Autoblog

Lotus offers Exige S Roadster for sale, but not in North America

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Lotus

The first thing you need to know is that this is the Lotus Exige S Roadster, unchanged from the Exige S even in price and officially the fastest convertible Lotus has ever made. The second thing you need to know is that if you live in the US, you won't be getting this car.

Now that that's out of the way, the lack of a roof, rear wing and front splitter help make it 22 pounds lighter than the coupe, coming in a 2,565 pounds, and the supercharged 3.5-liter V6 in this topless blossom discharges 345 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. For historical comparison with a non-convertible, those numbers nearly match the 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 Final Run edition - which had twin Garrett turbochargers. Yet the Exige S gets from a stoplight to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds, nearly a full second quicker than that Esprit. Fair play, though, the Esprit did weigh 3,040 pounds.

It will be fitted with a six-speed manual only, and cost 52,900 pounds ($79,667 US), 55,378 euros ($71,404 US) or 8,500,000 yen ($82,078 US), depending on where you live. Here in the US we'll be sticking with the track-only Exige V6 Cup and Cup R models. The press release below offers more on the fine points.

Continue reading Lotus offers Exige S Roadster for sale, but not in North America

Lotus offers Exige S Roadster for sale, but not in North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Exige S Roadster coming this summer to a circuit near you

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:14:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Lotus

We haven't heard much about the Lotus Exige S Roadster since we first saw it at the Geneva Motor Show last year, but Lotus is now confirming the car will go on sale this summer. Of course, unless anything has changed since the car was introduced, Lotus' "ultimate roadster" will still not be coming to the US.

Lotus has released a new video showing its 345-horsepower roadster in action, and while it doesn't even show that much of the car, you can check out our live images of the Exige S Roadster in our gallery. The video, which looks like a knockoff of a Universal Studios movie trailer, is posted below.

Continue reading Lotus Exige S Roadster coming this summer to a circuit near you

Lotus Exige S Roadster coming this summer to a circuit near you originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Elise, Exige recalled over oil line fire risk

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Recalls, Safety, Lotus

Lotus is recalling 451 examples of the Elise and Exige from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The cars in question, built from December 1, 2006 to October 31, 2007 could be affected by an oil cooler line that detaches from its fitting. If the line comes loose it could release oil onto the engine and possibly start a fire, or onto a tire and potentially cause a crash.

A bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates the recall is expected to begin on March 4. Notified owners can take their cars to their dealers for repairs to the lateral oil cooler hose and hose fittings. You'll find the full release from the NHTSA below with more information.

Continue reading Lotus Elise, Exige recalled over oil line fire risk

Lotus Elise, Exige recalled over oil line fire risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R

Zach Bowman — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, UK, Racing

Lotus has pulled off the wraps on two new versions of the Exige: the V6 Cup and the V6 Cup R. Based on the Exige S, the V6 Cup is built to be a dual-purpose street and track machine. The 0-60 dash should take just under 3.8 seconds thanks to a full 345 horsepower from a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. Weighing in at 2,380 pounds, the V6 Cup should be an absolute riot to drive, and with a full FIA-approved roll cage, fire extinguisher and six-point race harnesses on board, it's plenty safe, too. Two-way adjustable dampers are standard, as are AP Racing four-piston calipers on all four corners. More importantly, drivers can expect to find the Lotus Dynamic Performance Management system in the cockpit, complete with Touring, Sport and DPM Off modes.

The V6 Cup R, meanwhile, is both lighter and offers more horsepower than the standard V6 Cup. The same blown V6 dishes out 366 horsepower in R trim, and the whole contraption tips the scales at 2,292 pounds. Of course, the same spate of race hardware is stock, minus the DPM system. A lightweight battery, track-spec tow loops and quick-release engine cover help separate the Cup R from its more civil sibling, as do performance brake pads and better oil and water cooling systems.

Check out the brief press release below for more information. Both of the new models are headed for a debut at the 2013 Autosport International Show.

Continue reading Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R

Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus announces Exige V6 Cup racer

George Kennedy — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, UK, Racing

The Lotus Exige is once of the most focused race cars that you can purchase on the market today, but for those individuals who desire to track the mid-engined racer, Lotus has released its latest no-frills, all-go racecar: the Exige V6 Cup.

The Exige Cup features a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 making 346 horsepower, enabling the 2,380-pound race car to get from zero to 62 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Power is put to the road with the help of Lotus Dynamic Performance Management, which allows for Touring, Sport and Race settings for the engine.

The Exige V6 Cup also features revised aerodynamics in the front fascia and rear diffuser, and it rides on a fully adjustable suspension that reaches the road with special wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo tires.

The race-prepped gear found on the Exige V6 Cup also includes a roll cage, HANS-compatible seats with four-or-six-point safety harnesses, kill switch, FIA-approved fire extinguisher, tow points and a removable steering wheel.

There is a Track Day version, which carries a VAT-inclusive price of £62,995 ($98,855), and a hard-nosed Competition-Spec variant, with a price of £74,995 ($117,686). The first cars will roll out of Lotus' Hethel facility in December of this year, and only 20 examples are scheduled to be built. In addition to the car essentially being ready for various track day events, the race-read Exige is intended for the various Lotus Cup series throughout the world. The U.S. version will be on display at this weekend's Lotus Festival at Brands Hatch.

Continue reading Lotus announces Exige V6 Cup racer

Lotus announces Exige V6 Cup racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus scrapes together enough money to restore production

Dan Roth — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Lotus, Earnings/Financials, UK

"The past four months have been really tough for us," admits Lotus CEO Dany Bahar to Autocar magazine. "We were working at a pace nobody had seen at Lotus for many years," Bahar continued, alluding to the British sports car maker's planned rollout of four models over five years that recently had recently hit the skids thanks to a 60-day financial freeze at Malaysian parent DRB-Hicom. "The shut-down, as I call it," Bahar continued, "was very hard for us," but the Lotus boss forcefully rejects media reports that his company is being shopped to potential buyers.

Production at Hethel is reportedly swinging back into action within the next few days now that DRB-Hicom has slid money across the table to re-start Elise, Exige and Evora production. Lotus will also reportedly continue to develop the new Esprit and its V8 engine and automated transmission. Bahar went on to dispute reports that KPMG was looking for a buyer to take on Lotus, though there are likely to be management shuffles and continuing developments between Lotus, DRB-Hicom, Youngman, and who know what other parties, as the re-start doesn't completely short-circuit the rumors of a possible sale.

In fact, resuming production could potentially even position Lotus more attractively for a potential suitor, rather than putting a shuttered, down-at-the-mouth boutique carmaker on the block.

Lotus scrapes together enough money to restore production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus model development on lockdown as company looks to change hands

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Lotus, Earnings/Financials, UK, Luxury

Lotus has put a halt to all development of future models. The news comes after the Malaysian government sold its controlling stake in Lotus parent company Proton. According to EVO, the company's takeover regulations require all involved parties to enter into a "lockdown" wherein anything outside of normal business is brought to a halt. For Lotus, that means stalling development for 60 days and pushing back launch dates for vehicles like the Exige S, Evora GTE and the upcoming Esprit successor. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar is currently engaged in talks with DRB-Hicom, Proton's new owner, in an attempt to ensure the industrial conglomerate holds onto the sports car maker.

Odds are we won't know what the future has in store for Lotus until after the due diligence period comes to a close. In the mean time, Lotus will continue to build and sell cars as well as engage motorsports efforts. It will also be the featured marque at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Lotus model development on lockdown as company looks to change hands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus pops the top on Exige S Roadster

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus

With the Elise slowly shuffling off this mortal coil, Lotus needs another slinky soft-top to fill out its lineup. In the run-up to the Geneva Motor Show, we assumed that would be a convertible version of the Evora, but we were wrong. This is the Lotus Exige S Convertible, which begs the question: What took 'em so long?

The only thing that separates the two models is ripping off the fixed roof on the Exige and replacing it with a removable cloth top or optional hard top. The same supercharged 3.5-liter V6 is mounted amidships, outputting 345 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Mated to the standard six-speed manual, 60 miles per hour comes and goes in 3.8 seconds, but Lotus will also offer the Roadster with its new Serial Precision Shift (SPS) automated manual gearbox, complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Sales are expected to begin throughout Europe later this year, but with the Elise and Exige twins already gone from the U.S., don't look for the Roadster to hit Stateside Lotus dealers anytime soon.

Lotus pops the top on Exige S Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Exige to get V6 power, Esprit gets optional hybrid

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Lotus, UK, Luxury

Autocar has the skinny on the next-generation Lotus Exige and Esprit. Dany Bahar, Group Lotus chief executive, dropped a few details on both models while speaking to the publication about the renewal of his contract with the sports car maker.

Bahar has signed on with Lotus for another four years, which means he'll be around to see the launch of the 2013 Esprit. The vehicle is crucial to Bahar's five-year plan for Lotus and should give the company a legitimate halo vehicle when it goes on sale. Motor Authority reports the vehicle will be available as a hybrid that uses an in-house V8 engine paired with an electric motor.

Meanwhile, additional Esprit models will provide no-compromise performance. Speaking of performance, word has it Lotus will work up its own V6 engine in the near future for use in the company's next-generation Exige. Currently, Lotus relies on Toyota to supply its powerplants.

Bahar has also made it clear that Lotus will expand its motorsport endeavors in the near future as part of his quest to make Lotus a British version of Porsche. We certainly can't complain about that.

Lotus Exige to get V6 power, Esprit gets optional hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The art of threading the needle, as demonstrated by a Lotus Exige

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Lotus, Mazda, Australia

Professional racing drivers are a different breed than the rest of us mere mortals. While fear - of dying, of killing or of simply making a fool of yourself - keeps most men and women from pressing their automobiles to the very limits of their capabilities, some people choose instead to embrace the fear, turn it into adrenaline and hit the track.

That includes Barton Mawer, who was chasing down a Lamborghini Gallardo for the overall lead in his Lotus Exige during Australia's Island Magic Enduro 2011 race at Phillip Island. Only one problem: in his path were a pair of slower cars; a Porsche Boxster and the Mazda MX-5 of Team Chapman Racing.

What happened next is the things dreams are made of... or nightmares, depending on which seat you're in.

See for yourself, from both points of view, in the videos pasted after the break.

Continue reading The art of threading the needle, as demonstrated by a Lotus Exige

The art of threading the needle, as demonstrated by a Lotus Exige originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Lotus Exige S squares off for The Duel

Zach Bowman — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Lotus, UK

Lotus has rolled out a new trailer for the company's Exige S. Those who are easily tired by flashy cuts and metaphor may want to skip this one, as it pits the supercharged V6 hellion against a boxer. No, not a Porsche or Subaru boxer engine. An actual boxer, as in, a pugilist.

Our brows may be a bit too low to understand the concept at work here, but we appreciate a good advertisement when we see one. With plenty of tire smoke, lots of doughnuts and dramatic shots of the black body work on the Exige S, the clip hits all the right notes.

The Lotus Exige S packs 346 horsepower in a 2,380-pound track-bred package. The supercharged 3.5-liter V6 mounted mid-ship delivers 295 pound-feet of torque. Given that the old Exige S could clip off 0-60 mph runs in the 4.1 second range, we wouldn't be surprised to hear that the 2012 model can do the deed in the high three-second range. Hit the jump to take a look at the video.

Continue reading 2012 Lotus Exige S squares off for The Duel

2012 Lotus Exige S squares off for The Duel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Exige R-GT looks Group B fantastic for the modern era

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Motorsports, Lotus, Racing

Lotus has continually stated that it has big plans for the future. One of those being a return to the rallying world, and it will do just that with the all-new Lotus Exige R-GT. Sitting on the Frankfurt floor, the R-GT evokes visions of classic rally cars while also providing a showcase of Lotus' current and future styling.

The car will compete in the FIA R-GT class, and it tips the scales at 2,646 pounds. Some of that weight comes in the form of class-mandated underside and side protection for driver and passenger, as well as the steel rollcage.

The Exige R-GT is powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine, which produces 302 horsepower. That energy is routed to the wheels through a six-speed sequential transmission. The engine is the same as the one found in the standard Exige, however 34-millimeter air restrictors have been put in place to control the power, as is required by the FIA rulebook for R-GT racing.

Lotus will first offer the Exige R-GT to motorsports customers rather than dive into rallying with its own factory team. Either way, we're happy to see the Lotus name once again applied to a rally race car. Feel free to read the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Lotus Exige R-GT looks Group B fantastic for the modern era

Lotus Exige R-GT looks Group B fantastic for the modern era originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus teaser for Frankfurt. What the F... indeed.

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Etc., Videos, Lotus

Lotus is getting ready to put on a show in Frankfurt, and the automaker has released a teaser video to provide some insight into its auto show plans. Apparently Lotus has hired a David Lynch wannabe to direct it's latest video, because we're not exactly sure what's going on here. We don't even know if Lotus knows what's happening in the video.

We do know that the video shows a boxer preparing for a match with a car. The vehicle in question appears to be either a new Elise, the next-generation Exige or even the Evora GTE Road Car. It's hard to tell from the clip, which you can watch for yourself after the jump.

We've watched it now a few times now, and we're still a bit confused. It's clear that Lotus is ready for a fight, however, and we're excited to see what it has in store for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Continue reading Lotus teaser for Frankfurt. What the F... indeed.

Lotus teaser for Frankfurt. What the F... indeed. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-gen Lotus Exige comes into focus

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Lotus, UK, Luxury

It looks like the next-generation Lotus Exige will borrow a few styling elements from the Evora. Our army of spy photographers managed to snap a closer look at the upcoming Exige successor, and the car boasts a low, wide nose borrowed from its V6 sister. In addition, the canyon-carver wears a longer roof line and extended rear that may house the same 280 horsepower six-pot found in the grand tourer, though a 350 horsepower supercharged S variant may be in the works as well. Larger brakes are clearly visible through the spoke wheels and that massive spoiler likely helps generate some much-needed downforce at speed.

When can we expect to lay eyes on a non-camouflaged version of the Exige? Hard telling, but our guess is that it won't be long before dealers start filling out order forms.

Next-gen Lotus Exige comes into focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition makes stealthy debut

Drew Phillips — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

Another day in Monterey, another debut from Lotus. Yesterday evening, the British sports car maker unveiled the stunning Evora GTE Road Car Concept, and earlier today pulled the wraps off the Exige Matte Black Final Edition, a special model reserved exclusively for the North American market.

This isn't the first time that Lotus has introduced a market-specific Exige with a sinister paint scheme. Back in 2009, the company released the Exige Stealth for Japanese buyers and Exige Scura for European customers. While those cars had track-ready features like launch control and variable-slip traction control, the U.S. version is mostly an appearance package with the addition of black Alcantara seats and a slightly upgraded motor on top of the matte finish. Lotus collectors might be interested in the exclusiveness of the car, though, with just 25 slated for production.

You can view our live photos of the Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition in the high-res gallery above.

Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition makes stealthy debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus presenting Evora GTE concept and matte black Exige in Monterey

Noah Joseph — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Lotus, Misc. Auto Shows

Monterey weekend is almost upon us, boys and girls. The event at Pebble Beach is consistently packed year-in, year-out with mouthwatering classics, record-breaking auctions, historic automobile races and even a few new vehicle debuts. And this year, Lotus has some big plans.

No, it's not about to unveil six new concepts at once like it did at the Paris Motor Show last year, but it does have a couple of tricks up its proverbial sleeve. First up is the Evora GTE road car concept we've been anticipating since last month, which looks poised to take a page out of the less weight, more power playbook employed on such favorites as the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. The concept starts with the Evora GTE race car and retunes it for the road, with 420 horsepower on tap, a competition-spec sequential gearbox and center-locking forged aluminum wheels.

If you're looking for something more tangible than a concept car, though, Lotus will also be unveiling the Exige Matte Black Final Edition. Exclusive to North America, the special Exige, as you might have guessed, bids a fond farewell to the lightweight sports car with a matte black paint job, plus black Alcantara interior and a 257 horsepower upgrade. Only 25 individually numbered examples will be made, and you can follow the jump for the full press release on both these new debuts.

Continue reading Lotus presenting Evora GTE concept and matte black Exige in Monterey

Lotus presenting Evora GTE concept and matte black Exige in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Lotus Exige dons zebra stripes but can't hide

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Lotus

Rain doesn't stop your local postal worker, and it clearly won't stop spy photographers. Ignoring the weather, our long-lens workers caught Lotus engineers testing the next generation Exige in the wet. To better blend in with the larger Evora, this Exige prototype wears a redesigned nose akin to its slightly more refined sibling. The car also appears longer thanks to the reworked tail.

Rumor has it that the next Exige will be offered with the same choice of powerplants as the Evora. That means a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 for the standard car, and a 350-horsepower supercharged mill for the S variant. Excellent.

We don't doubt that our spies will be sticking around to see if the camo comes off, so stay tuned for more.

Next Lotus Exige dons zebra stripes but can't hide originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus planning Exige-based rally car for Frankfurt

Noah Joseph — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, Racing

Lotus Exige Cup 260 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The ambition in the Hethel offices of Lotus appears to know no bounds, its road car program rivaled only by its expanding racing operations.

The British automaker already participates, in one manner or another, in Formula 1, IndyCar, GP3 and GT racing. The company is also said to be working on a new LMP2 program to challenge for the second-tier Le Mans category. But before that comes around, reports indicate that Lotus is working on an in-house rally project.

Rather than compete in the top-tier WRC or IRC classes, reports suggest that a production-based Exige is in the works for privateer entries, presumably for tarmac rallies, set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Despite the fact that the Exige has gone out of production, it remains a popular choice among privateers who have Lotus road cars converted to rally specifications by independent outfitters, a slice of whose pie Lotus apparently is keen to take.

The growing motorsport division at Lotus is headed by one Claudio Berro, who followed CEO Dany Behar over from Ferrari, where he was once the F1 team's manager. And, like his former boss Jean Todt, Berro comes from a background as a rally co-pilot, navigating a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus through the Group 2 Italian Rally Championship in the early '80s.

Lotus planning Exige-based rally car for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus ending production of NA-spec Elise/Exige in August

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Lotus

2011 Lotus Elise - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus tells Autoblog that production of its North American-spec Elise and Exige models will cease in August.

The lightweight track terror put the English automaker back on the map in the States in 2004, but a federal exemption for a lack of "smart" airbags on the sports cars is about to run out. The waiver ends this year, and combined with Toyota ceasing production of its 2ZZ four-cylinder, NA-bound Lotuses have been a dealt a one-two death blow.

Company officials tell us that production for the UK and the rest of Europe will continue with the new 1.6-liter four pot until the next Elise arrives in 2015. Considering the automaker's penchant for limited edition models, we'd expect at least one or two more market-specific versions to roll out of Hethel before the taps are officially turned off.

Lotus ending production of NA-spec Elise/Exige in August originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lotus to phase out Toyota-powered Elise and Exige with special Final Editions

Aaron Richardson — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:22:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Lotus, Specialty

2009 Lotus Exige S260 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus's supply of Toyota 2ZZ-GE engines has finally run out, meaning production of the company's highly popular Exige and Elise will come to an abrupt halt in July. To commemorate its track-day superstars' success, Lotus will send the cars off with an extremely limited number of Final Editions. With Lotus up to its axles in financial uncertainty, this may represent your last chance to get your hands on a new Lotus Elise or Exige.

There are two trim levels planned for the Exige's parting-shot model. Lotus says it will build 30 examples of the Exige S260 Final Edition for North America, with Lotus' Track Pack, Tour Pack and LSD as standard. If that's not special enough for you, Lotus is offering 25 customers the chance to have their S260 painted matte black. Price for the "standard" S260 is $67,500, with the matte-black version ringing the register at $69,900.

American and Canadian fans of the Elise have fewer options, with only 15 examples of the 2011 Lotus Elise SC Final Edition planned. Lotus says the car will get the buyer's choice of four color schemes based on the Europe-only Elise Club Racer. To sweeten the deal, the Elise SC Final Edition will come loaded to the gunnels with options. Price for the last Elise is $57,500. If you're hoping to get your hands on a Final Edition, get in line now.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Lotus Exige S 260

Gallery: Geneva 2010: 2011 Lotus Elise

[Source: GGLotus]

Report: Lotus to phase out Toyota-powered Elise and Exige with special Final Editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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