[AshSimmonds]

The 79th International Geneva Motor Show sees the introduction of the exciting new 2010 Model Year Lotus Exige S with a newly designed front end, a new rear wing and impressive emissions of just 199 g/km CO2.

The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well earned reputation of choice for drivers who demand uncompromised performance, both on the road and on the track.

Lotus has always pursued efficiency and fuel economy and for the 2010 Model Year Lotus Exige S, Lotus has reduced the emissions to only 199 g/km CO2 and increased the fuel economy to an impressive 8.5 litres/100 km on the Official European Combined Cycle and a frugal 6.5 litres/100 km on the Official European Extra Urban Cycle.

The 2010 Model Year also sees the introduction of a few key changes to the Exige to enhance the look and improve aerodynamic performance. A restyled front end and new larger, rear wing that not only reduces drag, but also gives a more muscular stance enhancing the lightweight shrink-wrapped look of the whole car.

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 Model Year Exige tailgate mounted wing it is 181 mm wider and mounted 46 mm higher and 61 mm further back. It is attached to the rear bodyshell clam via rear 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 figures of 42 kg at 160 km/h.

The restyled front end includes a larger, more angular air intake mouth to help funnel more air through the radiator, to improve the efficiency of the engine system. Ahead of the front wheels on either side of the main aperture, two larger air intakes increase the airflow to the twin oil coolers. Horizontal vanes bisect these oil cooler air-intakes to stabilise the airflow to further increase the cooling efficiency.

Since the Exige S2 was launched in 2004, the power has increased from 190 hp through 220 hp to 240 hp in standard road form to more for the track centric Exige Cup 260 - and the new larger air intakes improve engine cooling for these current higher powered Exige variants.

Mounted below the three new air intakes is a new aerodynamic splitter for the 2010 Model Year Exige. Made from a lightweight composite, the splitter is now extended to wrap around the whole of the front end and chiseled side lips are raised to deflect air around the tyres to reduce drag.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus plc said, Over the years, the Lotus Exige has developed a hardcore fan base around the world and its popularity has placed it as one of the legendary sportscars of the 21st century. So far, over 5000 Exiges have been hand-built at our high-tech manufacturing facility making it a significant contributor to our global production. The lightweight Exige has one of the highest specific power outputs of any globally emissions certified car and 133 hp per litre 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 lightweight car a high performer also makes it efficient how many cars have performance figures of 0 - 100 km/h in 4.77 secs but produce only 199 g/km CO2?

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 into the front and rear of the Exige signal an even clearer and purposeful intent. The purposeful rear wing is race inspired, the new angular air intakes and full width splitter gives 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 without losing its agile and lithe character.

Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering said, "The changes we have made to the Exige for 2010 Model Year 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, cleaned up the airflow around the front and rear of the car, whilst retaining the impressive balanced downforce figures, to give an exciting high performance drive."

Lotus uncovered the new Lotus Exige S, a facelift for the 2010 model year. The car was put on display at the Geneva Motor Show this week.

A redesign is not all in store for the Exige S. The company claims emissions have been reduced to 199 grams of CO2 per km, with a combined fuel economy increase of 8.5 liters per 100 km, or roughly 28 mpg. Fuel economy is even better when calculated using the "Official European Extra Urban Cycle," which rates the car at 6.5L/100km, or about 36 mpg.

Looks are improved with a redesigned front end, and a larger, drag-reducing rear wing. In front, you will see a larger center air intake that delivers to the radiator, and two larger side air intakes under the headlights to feed the twin oil coolers. Lotus has also brought out a new light composite splitter to make the car more aerodynamic. In back, you may recognize the wing from the Lotus Exige GT3 concept shown two years ago at Geneva. With the wing and its rear-end plate mount, the car gets about 42 kg of downforce at 160 km/h.

As Group Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley points out, the 240 hp car's aerodynamic improvements lead to more efficiency. "The same technology that makes a lightweight car a high performer also makes it efficient - how many cars have performance figures of 0 - 100 km/h in 4.77 secs but produce only 199 g/km CO2?" he said in a press release.

Lotus has an available instrument package for the car, which includes a hi-def LCD screen that displays systems information for the driver. Shift lights are still present, as are dual front airbags. U.S. purchasers also get a tire pressure monitoring system as standard. A touring package, with full leather interior, iPod connection, and auxiliary lights is available. So to is the sport package, with Bilstein dampers, traction control, and adjustable rollbar. The performance pack brings better brakes, a big roof scoop, and better performance. This last package brings the car up to nearly 240 hp.

The 2010 Lotus Exige S will be available in Europe beginning this May.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090303.050/new-lotus-exige-s-facelift-my-2010-revealed-in-geneva

[dkabab]

WOW! Love it. New front bumper looks a bit Porsche inspired, and it looks great. Spoiler looks pretty good too!

[PA]

 

[AshSimmonds]

Media release: http://www.lotuscars.com.au/news.php?NewsId=37

     
THE NEW LOTUS EXIGE S - MODEL YEAR 2010

New look for the new decade, Lotus Exige S is lean and green.

    * Aggressive new GT3 styling, reduced aero drag
    * Improved fuel economy to 8.5l/100km
    * Down to 199g/km CO2
    * Australian pricing unchanged

Lotus looks into the new decade for the Exige S with a newly designed front end and wing package, improved fuel economy and impressive emissions of just 199g/km of CO2.

The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe with a well-deserved reputation for uncompromised performance, both on the road and the track.

Lotus has always pursued efficiency and fuel economy and for the 2010 model year Lotus Exige S, Lotus has reduced the emissions to only 199g/km CO2, combined with improved fuel economy, to an impressive 8.5 litres/100km (combined cycle) and a frugal 6.5 litres/100km on the highway cycle.

The 2010 Lotus Exige S also sees the introduction of a few key changes to enhance the look and improve aerodynamic performance. A restyled front end and new larger, rear wing that not only reduces drag, but also gives a more muscular stance enhancing the lightweight shrink-wrapped look of the whole car.

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 Exige tailgate-mounted wing, it is 181mm wider, mounted 46mm higher and 61mm further back. It is attached to the rear bodyshell clam via rear end plates, which not only increase the stiffness of the whole structure; it ensures maximum airflow over the rear wing. This careful airflow management increases stability, reduces drag and, most importantly, maintains the impressive downforce figures of 42kg at 160km/h.

The restyled front end includes a larger, more angular air intake mouth to help funnel more air through the radiator, to improve the efficiency of the engine system. On either side of the main aperture, two larger air intakes increase the airflow to the twin oil coolers, with bisecting horizontal vanes to stabilise the airflow for ultimate cooling efficiency.

Since the Exige S2 was launched in 2004, power has increased from 141kW to 163kW, up to 179kW in Sport 240 and optional Performance Pack guises, peaking at 192kW in the track-centric Exige Cup 260 form, and the new larger air intakes improve engine cooling for these current high-powered Exige variants.

Mounted below the three new air intakes is a new aerodynamic splitter. Made from a lightweight composite, the splitter is now extended to wrap around the whole of the front end and chiseled side lips are raised to deflect air around the tyres to reduce drag.

Jonathan Stretton, General Manager at Lotus Cars Australia said: “Over the years, the Lotus Exige has developed a hardcore fan base around the world and its popularity has placed it as one of the legendary sports cars of the 21st century.

“So far, over 5000 Exiges have been hand-built at our high-tech manufacturing facility making it a significant contributor to our global production. The lightweight Exige has one of the highest specific power outputs of any globally emissions certified car and 107kW/litre 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 lightweight car a high performer also makes it efficient – how many cars have performance figures of 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds but produce only 199g/km CO2?”

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 extreme Exige and given it even more visual drama. The changes we have integrated into the front and rear of the Exige signal an even clearer and purposeful intent. The new rear wing is race inspired, the new angular air intakes and full width splitter gives 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 without losing its agile and lithe character.”

Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering said: “Taken as a complete package the updates 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, cleaned up the airflow around the front and rear of the car, whilst retaining the impressive balanced downforce figures, to give an exciting high performance drive.”

The 2010 Exige S is available to order now through the Lotus Cars Australia dealer network. Prices remain unchanged, starting from $114,990 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs.

The 2010 Exige in detail
Driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models.

The instrument pack in the Exige contains two main stylishly backlit dials, in addition to a high-definition LCD message panel that can display a scrolling text message with vehicle systems information.

The instrument pack always displays the fuel level, engine temperature and odometer, however it can also display time, trip distance or a digital speed in the opposite calibration of the speedometer, in km/h or mph.

Warning symbols are ‘secret until lit’, keeping the instrumentation free from visual clutter and distraction until necessary. Gear change shift lights similarly remain hidden until required, with three sequential red lights, flashing simultaneously just before the rev limiter.

The 2010 Exige continues with the unified key and alarm/immobiliser system with central locking, with the famous Lotus roundel. The key features separate locking/unlocking buttons and a third for a panic alarm.

The Exige S optional Touring Pack includes:

    * Full leather or Microfibre suede-effect interior
    * Leather trimmed centre console
    * Leather handbrake gaiter
    * Sound system iPod* connection
    * Full carpets, with embroidered logo
    * Auxiliary driving lights
    * Noise insulation paneling
    * Aluminium retractable Cup holder

The Exige S optional Sport Pack includes:

    * Bilstein sports dampers
    * Lotus switchable traction control system
    * Adjustable front anti-roll bar
    * T45 roll bar, with integrated harness mounts
    * ProBax Sports seats

The Exige S optional Performance Pack includes:

    * 308mm front cross-drilled and vented discs with AP Racing four piston callipers
    * Uprated front and rear brake pads
    * Full-length upsized roof scoop
    * Variable slip traction control and launch control system
    * Uprated clutch plate and cover
    * Uprated vehicle performance through enhanced power and torque delivery

With the Exige Performance Pack, the power is raised to 179kW at 8000 rpm courtesy of a Magnuson/Eaton M62 supercharger, new faster flowing injectors and higher torque clutch system and an upsized roof scoop to feed more air to the supercharger intercooler system. This hike in power, together with an increase in torque to 230Nm at 5500rpm from the standard 215Nm at 5500rpm, helps whisk the Performance Pack Exige S from 0-100km/h in 4.77 seconds, and on to 160km/h in 11.97 seconds. Top speed rises to 232km/h.

The power and torque of the 179kW engine is increased across the rev range giving even more flexibility. Despite these high levels of performance the fuel economy is impressive with a new combined figure of 8.5 litres per 100km and 199g/km CO2 – reduced from 9.1l/100km and 216 g/km CO2 for the 2009 Model Year Exige.

Of course the increased power and straight-line performance are only a couple of elements of the Performance Pack option. The clutch is uprated and a clutch damper fitted; there are thicker, 308mm diameter cross-drilled and vented discs at the front clamped by AP Racing four-piston callipers; the standard brake pads are replaced by uprated pads.

The Performance Pack also includes the Exige GT3-race developed launch control with variable traction control. From the driver’s seat, the system allows the selection of revs for the optimum standing start in all road conditions. A clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch/transmission engagement to minimise stresses to the drivetrain.

Above 10km/h, the launch control hands over duties to the traction control system, which can dial in the amount of rear-tyre slip retardation required.

The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from an optimum seven-percent slip to completely off, indicated by a reading on the dash.

The beauty of all the packs is that they can be combined so a customer can select the additional interior and exterior equipment from the Touring pack with the sport-focused equipment from the Sport pack.

A torque-sensing limited slip differential is available as stand-alone options, along with options such as Bilstein one-way and height-adjustable adjustable dampers and lightweight forged alloy wheels.

* iPod is a trademark of Apple inc.

For further Lotus information contact:
Lotus Cars Australia
Tel: (02) 8707 2799
pr@lotuscars.com.au