2010 Exige S details (European)

[MickOpalak]

Straight from the Lotus press release at Geneva:

3 March 2009

The New Lotus Exige S - 2010 Model Year

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 – 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.”

The specification of the highly successful 2009 Model Year Exige Cup 260,
unveiled at the Paris Motorshow in 2008 remains unchanged.

The 2010 Exige in more detail:
Driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models while an on-board
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is standard in the USA.
The instrument pack in the Exige contains much more than just a pair of
stylishly back-lit dials. It also features a high-definition LCD message panel
that can display a scrolling text message with vehicle systems information.
The instrument pack always displays the fuel gauge, engine temperature and
odometer, however you can select to display the time, trip distance or a digital
read-out of your speed in the opposite calibration to that of your speedometer
dial – if your dial is in mph, the readout is in km/h.

Warning symbols are ‘secret until lit’, keeping the instrumentation free from
visual clutter and distraction until necessary. Gearchange ‘shift’ lights similarly
remain hidden until required. There are three shift up warning lights,
cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and
when all three are illuminated, they flash to indicate that you should have
changed up a gear by now!

A “key” issue
The Exige has a “Thatcham approved” alarm/immobiliser system and the
ignition key incorporates the controls for the alarm/immobiliser and central
locking functions. This key features three buttons, the one which locks the
doors and sets the alarm/immobiliser is stylishly crowned with the famous
Lotus roundel. The second button unlocks the doors and de-actives the
alarm/immobiliser, and the final button is a panic alarm button.

The contents of the Touring pack, for the Exige S 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 (in markets where legally allowed)
• Sound insulation kit
• Cup holder

The Exige S Sport pack includes:
• Bilstein sports dampers
• Traction control
• Adjustable front anti-roll bar
• T45 roll bar, with integrated harness mounts

The Exige S Performance Pack – more punch, more ability for Exige S
• 308 mm 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
• Uprated clutch plate and cover
• Uprated vehicle performance through enhanced power and torque delivery
• Launch control

With the Exige performance pack, the power is raised to 240 PS / 179 kW
(minimum) 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 170 lbft / 230 Nm /
23.5 kgm at 5,500 rpm from the standard 158.6 lbft / 215 Nm / 22 kgm at 5500
rpm, helps whisk the Performance Pack Exige S from zero to 60mph in 4.5
secs and 0-100km/h in 4.77 secs, and on to 100mph in 11.97 secs. Top speed
rises to 145 mph. The power and torque of the 240 PS 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 / 100 km and 199 g/km CO2 – reduced from 9.1 litres / 100 km
(combined) and 216 g/km CO2 for the 2009 Model Year Exige. Continuous
engineering improvements over the last year including careful whole vehicle
optimisation has enabled this sportscar to be even better for fuel economy and
emissions.

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.
Keen to pass on lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing
programme, Lotus Sport has contributed another important track specific
technology to the Performance Pack – launch control combined with variable
traction control.

From the driver’s seat the track orientated launch control allows you to
determine the engine revs you wish to use during a standing start on the track.
Having programmed that limit, it will not be exceeded when you then hold
down the throttle and sidestep the clutch at departure from the line. The clutch
damper cushions the severity of the clutch / transmission engagement to
minimise the stresses to the drivetrain (noting that continuous abusive
standing start applications will destroy the drivetrain components). The launch
control also keeps wheelspin at bay until 6 mph, after which the traction control
assumes its duties.

As with launch control, you can dial in the amount of traction control you
require from the driver’s seats, altering it on the move to suit driving style and
the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of traction control can be
varied in over 30 increments from an optimum 7 percent tyre slip to completely
off. The message display in the new instrument pack displays what degree of
traction control you have currently dialled in.
The beauty of all the packs is that they can be combined so a customer can
have the additional interior and exterior equipment from the Touring pack with
the sport focussed equipment from the Sport pack.
Air conditioning, Lotus traction control and limited slip differential are available
as stand-alone options.

Customers wanting to add further finishing touches to their Exige – such as
specifying adjustable dampers and forged wheels can do so by ordering from
an extensive range of accessories.

Colours
The Premium Colour Range has been designed to further enhance the choice
for customers to individualise their cars. Most of the paints in this range require
a more sophisticated application process and are from our paint supplier’s
premium range. The paint colours in this range have been individually priced,
and it is Lotus’ intention to extend and change this range at periodic intervals.
The 2010 Model Year Exige S will enter the EU markets in May 2009.
Exige S: 199 g/km CO2
8.5 litres/100 km (33.2 mpg) Combined Cycle
11.9 litres/100 km (23.7 mpg) Urban Cycle
6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle

* iPod is a trademark of Apple inc registered in the USA and other countries

Notes:
About Lotus
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating
divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised
automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in
Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany.
Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the
world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and
project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all
worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle'
engineering and manufacture worldwide.
Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries.
These include the iconic Lotus Elise, and the Exige and Europa. Lotus’ latest model, the Lotus
Evora, goes on sale from Spring 2009. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly
and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients,
spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.

For more information about Lotus please contact:
PR Department; Group Lotus plc,
Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, UK, NR14 8EZ
Tel: +44(0)1953 608264;
Email: pr@lotuscars.co.uk

[Jon]

Any photos?

[kestrel74]

Sounds interesting...........sounds $$$$ also tho.

[MattG]

Yuck. The front reminds me of a Porsche. The new rear wing looks like something a high school kid would put on his Integra.

Link to Photos:
Lotus Evora debuts | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

[EliseAtLeast]

Well, I guess that answers the question that there will be no next gen Elise/Exige for 2010 . Thanks for the post.

[MickOpalak]

I like it.

[MickOpalak]

Originally Posted by EliseAtLeast

Well, I guess that answers the question that there will be no next gen Elise/Exige for 2010 . Thanks for the post.

The next-gen (S3) will be years down the road. First, Lotus has to be very successful with the Evora. Next, Lotus has to develop and get the next Esprit out the door. Only then will they release the next-gen Elise/Exige.

[kestrel74]

Front end.......... rear spoiler:

[MickOpalak]

some more pix...

[MickOpalak]

a couple more...

[MickOpalak]

Originally Posted by MattG

Yuck. The new rear wing looks like something a high school kid would put on his Integra.

I believe its straight off of the Exige GT3 concept from a year or so ago.

[Likuid]

So you have to unscrew the wing to get at the engine bay from the rear?

[MattG]

I don't doubt the rear wing is functional, it IS a Lotus after all. I just much preferred the look of the original Exige wing. I think it's the design of the end plates that I'm not a fan of, that zig zag look. It doesn't match the design philosophy of, or the lines of, any other part of the car. Same for the revised front end. Why is there a crossbar in the middle of the oil cooler air scoops? None of the other scoops are bisected by a crossbar.

[Cegan09]

Not sold on the front end, but i like the wing

[zygotesoup]

[Cegan09]

not the best photoshop job, but an idea of what it would look like without the cross bars. I'm sure some people skilled in fiberglass could remove them.

[Rat27]

I think I've seen that front end before somewhere, hmm...

[NoFear99]

I think I like it better with your photoshop version without the cross bar to the front.

[LBC111]

Why the f@#k don't they use the GT3 design??? It's MUCH more refined and exotic looking.

[shay2nak]

i wants da splitter