Lotus Exige

Infobox Automobile |sp=uk


name = Lotus Exige
manufacturer = Lotus Cars
production = 2000-present
class = Sports Car
layout = Mid engine, rear wheel drive
platform = Lotus Elise
body_styles = 2-door coupe
engines = Toyota 1796 cc I-4
transmission = 6-Speed manual
length = Auto in|149.5|0
width = Auto in|68.0|0
height = Auto in|45.6|0
weight = lb to kg|2015|abbr=yes
predecessor =
successor =
aka =
fuel_capacity = 43.5 L
related = Lotus Elise, Vauxhall VX220

The Lotus Exige (pronounced: ex-seej) is a two-door, two-seat sports car made by Lotus Cars. It is essentially a coupe version of the Lotus Elise, which is a roadster.

The original Exige (NA or naturally aspirated Exige) was launched in 2000 and had a 1.8 L Rover K Series engine in VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) tune. It produced 177 bhp in standard form and Auto bhp|192|0 in the "track spec" version.

In 2004, the Series 2 Exige was introduced. It features a 1.8 L 16-valve DOHC Toyota/Yamaha engine that produces 190 bhp with the Toyota engine designation of 2ZZ-GE.cite web | url = http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=115908 | title = Full Test: 2006 Lotus Exige | accessdate = 2008-03-07 | author = Chris Walton | date = 2006-06-28 | publisher = Edmunds Inc. ] Compared to the Series 2 Elise, it has a front splitter, fibreglass hardtop roof with roof scoop, rear engine cover, and rear spoiler. The sole purpose of these aerodynamic additions to the base Elise is to create more downforce (almost 100 lb of downforce at convert|100|mi/h|km/h|-1.6|abbr=on in the Exige versus 13 lb at convert|100|mi/h|km/h|-1.6|abbr=on in the Elise).

In February 2005, Lotus announced a limited production run of 50 Exiges, using the Toyota engine with a supercharger, that increases the power output to 243 bhp. These vehicles were only available in yellow or black, representing the colours of Lotus Sport, and are badged 240R. They have a projected 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 3.9 seconds and 0-100 mph (0-160 km/h) of 9.9 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h) at a cost of £44,000.00 (approximately $76,500.00 or €65,000.00). Fact|date=March 2008

The North American Exige was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. In February 2006, Lotus announced the Exige S model which used a supercharged Toyota engine producing 220 bhp.cite web | url = http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0702_2007_lotus_exige_s | title = Newcomers: 2007 Lotus Exige S | accessdate = 2008-03-07 | author = Greg N. Brown | work = MotorTrend | publisher = Source Interlink Media, Inc. ] The S was also made available in North American markets as a 2007 model.

Exige Specifications

According to Lotus, the standard Exige Series 2 model has the following specifications:

Engine:

:Toyota Supplied, 1796 cc I-4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing with lift intelligence) - Designed by Yamaha - Engine Code: 2ZZ-GE:Bore/Stroke 82 mm/85 mm:190 hp (142 kW) @ 7800 rpm:138 ft·lbf (187 N·m) @ 6800 rpm:Compression ratio: 11.5:1

Transmission: 6-Speed, Close Ratio with Single-Plate Dry Clutch

Weight: 2016 lb (914 kg)

Performance:

:0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.7 seconds:0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.9 seconds:Top speed: convert|147|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on :Fuel consumption: mpg (Imperial)|24 city / mpg (Imperial)|29 highway

Exige S Specifications

Infobox Automobile |sp=uk


name = Exige S
manufacturer = Lotus
production = 2007 - current
class = Sports Car
body_styles = 2-door coupe
engines = Toyota supercharged 1796 cc I-4
drivetrain = 6-Speed manual
length = Auto in|149.5|0
width = Auto in|68.0|0
height = Auto in|45.8|0
weight = lb to kg|2057|abbr=yes
predecessor = Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige
successor =
aka =
related = Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige
similar = Mazda Miata, Honda S2000According to Lotus, the Exige S model has the following specifications:

Engine:

:Toyota Supplied, 1796 cc I-4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing with lift intelligence), supercharged and intercooled:Bore/Stroke 82 mm/85 mm:218 hp (162.5 kW) @ 7800 rpm:158.6 ft·lbf (215 N·m) @ 5500 rpm:Compression ratio: 11.5:1

Transmission: 6-Speed, Close Ratio with Single-Plate Dry Clutch

Weight: 2057 lb (935 kg)

Exige S Performance:

:0-62 (0-100 km/h): 4.1 seconds:0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 9.98 seconds:Top speed: convert|148|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on :Fuel consumption: mpg (Imperial)|24 city / mpg (Imperial)|29 highway

2008 Exige S 240

For 2008, the Exige S will have a 240bhp option and will be sold alongside the regular Exige S (220hp). The package includes upgraded AP racing brakes from the Exige Cup 240 and a larger roof scoop from the Exige Cup 255. 0-60mph (0-97km/h) is trimmed to under 4 seconds with this option. The 2008 USA Exige S 220 will feature a non-intercooled supercharger identical to the Elise SC.The 2008 UK Exige S 220 AND The 2008 Exige S 240 will retain the intercooler for the supercharger.

Exige 265E Specifications

Infobox Automobile |sp=uk


name = Exige 265E
manufacturer = Lotus
production = Non-Production
class = Sports Car
body_styles = 2-door coupe
engines = Toyota supercharged 1796 cc I-4
drivetrain = 6-Speed manual
length = Auto in|149.5|0
width = Auto in|68.0|0
height = Auto in|45.8|0
weight = lb to kg|2050|abbr=yes
predecessor = Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige
related = Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige
similar = Mazda Miata, Honda S2000

The Exige 265E is a factory-built Exige S optimized to run on E85, comprised of 85% ethanol. The higher octane of this biofuel allows a higher compression ratio and/or more supercharger boost. Lotus says it has no intention to build the 265E (265 indicates the approximate horsepower and the E indicates the "environmentally favourable bio-ethanol E85 fuel" powering the engine) as a production car, and that it is simply a biofuels demonstrator [Lotus Engineering, "Exige 265E Bio-Fuel: British, Racing and Very Green," http://www.grouplotus.com/engineering/casestudies.html] . According to Lotus, the Exige 265E model has the following specifications:

Engine:

:Toyota Supplied, 2ZZ-GE 1796 cc I-4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing with lift intelligence), supercharged and intercooled:Bore/Stroke 82 mm/85 mm:264 hp (197 kW) @ 8000 rpm:184 ft·lbf (249 N·m) @ 5500 rpm:Compression ratio: 11.5:1

Transmission: C64 6-Speed, Close Ratio with Single-Plate Dry Clutch

Weight: 2050.3 lb (930 kg)

In this model, which saw the ECU re-mapped as well as upgraded injectors and fuel pump to cope with the new fuel type, the brakes have also been upgraded to four-piston AP Racing calipers with sport brake pads and increased diameter 310 mm drilled and vented discs at the front. Brembo single-piston sliding rear calipers with 282 mm diameter discs are fitted at the rear.

Exige 265E Performance:

:0-60 (0-97 km/h): 3.88 seconds:0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 9.2 seconds:Top speed: convert|158|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on:Fuel consumption: ~mpg (Imperial)|25 city / mpg (Imperial)|65 highway

Exige GT3 Specifications

Infobox Automobile |sp=uk


name = Exige GT3
manufacturer = Lotus
production = Non-production/Prototype
class = Sports car
body_styles = 2-door coupe
length = Auto in|152.0|0
width = Auto in|72.8|0
height = Auto in|44.0|0
wheelbase = Auto in|90.6|0
weight =
predecessor = Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige
related = Lotus Elise, Lotus ExigeAccording to Lotus, the Exige GT3 model has the following specifications:

Engine:

:Toyota Supplied 2ZZ-GE, 1796 cc I-4, DOHC with VVTL-i and Lotus T4e engine management system, supercharged and intercooled:Bore/Stroke 82.0 mm / 85.0 mm:271 bhp (203 kW) @ 8000 rpm:190 ft·lbf (258 N·m) @ 7000 rpm:Compression Ratio: 11.5:1

Transmission: C64-speed, Close Ratio with uprated clutch and cover, open differential

:Gear Ratios I/II/III : 3.116:1 / 2.050:1 / 1.481:1: IV/V/VI : 1.166:1 / 0.916:1 / 0.815:1: R/Final Drive : 3.250:1 / 4.529:1

Exige GT3 Performance:

:0-60 mph : 3.9 seconds:0-100 km/h : 4.0 seconds:0-100 mph (0-160 km/h) : 9.8 seconds:Top Speed : convert|160|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on - electronically limited:Power to weight ratio : Auto bhp|276|0/tonne

Note: While the mass of the vehicle has yet to be disclosed, it can be estimated to be around 2170 lb (980 kg) from the disclosure of the power to weight ratio.

References

External links

* [http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Lotus-Exige-265E/ Exige 265E review]
* [http://www.greenermachine.com/index.php?pOption=post&pPostId=27 Article on Exige 265E by GreenerMachine.com]
* [http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0804_sccp_2008_lotus_exige_s_240/index.html 2008 Lotus Exige S 240 Review and specs; Sport Compact Car Magazine]