2010 Lotus Exige S released, Australian pricing announced

Lotus have unveiled its 2010 Exige S sporting a revised front end and wing package, improved fuel economy figures and reduced CO2 emissions.

The new 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.

“For 2010 we have taken the already extreme Exige and given it even more visual drama.,” explains Mr Russell Carr, Chief of Lotus Design.

“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.”

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.

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.

“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,” said Mr Jonathan Stretton, General Manager at Lotus Cars Australia.

“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?”

New fuel and emissions figures for the 2010 Exige S include:

• Combined cycle fuel economy returns of 8.5 litres per 100km
• Highway cycle fuel economy returns of 6.5 litres per 100km
• Low CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometre

Like all Lotus cars, the functional components of the car are also beautifully designed.

“Taken as a complete package the updates make significant improvements to aerodynamics and the overall look of the car,” says Mr Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering.

“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. Pricing starts at $114,990 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs.