The only driver to even come close was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso who started from fourth place and, like his team-mate Felipe Massa, made a terrific start. Alonso had a fight with the Red Bull of Mark Webber who, despite starting from the front row, eventually lost out to the Spaniard who finished the race second, more than 10 seconds behind Vettel.
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Bahar revealed that development of the the new Esprit is already under way, with prototypes up and running.
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Mercedes Petronas GP will randomly select two winners from those who will enter an online competition. The window of opportunity opens today, Monday 20 June, and will close at midnight on Thursday 23 June.
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This assumes (prophetically?) that Britain will not be making any more sports cars in the future, whereas, “Best British Sports Car So Far” would be a far more accurate description. But enough with semantics: who are our lucky finalists? Read on….
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It's that time of the year again when automakers commence the release of car-related paraphernalia. Lotus Design delivers another of its limited edition calendars with 15 pages of development sketches, scale model photographs and digital visualizations from the Design teams' most recent projects including exclusive images and renderings of the brand new Lotus Evora. If you happen to like it, the large format calendar (42cm x 42cm) is available for order from the British firm's website for £8.50.
Along with the classic Aston Martin DB5 that starred in the 1964 film Goldfinger with Sean Connery as the fictional Mi6 agent, the Lotus Esprit driven by Roger Moore in the 1977 "The Spy Who Loved Me" is one of the most recognizable 007 cars of all times. And now Bond fans have the chance to park the white 1976 Esprit in their garage as the car will go under hummer on 1 December at Bonhams annual auction in West London. The Esprit that turned into an amphibious vehicle in the movie (and not in real life of course) is expected to fetch between £100,000 - £120,000 or to put that in U.S. dollars, $149,00 to $178,300 with the current exchange rates.Via: Jalopnik
It’s a cruel business world out there and it’s even nastier if you’re as small as Lotus and Spyker. With that in mind, it comes to no surprise that that the two niche sports carmakers are willing to intensify their bonds by signing a new cooperation agreement that will see models from the Dutch supercar maker use platforms and parts from Lotus. Moreover, under the new agreement Lotus will participate in the design and development of all future Spyker models. Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars comments: "Our company has had a very fruitful cooperation with Lotus, developed over the past four years, relating to engineering services in respect of certain components of our cars, as well as in respect of worldwide certification.” -Continued
“Spyker and Lotus have now come to the conclusion that they need to intensify their cooperation to the point that we intend to share parts and platforms, as well as an agreement on the supply of parts. Moreover, Lotus Engineering has become Spyker's preferred subcontractor in respect of a number of engineering projects relating to the Spyker C8 Aileron and the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris.”
Michael Kimberley, CEO of Lotus Cars Ltd., added: "Lotus is very pleased to be identified as Spyker's preferred Engineering supplier for these unique "high Brand Image" ground breaking cars. We look forward to working with Spyker to expand our global business opportunities, projects and interests for our mutually synergistic Products and Technologies”
“Lotus Engineering has a great heritage and solid track record in developing innovative solutions for clients and we look forward to using Lotus' advanced light weight vehicle know-how and vehicle dynamics technology to enable Spyker to establish itself as a dynamic premium automotive player.”
Now if this isn’t a project straight from hell we don’t what is; this guy took a 1981 Lotus Esprit S3 and decided to replace its 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 4.2-liter V8 unit from an Audi A8! Understandably, that’s easier said than done as you can imagine what sort of problems can pop-up with an engine-transplant like this. Still, he managed to do it and for this, he deserves our utter respect! –Video after the jump
The most comfortable Lotus for everyday use, the Europa coupe has been enhanced for the 2009 MY. The updated Europa coupe will be offered in Both versions of the Europa now offer increased levels of comfort over the Elise and Exige. As with all 2008 Lotus road cars, the Europa and Europa SE now come with driver and passenger airbags and an engine start button as standard. The Europa interior is furnished with leather sports seats and comes as standard with a high quality stereo system. -Continued
The Europa SE also gets new light weight alloy rims wrapped in wider, high performance tyres, for increased levels of grip. These new high performance wheels are larger with 17” rims up front, and larger 18” rims on the rear. The new wheels house high performance AP Racing four pot brakes and larger (308 mm) diameter discs.
The Europa has a mid-mounted 2 litre turbo charged engine, tuned in the SE with an all new calibration to 225 Hp and with 300 Nm of torque. 0-60 mph in the SE comes in 5.5 sec (0-100 km/h in 5.7 sec) and the sprint to 100 mph (160 km/h) takes just 13.0 sec (estimated). The Europa SE will hit a top speed of 143 mph (estimated).
As its name suggests, the Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel is equipped with a 1.8-liter supercharged engine that can run any mixture of gasoline, bioethanol and methanol. Using a development of the supercharger and intercooler package from the Exige S, the Exige 270E Tri-fuel has peak power of 270 hp at 8000 rpm, 184 lb/ft (260 Nm) of torque at 5500 rpm, up by 51 hp or 19% and 25 lb/ft 45 Nm or 14% over the standard gasoline Exige S.That makes the Exige 270E Tri-fuel the most powerful road version of the Exige range. According to the British carmaker, the Exige 270E can go from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.9 sec and on to a top speed of 158 mph or 255 km/h. –More details after the jump
PRESS RELEASE:
Lotus Researches Cars Running On CO2 Exige 270E Tri-fuel is the next stage of Lotus Engineering’s long-term sustainable, synthetic alcohol research
Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus, unveils its latest development towards carbon neutral road transport at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show. The Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel is the most powerful road version yet of the Exige (0-60 mph / 96 kph in 3.88 seconds, a top speed of 158 mph (255 km/h), 270 hp (201 kW / 273 PS at 8000 rpm) and it runs on any mixture of gasoline, bioethanol and methanol. Emerging technologies will allow alcohol fuels such as methanol, already a proven internal combustion fuel, to be made synthetically from CO2 extracted from the atmosphere.
An alcohol-based fuel derived renewably from atmospheric CO2 would allow society to transfer relatively easily to sustainable, carbon-neutral internal combustion. Lotus Engineering is researching the use of sustainable synthetic alcohols as potential future fuels, with technology available from Lotus for introduction in four to five years. However, the supply infrastructure investment from governments and fuel companies could take 15 to 20 years.
The Exige 270E Tri-fuel is part of Lotus’ research to understand the complex combustion process involved in running on mixtures of alcohol fuels and gasoline, which will be important for a successful transition from today’s fuels to the sustainable, synthetic fuels of the future.
This research is just one aspect of Lotus Engineering’s ground-breaking work on environmentally-friendly vehicles. It is involved with a number of electric vehicle projects, has successfully integrated hybrid technologies into vehicles such as its EVE demonstrator, and recently announced results on a collaboration with Continental Division Powertrain on the Low CO2 downsized three-cylinder engine. The research into sustainable alcohols is progressing at Lotus’ Hethel headquarters in
Methanol (CH3OH) can be produced synthetically from CO2 and hydrogen. Ultimately, emerging processes to recover atmospheric CO2 will provide the required carbon that can entirely balance the CO2 emissions at the tailpipe that result from the internal combustion of synthetic methanol. The result is that a car running on synthetic methanol, such as the Exige 270E Tri-fuel would be environmentally neutral.
As well as being green, the great benefit of synthetic methanol is that it would use similar engines and fuel systems to those in current cars; and synthetic methanol can be stored, transported and retailed in much the same way as today’s liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
Synthetic methanol also possesses properties better suited to internal combustion than today’s liquid fuels, giving improved performance and thermal efficiencies. And it is ideal for pressure-charging (turbocharging and supercharging) already being introduced by manufacturers to downsize engines in a bid to improve fuel consumption.
Lotus Engineering’s Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel technology demonstrator illustrates how easy it is for synthetic methanol to be embraced over time as a future fuel for road transport. The Exige 270E Tri-fuel, with its supercharged 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine, could be the forefather of a new generation of conventionally driven cars that have the potential to be environmentally-neutral.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, explains: “Lotus is a world-class leader in research into a variety of alternative fuels; each has its merits and challenges and some options could be more easily implemented than others. But while motorists want to be green, we do not want to change the culture of total freedom for the owners, who will have an extreme reluctance to spend more at the pump, or to sacrifice the performance of their cars.
Mike Kimberley continues, “At present, the motor industry is seeking a route to reduce CO2 emissions just at the tailpipe; this focus is far too narrow. A sustainable alcohol such as synthetic methanol has the potential to reduce the overall CO2 footprint of internal combustion vehicles towards zero. Produced through CO2 recovered from the atmosphere and given a tax incentive, it immediately becomes a green, cheap and more desirable fuel. For those compelling reasons motorists, legislators and car manufacturers must switch to a sustainable alcohol like synthetic methanol.”
Geraint Castleton-White, Head of Powertrain at Lotus Engineering explains: “For car companies and the motorist, the use of sustainable alcohols like synthetic methanol requires relatively few changes to the vehicle. It can also use the current fuel distribution infrastructure, which is a huge advantage for suppliers.
Geraint Castleton-White continues, “We believe that, technically, there are a small number of significant but by no means insurmountable hurdles to the adoption of synthetic methanol as the staple future fuel for internal combustion. We are some way into a number of extensive research projects but of course, we understand that further research needs to be undertaken to fully overcome potential challenges that may arise.”
David Bott, Director of Innovation Platforms within the Technology Strategy Board in the
Tony Ryan, ICI Professor of Physical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry at The University of Sheffield says: “There is a great opportunity to develop methanol as a transport fuel in a mixed energy economy that embraces a wide range of primary energy sources, including nuclear, solar, and other renewable power sources. Combining atmospheric CO2 with hydrogen to form methanol provides a pathway to personal transport with low carbon emissions that uses the existing liquid-fuel infrastructure and Lotus Engineering offers world leadership in the development of engines to use these fuels of the future.”
More detail >>>
Synthetic methanol – a green fuel?
Synthetic methanol’s green credentials arise from its potential to be completely CO2 neutral. The most likely future mass-production of the fuel is by using electrochemical techniques to combine oxygen, hydrogen and carbon:
Carbon could be sourced from carbon dioxide recovered from the atmosphere using either large scale extraction facilities or biomass.
Oxygen would be taken from the atmosphere already contained in the CO2 molecule.
Hydrogen would be acquired through the electrolysis of water; challenges remain in the electrical power required; in a green future, this could be supplied from renewable sources, an issue already being addressed by supporters of hydrogen as a fuel.
Synthetic methanol can also be supplemented by production from biomass sources where properly sustainable.
Methanol can be produced easily from a wide variety of feedstocks.
Please see Synthetic Methanol Cycle Diagrams attached
Synthetic methanol – How to make it?
Techniques for the production of synthetic methanol through the extraction of atmospheric CO2 are well developed and understood but are not being employed on an industrial scale. An early solution would be the co-location of a nuclear or hydroelectric powerplant with a conventional power station – the hydrogen generated by hydrolysis of water would be combined with CO2 from either fossil or biomass sources to make liquid methanol. In the future, large volumes of CO2 could be extracted directly from the atmosphere.
Synthetic methanol – easy to adopt?
As well as being green, another crucial advantage of synthetic methanol is that it can be introduced relatively simply. As the Exige 270E Tri-fuel demonstrates, only small changes to engines are required, such as:
Sensors to detect alcohol content
Modified software for engine management control driving alcohol/gasoline, flex fuel and fuel systems operations.
Fuel lines compatible with alcohol fuels
Higher flow rate fuel pump and injectors
Fuel tank material, compatible with alcohol In addition, as a liquid, which is miscible with gasoline, synthetic methanol can be transported; stored and sold to motorists exactly as today’s liquid fuels are, with only minor modifications.
Synthetic methanol – a performance fuel?
Synthetic methanol is better suited to spark-ignition combustion than today’s liquid fuels, delivering better performance and thermal efficiencies, due to its higher octane rating giving it better resistance to ‘knock’. As a result, it is a fuel that will benefit the motorists in terms of driving experience. For example, the Exige 270E Tri-fuel is quicker to 60mph from standstill and has a higher top speed when using 100% synthetic methanol fuel than with conventional gasoline. Synthetic methanol is also ideally suited to pressure-charging, a trend already well underway as car makers look to downsize engines to reduce fuel consumption.
Synthetic methanol -the way forward
Lotus Engineering regards sustainable alcohols as the third step in a process towards carbon neutral driving. The current E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) based movement represents the first stage in building momentum towards sustainable fuels. The valuable learning from the current bioethanol vehicles on the market means that synthetic methanol would easily be managed technically and within the existing transport, storage and distribution infrastructure. The steps towards a synthetic methanol economy for transportation fuels could be as follows:
1st Generation: there is a handful of current bioethanol models on sale around the world. These cars run on E85 bioethanol, which is produced from valuable arable crops (food). This is unsustainable in the short and medium term as global demand for fuel will outstrip the supply available from farmland to the detriment of food production, but is a necessary step in the evolution of the market. 2nd Generation: the next generation bioethanol fuels will be based on biomass waste, for example crop stubble, waste vegetable-based oils and any biodegradable waste matter. This is thought also to be unsustainable in the medium to long term as the required volume of biomass increases beyond that which can be supplied. 3rd Generation: sustainable alcohols such as synthetic methanol can be introduced due to its miscibility with ethanol and gasoline. This fuel can be produced from entirely sustainable, readily available inputs, with an environmentally neutral overall impact. 4th Generation: Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: over the longer term, sustainable alcohols in internal combustion will facilitate the soft introduction of direct methanol fuel cells as a long term sustainable future fuel. This will only be possible with pure methanol pumps on the forecourt which internal combustion engines can bring forward due to their ability to consume a mixture of fuels.
Lotus Engineering strongly believes governments, fuel suppliers and car manufacturers have a key role to play in the adoption of sustainable alcohols as a future green fuel.
If car manufacturers were incentivised to produce next generation models for introduction over the next 5 to 10 years as flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on any mix of gasoline and bioethanol, there would be no need for an unfeasible instant global changeover. Late software changes can permit the introduction of methanol and fortunately, E85 bioethanol and subsequently synthetic methanol can be introduced gradually to the marketplace, due to their miscibility.
Should fuel suppliers increase the industrial-scale production of synthetic methanol, it could be introduced to forecourts across the globe within 15-20 years and eventually become a global standard.
The Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel
The Lotus philosophy is all about performance through light weight. The Exige 270E Tri-fuel is built to the lightest specification possible without resorting to expensive and rare materials. The performance improvements of using synthetic alcohol have been made through increasing the power of the engine without increasing its weight and therefore the overall weight of the car.
The Engine
The heart of the Exige 270E Tri-fuel is a Roots-type supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil) and air to air intercooler attached to the tried and tested 4-cylinder, 1.8 litre 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i engine. Using a development of the supercharger and intercooler package from the Exige S, the Exige 270E Tri-fuel has peak power of 270 hp (201 kW / 273 PS) at 8000 rpm, 184 lbft (260 Nm) of torque at 5500 rpm, up by 51 hp (38 kW, 52 PS) or 19% and 25 lbft 45 Nm or 14% over the standard gasoline Exige S. Maximum engine speed is 8000 rpm (8500 rpm transient for up to 2 seconds).
The low carbon number alcohol fuels methanol and ethanol give more power when burned in the engine than conventional gasoline (petrol) fuel. The performance benefits come largely from the high heats of vaporization of methanol and ethanol, which give strong charge-cooling effects, and the increased octane ratings. There are other secondary thermodynamic effects. Methanol's higher heat of vaporization leads to a slightly higher performance relative to ethanol. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes making sure that the bends in these ducts are not too tight, to the benefit of throttle response and efficiency. The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger is turned by the crankshaft, and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation.
The 2ZZ VVTL-i engine has two cam profiles – a high speed cam and a low speed cam. The seamless switch point between these two cams is completely variable depending upon driving conditions and engine load. This gives the Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel a smooth and linear surge of power from idle speeds all the way to the maximum 8500rpm. An electronic drive-by-wire throttle ensures the quickest engine response possible whilst keeping the emissions as clean and as low as possible, to meet relevant legislative demands. Six fuel injectors have been fitted to increase fuel flow to the engine at normal and higher engine speeds and loads.
Now this is something new; instead of showing us a concept version of their forthcoming Eagle sports car, Lotus announced that it will showcase the front module of the vehicle’s chassis at the Geneva Motor Show. And in case you’re dying to find out how the Eagle’s front module looks like, the Brits released an official, high resolution picture of the chassis part… But anyway, according to Lotus, the all-new rang topping Eagle sports car will be fully unveiled at
Press Release:
First Glimpse of Project Eagle
Group Lotus plc unveiled the first glimpse of the eagerly awaited Project Eagle at the 78th annual Geneva International Motor Show. This exhibition showcases part of the advanced technology being utilised for Project Eagle and the latest development of the innovative Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA). This first glimpse is the front module of the chassis, which is shown prior to the full unveiling of Project Eagle at the British Motor Show in July 2008.
Project Eagle is the code name for the new higher specification addition to the Lotus product range entering the market above the Elise, Exige and Europa. Going into production at the beginning of next year, Project Eagle draws heavily on the proven technology used in the iconic Lotus Elise family of vehicles as well as the Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) shown as the APX (Aluminium Performance Crossover) Concept Vehicle. Project Eagle will be an all new fantastic Lotus sports car, which illustrates Lotus Engineering’s ability to create innovative and exciting high performance niche car products.
Mike Kimberley CEO of Group Lotus plc said: “I am delighted with the exceptional “fast-track” progress of Project Eagle -the project is hitting key gateway, timing and technical objectives. The project utilises our core competencies in aluminium, and composite body engineering, jointing techniques, and vehicle systems integration. Lotus Engineering is a world leader in niche vehicle design, manufacture and global sales and Project Eagle is a prime example of this technological competence, which will build upon this reputation”.
Mike Kimberley added, “This is a very exciting period for us at Lotus and the whole company is enjoying the challenge of delivering such an exceptional new Lotus car. By showing this front module at
Versatile Vehicle Architecture
The innovative Lotus Engineering VVA technology offers a fast-to-market, cost-effective approach to differentiated niche products by spreading the development, investment and the bill of materials burden across a range of vehicle variants, without the compromise that stems from conventional ‘platform sharing'. The philosophy is based on the commonality and versatility of key elements of the vehicle structure and body systems across a ‘family’ of niche vehicle variants that meet all world homologation and safety requirements.
Richard Rackham, Vehicle Architect of Lotus Engineering, said “Producing a bespoke low-volume platform using normal methods is uneconomical, whilst sharing a mainstream platform normally results in compromises in performance and design. Traditionally car manufacturers seeking to gain competitive advantage through exciting niche vehicles have to either design a new platform or share one already available. The great advantage of this VVA technology is that it can be used by one car manufacturer looking to develop a range of niche products, or by a group of car manufacturers looking to share investment, but still retain a high degree of end product separation.”
The Project Eagle chassis is an evolution of the Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) from the Lotus APX concept vehicle previously showcased at
The Low Volume VVA architecture has been designed so that it can be stretched in width, length and height. The strength and stiffness of the low volume VVA chassis can be modified cost effectively by varying the wall thickness of the extrusions, without altering the exterior dimensions. Combining the ability to lengthen or shorten extrusions with the option to tailor the chassis stiffness, vastly increases the number of vehicles that could be developed from this vehicle architecture. Front and mid engine installations have been considered, as well as hybrid and Electric Vehicle (EV) applications.
Project Eagle employs a composite roof as a stressed structural member to give an exceptional vehicle stiffness of 26,000 Nm per degree. To deliver this high performance structure, bonded and riveted high grade aluminium extrusions and simple and elegant folded sheet elements are used in the lower structure, building upon award winning research projects in this field. Lotus pioneered the aerospace technology of bonded aluminium extrusions for use in road vehicles and has successfully developed high performance cars for global engineering clients using this approach.
Project Eagle Front Module
The innovative VVA architecture for Project Eagle consists of three distinct parts, with the centre occupant section being the largest. Bolted to this centre section are the rear sub frame to which the engine and rear suspension are attached and the front module that incorporates the bumper beam and side members that progressively absorb crash energy. Practicality has been a major consideration with in-built serviceability factored into the design. Various systems attach to the front module including the suspension, cooling pack, HVAC and body. The aluminium front module on its own measures 938 mm long, 864 mm wide and 387 mm tall and weighs in at a featherweight 25 kg, again ‘ecologically’ biased.
Project Eagle suspension wishbones are forged from aluminium to reduce the unsprung mass. These are similar in weight to the steel items found on the much smaller Elise, Exige and Europa vehicle, but have a far higher vehicle weight capability. They attach to the front module via bespoke lightweight bushes. All Lotus cars have to be fun to drive and deliver a sensational, class leading driving experience. Project Eagle will be using Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs with unique dual path top mounts for optimised vehicle refinement. The high performance bespoke Lotus AP Racing 4 pot callipers work in tandem with ventilated cross-drilled 350mm diameter brake discs to ensure phenomenal stopping power. Hydraulically assisted power steering will be employed with a TRW steering rack.
Project Eagle
The development of Project Eagle is advancing rapidly, with engineering prototypes already conducting testing in Northern Europe and at Lotus’ headquarters at
The most radical version of the Lotus Exige, the track-ready Sport Exige Cup has been revised for the MY2008 with a series of mechanical updates the most important being the new engine management system that boosts maximum power output to 257 hp (260 PS), up by nearly 5 hp (5 PS) over the MY2007 Sport Exige Cup. According to the British firm, the 2008 model achieves a top speed of 247 kmh (147 mph) and a 0 to 160 kmh (100 mph) time of 9.9 sec and 0 to 100 kmh of 4.1 sec (0 to 60 mph in 4 sec).Additional improvements on the 2008 Model year include the new graphics on the instrument panel, the variable traction and launch control and the new alarm/immobilizer system. –Details after the jump
Press Release
Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260.
20th February 2008
Lotus Sport, the motor sport division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has unveiled the MY2008 Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260. A direct development of the 2007 Exige Cup Car, this year’s car has a revised engine management system to take the maximum power output to 257 hp (260 PS), up by nearly 5 hp (5 PS) over last year. Bespoke performance enhancements created to offer a car with even greater levels of handling and acceleration capable of taming
The Exige Cup 260, once again represents Lotus’ most radical version of the Exige, with the track environment being its home and for 2008, the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 has full European homologation for road use (a must have for some competitive environments where a road legal car has to be entered).
There are further product changes: all Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 cars now have a number of the 2008 Model year improvements from the road versions of the Elise and Exige, namely:
--Instrument pack with new graphic design and expanded functionality
--New alarm/immobiliser + single integrated function key
--Variable Lotus Traction Control
--Variable Lotus Launch Control
In traditional Lotus style, weight saving is paramount. Weighing in at just 928 kg, the power to weight ratio is an impressive 271 hp / tonne (273 PS / tonne). Such a fantastic power to weight ratio alone of course does not make a superlative track car, so the Exige Cup 260 has a formidable list of standard equipment that includes Lotus specific LTS compound Yokohama A048R tyres, 4-piston AP Racing front brake calipers, adjustable dampers and anti-roll bar, the latest FIA 6-point roll cage and sports driver and passenger seats. The car can also be ordered as a Track version for track use only. The Track Version comes pre-fitted with an FIA approved 6-point roll cage, and 4-point harnesses. In addition, a wide range of motorsport specific options are also available with this version.
The Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 is one of the quickest cars around a circuit. Key to this incredible performance is the aerodynamic package, which produces over 40 kg of downforce at 160 kmh increasing grip and stability at higher speeds. With a top speed of 247 kmh (147 mph) and a zero to 160 kmh (100 mph) in circa 9.9 seconds, 0 to 100 kmh in circa 4.1 seconds (0 to 60 mph in circa 4 seconds), the MY2008 Exige Cup 260 is the perfect partner for the serious racer. Combined Fuel Consumption is 9.1 l/100km and the CO2 emissions 216 g/km.
The Exige Cup 260 is available now for sale in mainland
Mike J Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer Group Lotus plc said: "In keeping with our racing and high performance sports car heritage, we are very pleased to launch this exceptionally exciting, phenomenal-handling Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260. This is yet another example of how Lotus Cars and high-tech engineering with Lotus Sport, can transform an already brilliant road car into an exceptionally high performance product for the track.”
Further details about the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260:
Engine
The supercharged and intercooled engine in the Exige Cup 260 has a maximum power output of 260 PS (257 hp) at 8000 rpm and a torque figure of 236 Nm (174 lbft) at 6000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque now available together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear surge of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm (8500 rpm transient for 2 seconds). The Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Charge air (air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through an air-to-air intercooler (the air enters via the enhanced roof scoop) before being fed into the engine itself. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes to minimise restriction and maximise throttle response and efficiency. Four high capacity injectors and an uprated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or continuous high speed driving.
A sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to the lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) – with the same perfectly spaced ratios as the Exige S. A Torsen type limited slip differential is fitted as standard, with a plate type limited slip differential available as an option.
Keen to pass on lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing programme, Lotus Sport has contributed another important technology – launch control combined with variable traction control. This combo has already made its production debut with the track-oriented Lotus 2-Eleven.
From the driver’s seat the launch control allows you to determine the number of revs you wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that limit, you then hold your foot down hard on the throttle and sidestep the clutch at departure from the line time. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch / transmission engagement to minimise the stresses to the drivetrain (noting that abusive/ continuous 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 control the amount of traction control you require from the driver’s seats, altering it on the move to suit 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.
An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant.
More than just new dials
The new instrument pack fitted to the whole of the MY2008 Exige and Elise range is also carried over to the Sport Exige Cup 260. It is more than just a fresh 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 new 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 and vice-versa.
Warning symbols are ‘secret until lit’, keeping the instrumentation free from visual clutter and distraction until absolutely necessary. New gearchange ‘shift’ lights similarly remain hidden until required. There are three shift up 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’re almost on the rev limiter so time to change up a gear!
A “key” issue
In response to forthcoming legislation, the Exige Cup 260 has a new “Thatcham approved” alarm/immobiliser system. This, in turn, has enabled the new Lotus design of key that incorporates the controls for the alarm/immobiliser and central locking functions. This upmarket key fob 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 button.
Roof Scoop
The Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 retains the full length roof scoop from the outgoing Sport Exige Cup 255, which improves the intake ambient air flow rate, so allowing the Exige Cup 260 to gain a higher charge density in the cylinders.
Wheels and Tyres
16-spoke cast wheels are shod with Lotus specific LTS compound Yokohama A048R tyres to maximise grip and achieve the ride and handling targets set by Lotus.
Brakes
The brake system includes large diameter 308 mm 2-piece aluminium belled cast iron cross-drilled and ventilated front discs and 282 mm cross-drilled and ventilated discs at the rear, upgraded Pagid RS14 sports brake pads set into the brake calipers (AP Racing two piece radially mounted, 4 piston at the front and Brembo sliding at the rear), high grade silicone brake fluid and stainless steel braided brake hoses - all linked to the proven Lotus track tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS system that enhances braking performance and minimizes stopping distance without taking over from the skill of the driver.
Suspension
Adjustable dampers and a stiffened and adjustable front anti-roll bar allows customers to tailor the handling characteristics of the car to their own requirements.
As the Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 cars are equipped for track use, a double shear track control arm brace is provided to cope with the expected kerb abuse during racing or hard track day driving.
Safety Equipment
Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 cars have the safety equipment expected of a race car, with sports seats, 3-point “Webb Lock” harnesses (4-point driver and passenger seat belt harnesses are provided for track use only). The 6-point roll cage is FIA approved and is provided with the vehicle as a no-cost option for dealer fit after delivery. Completing the additional safety equipment is An electronic ignition kill switch with cockpit and external activation and a plumbed electrically activated fire extinguisher system, again with cockpit and external panic switches.
Specification
The standard specification Lotus Sport Exige Cup 260 is road legal within the European Union, and can be registered for road use. The vehicle is supplied with a separate FIA approved 6-point roll cage and 4-point harnesses. These are for track use only and can be installed by an authorized Lotus dealer at the request of the customer. Other track options are available from Lotus Sport that can be fitted during production. Vehicles fitted with these parts cannot be road registered.
Options (all subject to local taxation rates)
• FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell (track use only)
• Lotus Sport limited slip differential (plate type)
• Air conditioning
• Metallic paint
• Lifestyle paint
• Race battery and holder
British sports carmaker Lotus has released a limited edition version of the Elise dubbed “Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition” to commemorate 40 years of production at the Lotus factory in Hethel in 2007. Based on the entry-level model of the The Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition will be offered in just 50 units across Europe with
Specifications:
Elise S – Model Year 2008, featuring twin airbags
Burnt
Hardtop
Painted rear diffuser and wheels
Leather trim in orange stitching
Painted centre consol & exterior panels in body colour
Coloured brake calipers
Build plate
Country specific unique Decals
40th commemorative letter signed by Mike Kimberley, CEO of Lotus Cars Ltd.
Retail prices per country including local tax and delivery:
Via: Motorpasion , Source: Lotus
