanks to muscular torque available at all engine speeds. Immense stopping power provides great reassurance on the road and true stamina on track. The new, lighter, open-gate gear shifter delivers faster, more satisfying shifts and greater precision. LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY HEAVYWEIGHT PUNCH LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY HEAVYWEIGHT The Exige cuts an imposing silhouette on the road, from its purposeful design to its awe-inspiring dynamic capabilities, the intent is clear. Supreme on the track. Rewarding on the road. THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS 14 The Exige range starts with the deeply The ultimate Exige experience is reserved capable Exige Sport 350. 345bhp meets for the astonishing Exige Cup 430. With just 1115kg wet for an impressive 309bhp 430bhp pushing just 1093kg wet, the result per ton. Above that sits the mighty Exige is nearly 406bhp per ton. The road and Sport 410. Chargecooled for exceptional track weapon to rule them all. power and stamina on track, 410bhp meets 1091kg wet for 375bhp per ton. LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY HEAVYWEIGHT PUNCH LIGHTWEIGHT AGILITY HEAVYWEIGHT THE LOTUS EXIGE THE LOTUS 15 THE LOTUS EXIGE SPORT 350 Updated to keep ahead of the competition for 2018 and beyond, the ever-popular Exige Sport 350 continues to deliver driving excitement in its purest form. A lesson in the value of a high power-to- weight ratio, the combination of potent, torque-rich, 3.5 litre supercharged V6 in a rigid, lightweight chassis provides thrilling acceleration and instant response.