Lotus Exige Scura limited edition unveiled

Lotus has unveiled its most menacing version of the Exige yet at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Translated as ‘dark’ from Italian, the aptly named Exige Scura boasts a dramatic matt black and carbon fibre theme reflecting the stealth character of this fierce Lotus.

Limited to just 35 cars worldwide, the Exige Scura features enhanced performance and a reduction in weight from the production level Exige S, delivering the ultimate in Lotus performance.

Contrasting high gloss stripes run the length of the car, while a carbon fibre front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side airscoops and rear spoiler enhance the stunning distinction of the Exige Scura.

Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars said, “The Exige Scura is a stunning vehicle which offers an adrenaline fuelled experience and is a real head-turner! Our Exige customers choose Lotus because we deliver thrilling performance and dynamic design and this special edition fits the bill on both counts.”

The dark theme continues in the cabin where carbon fibre has been used extensively to reduce weight, with the seats and centre console are crafted from carbon fibre and the handbrake and gear knob have a special anodized treatment which leaves the metal with an anthracite colour finish.

All carbon fibre components have been beautifully finished in high-gloss clear lacquer allowing the weave to remain exposed which gives the cabin a raw and racy ambiance, shedding 10kg overall.

The Exige Scura is still very much a track-focussed machine, equipped with the most powerful engine in the Exige range, developing 191kW at 8000rpm and peak torque of 236Nm at 6000rpm.

It will reach 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds from a standstill and on to 160km/h after 9.9 seconds where its ground effects package generates 42kg of downforce to increase grip and improve stability up until its top speed of 245km/h.

Despite its performance, the official fuel consumption figure from the 1.8-litre supercharged and intercooled engine is just 8.5 l/100km and the CO2 emissions 199 g/km.

Roger Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director, highlighted the performance of the Exige Scura, “There are very few cars in the world that turn in the performance of the Exige Scura without the penalty of very high fuel consumption and emissions. As with all Lotus sportscars we offer the best of both worlds – a zero to 100 km/h time of just over 4 seconds and a CO2 figure of 199 g/km; all this is down to light weight and a strict adherence to Lotus’ core brand values.”

Handling is assured by the Lotus badge alone, but just to be sure the Exige Scura borrows the suspension components from the Exige Cup 260 , including the lightweight flywheel and lightweight supercharger pipework. Coupled with Ohlins 2 way adjustable dampers and Eibach Springs with variable height spring platforms, unique matt black lightweight forged wheels and super sticky Yokohama A048 LTS tyres.

Orders for the ‘Lotus Exige Scura’ will be accepted from 21 October 2009 in Europe, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia.