Lotus Exige
The Lotus Exige is a sports car by Lotus Cars based on the Lotus Elise.
The Exige was in racing and has unlike the Elise a hatchback. His third generation are available with top like the Elise or Exige as the older targa roof and rear wing. Typical of the first two generations of the air scoop on the roof.
- 3.1 Lotus Exige R-GT
- 4.1 Lotus Exige 265E (2007)
- 4.2 Lotus Exige 270E TriFuel (2008)
Generation 1 (2000-2001)
The first series features an uprated Rover four-cylinder K-series with 130 kW or 140 kW ( race version ) and was built between 2000 and 2001 a total of 601 times. Is shifted via a five-speed gearbox. Was used fiberglass reinforced plastic for the body parts. At 161 km / h its output was measured with 80 kg, of which 45 kg on the rear axle and 35 kg on the front axle. All in all, this was due to the improved aerodynamics compared to normal Elise. Additional headlights were placed in the corners of the front air inlet. As an option was offered shortly after the start of series production air conditioning. The empty weight was in the basic equipment at 780 kg.
Generation 2 (2004-2011)
Analogous to the second series of the Elise and the Exige 2004 has been revised. In addition to various modifications to the chassis and the new design, he got the offer in the Elise 111R Toyota engine with 141 kW ( 192 hp ) and a six -speed gearbox, and specifically to the vehicle matched Yokohama 048 LTS Sports Tires ( Lotus version of the Yokohama 048R ). As accessories were air conditioning (15 kg additional weight ), oil cooler, lighter forged wheels and a roll cage for order. The weight was as a minimum at 875 kg ( 780 kg in comparison to the S1 Exige ). At 160 km / h, second generation now had 19.3 kg and 21.9 kg front downforce on the rear axle. Most body panels are made of fiberglass. The standard equipment for the United Kingdom consisted of, among other things: the Blaupunkt-Lausanne-CR-R/W-Radio including speakers, auxiliary lights on the front and central locking. The version with 141 kW was discontinued in 2007.
The later presented Exige S pays thanks supercharged 163 kW ( 221 hp) and is thus again 22 kW (30 hp) more than the thanks to good power to weight ratio not underpowered base Exige.
Since the 2008 model year, and there were the optional Performance Package for the Exige S to order, which increases the performance of the 4- cylinder engine to 176 kW. This is ensured by including a Magnuson/Eaton-M62-Kompressor; an enlarged air intake on the roof; larger injectors; and a reinforced clutch. More gimmicks of performance packages are 308 mm measured slotted and vented front discs with 4-piston AP Racing calipers, improved brake pads front and rear, a variable, adjustable in several stages traction control, and a so-called Launch Control. To improve the acceleration values at 4 s for the sprint from 0 to 100 km / h, 9.7 seconds to 160 km / h The top speed of almost 250 km / h
2010 received the Exige a minor facelift in which the front and rear wings were modified.
Lotus Exige 240R (2005)
2005 offered Lotus at this special model with Toyota VVTI engine, supercharger, special rims, T45 Motorsport roll cage, Öhlins suspension and additional oil cooler. It delivers 182 kW ( 247 hp) at 930 kg. The performance figures are at an acceleration of less than 4 seconds to 100 kph and a top speed of almost 250 km / h 3.8 kg / hp to be achieved as a power to weight ratio. The vehicle was available only in sports Black and Yellow Sports, which were only available for the 240R special model. The model was built only 50 times and cost around 62,000 euros.
Lotus Sport Exige (2005)
The Lotus Sport Exige is the racing branch of the 240R and is powered by a 298 kW V6 with 3 liters. A free AP Racing brake system provides for such delay. OZ magnesium racing rims in combination with 250cc (front) and 280 -Yokohama racing tires ( rear) provide for liability on the asphalt. Is shifted via a sequential six -speed gearbox. The vehicle was made only once and was an anticipation of the future of the Exige.
Lotus Exige Cup and Cup 240 (2006)
A developed by the Motorsport division Lotus Sport special edition in two stages. The Exige Cup has a 140 kW four -cylinder 1.8- liter displacement and 181 Nm, the Cup 240 has a 1.8 -liter four-cylinder engine with supercharger and intercooler, which 182 kW at 8000 1/min and 236 Nm at 7000 1 / min yields. The vehicles are based on the Exige model year 2006 and are fully ready to race, but street legal.
Additional improvements include improved clutch, a sport exhaust system, an adjustable suspension, improved brakes, a limited slip differential, an adjustable traction control, a T45 steel roll-over bars and a frame with attachment points for racing harnesses, fuel and ignition emergency stop switch and a fire extinguishing system. An approved by the FIA six-point roll cage is a no-cost option. The Exige Cup reaches 100 km / h in 5,2 s and 160 km / h in 13.2 seconds and a top speed of 237 km / h The Cup 240 reaches the 100-km/h-Marke in 4.5 seconds and 160 km / h in 11.3 s Top speed is 249 km / h
Generation 3 ( 2012 - )
At the IAA 2011 in Frankfurt the next generation of Lotus Exige was introduced, whose production should start in mid-2012. The notified Lotus Exige S V6 as the third generation is equipped with the turbocharged via a compressor six-cylinder V- engine of the Lotus Evora S, the (350 hp) has a power of 248 kW with 400 Nm of torque. The transversely mounted engine drives through a manual six -speed gearbox to the rear axle. The third generation of the Lotus Exige is compared to the previous versions slightly heavier ( 1176 kg ) and greater become the dimensions, in particular the wheelbase has been extended due to the changed dimensions of the engine.
In addition to the Exige S Exige S coupe roadster with a soft top rather than fixed verbautem hardtop, the same engine, but without the rear wing and with a limited to 233 km / h is parallel offered since 2013.
After initial difficulties with the production of the third generation of the Lotus Exige, which the company had established with quality assurance measures, the first customer cars were delivered in England since the beginning of 2013.
The third generation of the Lotus Exige has developed considerably compared to its predecessor. It has in addition to the V6 engine is a completely new suspension with a wider track width ( front 25 mm, rear 38 mm) and contributes to the all-new rear suspension for the first time a stabilizer. Furthermore, the wheelbase grew by 70 millimeters in length. A special feature of the Lotus Exige the so-called Lotus DPM (Dynamic Performance Management ) allowing via a selector switch up to four different driving modes such as Touring, Sport or Race. The Exige S V6 reaches the 100-km/h-Marke in under 4 seconds Top speed is 274 km / h
Lotus Exige R-GT
At the IAA 2011, a version was introduced for use in the World Rally Championship. The Lotus Exige R-GT has known from the Lotus Evora 3.5 liter V6 engine. Due to the FIA regulations stipulated, 34 mm air restrictors, the power to 222 kW ( 302 hp) is reduced. The regulations related minimum weight of the rally car is 1200 kg. The power is transmitted to the rear axle via a sequential six-speed manual transmission with column shift. The wheelbase was to accommodate the larger engine extended.
The R -GT is based on the Exige S, and is completely ready for the race, made with roll cage, reinforced side impact protection -Flat and the additional required safety equipment from rally cars to customer teams. As the liaison stages on public roads, of special stage on special stage or to the Service Park to be driven, all race cars participating in the World Rally Championship, to be approved for road traffic.
It is planned to Lotus R-GT to use from the World Rally Championship in 2012 with asphalt rallies such as the Monte Carlo Rally, as the GT class is not advertised in gravel rallies.
Prototypes for alternative fuels
Lotus Exige 265E (2007)
The Lotus Exige 265E is a study on the use of flexible and renewable fuel sources, mass production is not planned. The hitherto most powerful road version of the Exige makes use of bio- ethanol. Developed by Lotus Engineering, the Development Office of Lotus, which has also worked for Opel and other companies, the engine delivers 197 kW in the 265E. The car weighs 930 kg empty and accelerated in 3.88 s to 100 km / h The top speed of almost 260 km / h
The aerodynamics of the vehicle has also been improved by, for example, was designed underbody completely flat. The rear diffuser has been improved and a deeper front spoiler, which sits just 108 mm above the road surface mounted. In addition, the rear spoiler was fixed at an angle of 11.5 ° to find the best compromise between acceleration and downforce.
In addition to regular Exige S, the vehicle has undergone changes, such as wider Lightweight Lotus Sport five-spoke aluminum wheels, which are painted in High Power Silver. An improved brake system with four-piston AP Racing calipers with sport brake pads and internally ventilated discs with 310 mm diameter front and 282 mm in diameter measured discs with Brembo single-piston calipers on the rear axle. In addition, reinforced brake hoses and a special brake fluid. The suspension was upgraded with two -way adjustable Ohlins dampers and an adjustable strut bar mounted in the front. An oil reserve tank was mounted and the sport exhaust Stage One installed. In addition, two oil coolers, and air conditioning are standard installed.
Lotus Exige 270E TriFuel (2008)
The Lotus Exige 270E TriFuel is presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2008 study and provides a consistent development of the Exige 265E dar. The engine of the vehicle can be any mixture of gasoline and the alcohols methanol ( M100 or lower) and ethanol ( E100 or lower, about the better-known E85). The performance figures are similar to those of the Exige 265E, only the performance increased to up to 201 kW at 8000 min -1, depending on refueling. The maximum torque is 260 Nm at Lotus with 5500 min-1 at.
With an introduction of TriFuel technology is to be expected before 2012. If only conventional gasoline available, this is not a problem; , methanol / ethanol fueled, so the performance will increase (but also increases the consumption slightly ).