PICS: For 2010 the Lotus Exige S240 gets a nose job
JLA
most obvious changes are a revised front fascia and a new rear wing.
We first saw the new look last March in Geneva, and more recently on
the Exige Cup 260 in Geneva. The larger air intake allows more
airflow for better cooling and the outer ports house a pair of oil
coolers. On the rear deck is the wing that debuted on the 2007 Exige
GT3 road car concept.
The wider wing is mounted higher and farther back, putting it in
cleaner air than before. Since there is no rearward visibility in the
Exige anyway, nothing has been lost to the wing, and the airfoil
generates the same downforce as before but with less drag. The only
significant mechanical change appears to be the new adjustable Ohlins
dampers with remote reservoirs that are part of the Track package. The
2010 models will be available this fall starting at $65,690.
PRESS RELEASE:
Introducing the New 2010 Lotus Exige S240
The exciting new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 enters the United States and
Canadian markets in the fall of 2009 with new front styling, a new
rear wing and the same rare combination of exceptional performance
and high efficiency.
The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well
earned reputation as the choice for drivers who demand uncompromised
performance, both on the road and on the track.
The 2010 Exige S240 introduces a few key enhancements to update the
appearance and improve aerodynamic performance.
A restyled front end and new larger, low drag rear wing, not only
reduces drag, but also gives a more muscular stance enhancing the
lightweight shrink-wrapped look of the whole car.
The restyled front end includes a larger, more angular air intake to
help funnel more air through the radiator to improve the efficiency
of the engine. Ahead of the front wheels, on either side of the
central aperture, two additional intakes feed airflow to the twin oil
coolers. Horizontal vanes bisect these oil cooler air-intakes to
stabilize the airflow and further increase the cooling efficiency.
Mounted below the three new air intakes, is a new aerodynamic splitter
for the 2010 Exige S240. Made from a lightweight composite, the
splitter is now extended to wrap around the whole front end and
chiseled side lips are raised to deflect air around the tires to
reduce drag.
The composite rear wing is based on the design from the Exige GT3 road
car concept shown at the Geneva Motorshow in 2007. Compared to the
2009 Lotus Exige's tailgate mounted wing it is 7.1 inches wider and
mounted 1.8 inches higher and 2.4 inches further back. The new rear
wing is mounted to the rear body-shell clam via end plates which not
only increases the stiffness of the whole structure but also ensures
that as much of the airflow as possible passes over the rear wing.
This careful airflow management increases stability, reduces drag
and, most importantly, maintains the impressive downforce figure of
93 pounds at 100 mph.
The light weight Exige S240 has one of the highest specific power
outputs of any globally emissions certified car at 133 hp per liter
and is a perfect demonstration of Colin Chapman's philosophy of
performance through light weight and of Lotus' relentless pursuit of
efficiency. The same technology that makes a light weight car a high
performer also makes it efficient. How many cars available on the
market today can rocket from 0 ￜ 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, continue on
up to a top speed of 150 mph and yet return an EPA rated 26 mpg in
highway driving?"
Like all Lotus cars, the functional components of the car are also
beautifully designed as Russell Carr, Chief of Lotus Design,
explains, "For 2010 we have taken the already visually extreme
Exige and given it even more visual drama. The changes we have
integrated to the front and rear of the Exige signal an even clearer
and purposeful intent. The functional rear wing is race-inspired, the
new angular air intakes and full width splitter give a more hard-edged
and aggressive look. Overall, the Exige appears more planted and gives
the illusion that both the front and rear of the car are wider than
they really are, yet without losing its agile and sleek
character."
Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering said, "The changes
we have made to the 2010 Exige are quite subtle when taken
individually, but taken as a complete package they make significant
improvements to aerodynamics and the overall look of the car. The
Exige is a classic fit-for-purpose performance machine. The design
tweaks we have made have reduced the drag by cleaning up the airflow
around the front and rear of the car while retaining the impressive
balanced downforce figures. The end result is an exciting high
performance driving experience."
The heart of Exige S 240
The roof integrated air intake scoop feeds air through the air-to-air
intercooled and supercharged 1.8 liter Lotus-tuned and Toyota-sourced
2ZZ-GE engine with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) to
provide 240hp at 8,000 rpm and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque at 5,500.
Weighing just 2,077 pounds, the Exige S240 sprints to 60 mph in a
blistering 4.1 seconds and the 100 mph barrier sails by in
approximately 10 seconds. Despite its supercar-like acceleration and
150 mph top speed, fuel economy is a rather un-supercar-like 20 mpg
city and 26 mpg highway thanks, in part, to the aluminum six-speed
manual gearbox and proprietary Lotus T4e Engine Control System which
includes variable rpm cam switching.
Lotus Launch Control and Lotus Traction Control:
Passing along lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing
program, Lotus Sport has contributed another important technology ￜ
variable launch control combined with variable traction control.
The launch control allows the driver to determine the number of revs
they wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that
limit, the driver then holds their foot down fully on the throttle
pedal and sidesteps the clutch pedal for a very quick departure from
the line. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch to
transmission engagement to minimize the stresses to the drivetrain.
The launch control also keeps wheel-spin at bay until 6 mph, after
which the traction control assumes its duties.
As with launch control, the driver can adjust the amount of traction
control desired from the driver's seat, altering it on the move to
suit the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of
traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from 0 to 7
percent tire slip, or completely off. The information center within
the instrument cluster displays what degree of traction control you
have currently dialled in.
Chassis, Suspension and Braking:
At the Exige's core is a revolutionary chassis comprised of extruded
and sheet aluminum and constructed with aerospace epoxy bonding
techniques, the first of its kind in the world. The chassis weighs a
mere 150 pounds, which enables the U.S. spec Exige to tip the scales
at an incredibly svelte 2,077 pounds including standard air
conditioning, ABS, power windows, dual airbags, audio system and
other amenities that make driving the Exige a pleasure. Despite
meeting Lotus founder Colin Chapman's mandate of extremely light
weight, the Exige's structure is tough enough to meet all U.S.
government crash standards. The suspension tuning and effectiveness
in any car is only as good as the 'bracket' it's all attached to. The
epoxy-bonded extruded and sheet aluminum chassis structure of the
Exige has high torsional rigidity providing a strong base that
enables very precise tuning of the dampers and springs to strike the
perfect balance between exceptional handling capabilities and grip
while still providing a comfortable ride.
The 2010 Exige S240 will continue to have a fully independent
suspension with unequal length wishbones, Eibach springs and one-way
adjustable Bilstein gas dampers along with an adjustable front
anti-roll bar to allow customers to tailor the handling
characteristics of the car to their own requirements.
New for 2010, the optional Track Package will include adjustable
Ohlins dampers with threaded spring perches and remote oil reservoirs
front and rear.
The brake system includes large diameter 308 mm cross-drilled and
ventilated front and 282 mm cross-drilled and ventilated rear discs
with AP Racing 4-piston front and Brembo single-piston rear calipers.
The Lotus track-tuned, servo-assisted, four-channel ABS system
enhances braking performance and minimizes stopping distance without
taking over from the skill of the driver.
The 2010 Exige S240 in more detail:
There are several other enhancements that make the Exige range more
sophisticated and a better value than ever before. As with the 2009
model year Exige range, driver and passenger airbags are standard on
all models and an on-board Tire Pressure Monitoring System is
standard in North American cars.
The instrument pack in the Exige contains so much more than just a
pair of stylishly back-lit dials. It also features a high-definition
LCD message panel that can display a scrolling text message with
vehicle systems information.
The instrument pack always displays the fuel gauge, engine temperature
and odometer, however you can select to display the time, trip
distance or a digital read-out of your speed in the opposite
calibration to that of your speedometer dial ￜ if your dial is in
mph, the readout is in km/h.
Warning symbols are 'hidden until lit', keeping the instrumentation
free from visual clutter and distraction until necessary and then
providing the warning information on a 'need to know' basis. Gear
change 'shift' lights similarly remain hidden until required. There
are three shift up lights, cumulatively lighting when the driver is
getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated,
they flash to indicate that you're almost on the rev limiter so it's
time to change up a gear!
A "key" issue
The Exige has a "Thatcham approved" alarm/immobiliser system
and the key incorporates the controls for the alarm/immobiliser and
central locking functions. This key features three buttons, the one
which locks the doors and sets the alarm/immobiliser is stylishly
crowned with the famous Lotus roundel. The second button unlocks the
doors and de-activates the alarm/immobiliser, and the final button is
a panic button to sound the alarm in case the driver needs to call
attention to the car for any reason.
The new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 is scheduled to launch in the US and
Canada in the Fall of 2009. Pricing for the 2010 Exige S240 will
remain consistent with the 2009 model year cars starting at $65,690
without destination charges.
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