Cutting the pounds!
If you want to feel old, then hear this: the Lotus Elise is turning 20 years old. Yes, that lightweight, mid-engined British coupe that you’ve always lusted after for its superb handling and dynamics is two decades old. But, there’s good news to offset that geriatric feeling you’re experiencing – the lightweight Lotus Exige S Club Racer is here to celebrate its sibling’s birthday!
The new Lotus Exige S Club Racer takes the already lightweight foundation of the Exige that includes an aluminum chassis tub, and aerodynamic composite bodywork and drops an additional 33 lbs. for a total weight of 2,960 lbs.
“Factoring the Club Racer ethos into the Exige enhances the track-focused potential of this important model. It encompasses our legendary benchmark in handling, with lightweight and efficient construction and that we will always put a peerless and pure driving experience first,” said Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc.
The Lotus Exige S Club Racer is only available as a coupe and generates 93 lbs. of downforce at 100 mph thanks to the matte black front splitter, rear spoiler wing, and flat underbody. Matte black also adorns the roof panel, front access panel, side mirrors, and rear transom to contrast the Exige Orange, Metallic White, or Metallic Yellow paint colors. Matte black is also available as an exterior paint option for those that want the sinister dark racer look. Special Exige S Club Racer emblems sit proudly above the side indicator lights.
The 33-pound drop in weight on the Lotus Exige S Club Racer comes from the use of a new lightweight battery, lightweight center console in body color, lighter doors, and lightweight sport seats in either leather or alcantara with contrasting colored stitching. Special Club Racer badges are also worn on the dashboard and seats.
Those Lotus driving dynamics that are admired by all are improved in the special model. The Drive, Sport, and Race settings have been tuned to allow for greater amounts of lost traction before the electronic systems intervene for greater control. The driver-selectable Sport and Race settings also gain greater throttle response.
The lightweight Lotus Exige S Club Racer utilizes the same mid-engined 3.5-liter supercharged V-6 spitting out 345 bhp and 295 lb-ft. of torque as the Exige S Coupe. This allows the Club Racer to accelerate to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds, flat and reach a top speed of 170 mph.
The new Lotus Exige S Club Racer is currently on sale for £56,900 and is available with options such as air conditioning, matte black exterior paint, CD/Radio and USB connection with NVH Pack, and lightweight two-piece brakes.
Source: Lotus
Is the Lotus Exige S Club Racer the best Exige yet?
