Lotus Online News

New Lotus Exige S240 Sports Mild Aerodynamic Tweaks

2009-10-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

Designers have updated the front fascia with a larger intake, which reportedly helps improve cooling efficiency. The new front splitter has been extended to wrap around the entire hand-crafted fascia, which directs air around the tires to further reduce drag.

The rear spoiler has been redesigned for a similar reason, although Lotus says it still offers the same 93 pounds of downforce at 100 mph. We'd have to say it looks pretty good, too. It's patterned after the wing used on the Exige GT3 road car concept, and is nearly 7.1 inches wider than the previous part.

As was the case with the 2009 model, buyers can add a few extra amenities to what is otherwise a track car for the street. The $1600 touring pack adds leather seats and an iPod dock for the Alpine stereo. We think Lotus traditionalists may rather spring for the $1650 track pack, which adds adjustable Bilstein shocks with remote front reservoirs and threaded spring perches. A limited-slip differential is available for $1790.

Pricing for the tweaked Exige S240 remains consistent: Abase car will set you back $66,815, including an $1125 destination fee (which may vary depending on your location).

Lotus's Pictures

2009-07-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

Profile : Lotus Company

2009-07-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Lotus (Lotus Engineering Ltd.) was formed in 1952 by Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman. Chapman, a designer, inventor, and builder of all things automotive, established the direction of the company which is to build light sports cars.

The first Lotus produced by the company was the Lotus 6. The extremely light but fast car would help establish the company's reputation among sports car racing and enthusiasts. Other Lotus sports cars include the Seven (currently owned by Caterham Cars), the Lotus Twelve, and the now well-known Elite, Elan, and, of course, the Elise.

Financial difficulties in the 70's and early 80 led to the company's purchase by General Motors. Later, GM would sell Lotus to Bugatti. Malaysian automaker Proton currently owns Lotus.

Last year, Lotus announced it would bring a supercharged version of the Exige, the Exige S, to the U.S. market. The automaker has also entered the "green" segment with its ethanol-powered Exige 265E and the Lotus ZAP APX concept which it developed with electric car company ZAP.