Lotus Exige
Encyclopedia
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
made by Lotus Cars
Lotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
. It is essentially a coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
version of the Lotus Elise
Lotus Elise
The 1996 Lotus Elise weighed . Because of its relatively low weight, it was able to accelerate 0- in 5.8 seconds despite its relatively low power output of...
, a mid-engined roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
in production since 1996.
The original Exige (NA or naturally aspirated Exige) was launched in 2000 and had a 1.8 L Rover K Series
Rover K engine
The K-Series engine is a series of engines built by Powertrain Ltd, a sister company of MG Rover. The engine was built in two forms: a straight-four cylinder, available with SOHC and DOHC, ranging from 1.1 L to 1.8 L; and the KV6 V6 variation....
engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
in VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) tune. It produced 177 bhp in standard form and 192 bhp in the "track spec" version.
In 2004, the Series 2 Exige was introduced. It features a 1.8 L 16-valve DOHC Toyota/Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
engine that produces 190 bhp with the Toyota engine designation of 2ZZ-GE
Toyota ZZ engine
The Toyota ZZ engine family is a straight-4 piston engine series. The ZZ series uses an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads, a first for Toyota. The camshafts are chain-driven. The two 1.8 L members of the family, the 1ZZ and 2ZZ, use different bore and stroke...
. Compared to the Series 2 Elise, it has a front splitter, fibreglass hardtop roof with roof scoop, rear engine cover, and rear spoiler. The sole purpose of these aerodynamic additions to the base Elise is to create more downforce (almost 100 lb (45.4 kg) of downforce at 100 mi/h in the Exige versus 13 lb (5.9 kg) at 100 mi/h in the Elise).
In February 2005, Lotus announced a limited production run of 50 Exiges, using the Toyota engine with a supercharger
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
, that increases the power output to 243 bhp. These vehicles were only available in yellow or black, representing the colours of Lotus Sport, and are badged 240R. They have a projected 0-60 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 3.9 seconds and 0-100 mph (0–160 km/h) of 9.9 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h) at a cost of £44,000 (approximately $72,500 or €51,000).
The North American Exige was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. In February 2006, Lotus announced the Exige S model which used a supercharged Toyota engine producing 220 bhp. The S was also made available in North American markets as a 2007 model.
Specifications
According to Lotus, the standard Exige Series 2 model weighs 2016 lb (914.4 kg) has the following specifications:Engine:
- Toyota Supplied, 1796 cc I4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing with lift intelligence) - Designed by YamahaYamahaYamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
- Engine Code: 2ZZ-GEToyota ZZ engineThe Toyota ZZ engine family is a straight-4 piston engine series. The ZZ series uses an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads, a first for Toyota. The camshafts are chain-driven. The two 1.8 L members of the family, the 1ZZ and 2ZZ, use different bore and stroke... - Bore/Stroke 82 mm/85 mm
- 190 hp (142 kW) @ 7800 rpm
- 138 ft·lbf (187 N·m) @ 6800 rpm
- Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Transmission:
6-Speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
, close-ratio with single-plate dry clutch
Performance:
- 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.7 seconds
- 0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.9 seconds
- Top speed: 147 mi/h
- Fuel consumption: 24 mpgimp city / 29 mpgimp highway
Exige S
According to Lotus, the Exige S model, weighing 2057 lb (933 kg), has the following specifications:Engine:
- Toyota supplied, 1796 cc I4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing and lift - intelligent), supercharged and intercooled
- Bore/Stroke 82 mm/85 mm
- 218 hp (162.5 kW) @ 7800 rpm
- 158.6 ft·lbf (215 N·m) @ 5500 rpm
- Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Transmission:
6-speed, close ratio with single-plate dry clutch
Performance:
- 0-60 (0-100 km/h): 4.1 seconds
- 0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 9.98 seconds
- Top speed: 148 mi/h
- Fuel consumption: 24 mpgimp city / 29 mpgimp highway
2008 Exige S 240
In 2008, the Exige S had a 240 bhp option that was sold alongside the regular Exige S (220 hp). The package includes upgraded AP RacingAutomotive Products
Automotive Products, commonly abbreviated to AP, was an automotive industry components company set up in 1920 by Edward Boughton, Willie Emmott and Denis Brock, to import and sell American-made components to service the fleet of ex-military trucks left behind in Europe after World War I.In 1928,...
brakes from the Exige Cup 240 and a larger roof scoop from the Exige Cup 255. 0-60 mph (0–97 km/h) is trimmed to under 4 seconds with this option.
2009 Exige S
In the 2009 model year, the Exige is offered in the United States in two configurations: S240 and S260. S240 is the continuation of the 2008 model, it weighs 2077 lb (942.1 kg) and comes with a 240 hp supercharged engine. New for 2009, S260 weighs 2020 lb (916.3 kg) with a full tank of fuel; its engine has been improved to produce 257 hp and 0 mile per hour acceleration in 4.0 seconds. Base manufacturer suggested retail prices for S240 and S260 are $65,690 and $74,995, respectively.Exige 265E
The Exige 265E is a factory-built Exige S optimized to run on E85E85
E85 is an abbreviation for an ethanol fuel blend of up to 85% denatured ethanol fuel and gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume. E85 is commonly used by flex-fuel vehicles in the US, Canada, and Europe. Some of the benefits of E85 over conventional gasoline powered vehicles include the potential...
fuel, which is 85% ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
. The higher octane
Octane
Octane is a hydrocarbon and an alkane with the chemical formula C8H18, and the condensed structural formula CH36CH3. Octane has many structural isomers that differ by the amount and location of branching in the carbon chain...
of this biofuel
Biofuel
Biofuel is a type of fuel whose energy is derived from biological carbon fixation. Biofuels include fuels derived from biomass conversion, as well as solid biomass, liquid fuels and various biogases...
allows for a higher compression ratio
Compression ratio
The 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
and/or more supercharger boost
Boost
-Science, technology and mathematics:* Automotive:** Boost, positive manifold pressure in cars, see Turbocharger#Pressure increase.*** a loose term for turbo or supercharger** A slang term meaning to start a vehicle, see jump start...
. In this model, which saw the ECU re-mapped as well as upgraded injectors and fuel pump to cope with the new fuel type, the brakes have also been upgraded to four-piston AP Racing
Automotive Products
Automotive Products, commonly abbreviated to AP, was an automotive industry components company set up in 1920 by Edward Boughton, Willie Emmott and Denis Brock, to import and sell American-made components to service the fleet of ex-military trucks left behind in Europe after World War I.In 1928,...
calipers with increased diameter 310 mm (12.2 in) sport brake pads mated with drilled and vented discs at the front. Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
single-piston sliding rear calipers with 282 mm (11.1 in) diameter discs are fitted at the rear. Lotus says it has no intention to build the 265E (265 indicates the approximate horsepower and the E indicates the "environmentally favourable bio-ethanol E85 fuel" powering the engine) as a production car, and that it is simply a biofuels demonstrator. According to Lotus, the Exige 265E model has the following specifications:
Engine:
- Toyota supplied, 2ZZ-GE 1796 cc I-4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing with lift intelligence), superchargedSuperchargerA supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
and intercooledIntercoolerAn intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes... - Bore/Stroke 82 mm/85 mm
- 264 hp (197 kW) @ 8000 rpm
- 184 ft·lbf (249 N·m) @ 5500 rpm
- Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Transmission:
- C64 6-Speed, close ratio with single-plate dry clutch
Exige 265E performance:
- 0-60 (0-97 km/h): 3.88 seconds
- 0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 9.2 seconds
- Top speed: 158 mi/h
- Fuel consumption: ~25 mpgimp city / 65 mpgimp highway
Exige GT3
According to Lotus, the Exige GT3 model has the following specifications:Engine:
- Toyota supplied 2ZZ-GEToyota ZZ engineThe Toyota ZZ engine family is a straight-4 piston engine series. The ZZ series uses an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads, a first for Toyota. The camshafts are chain-driven. The two 1.8 L members of the family, the 1ZZ and 2ZZ, use different bore and stroke...
, 1796 cc I-4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, DOHC with VVTL-i and Lotus T4e engine management system, Roots-typeRoots type superchargerThe Roots type supercharger or Roots blower is a positive displacement lobe pump which operates by pumping fluids with a pair of meshing lobes not unlike a set of stretched gears. Fluid is trapped in pockets surrounding the lobes and carried from the intake side to the exhaust...
Eaton M62 superchargerSuperchargerA supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
and intercooledIntercoolerAn intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes... - Bore/Stroke 82.0 mm / 85.0 mm
- 271 bhp @ 8000 rpm
- 190 lbft @ 7000 rpm
- Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
Transmission:
- C64 6-speed, close ratio with uprated clutch and cover, open differential
- Gear ratios I/II/III : 3.116:1 / 2.050:1 / 1.481:1
- IV/V/VI : 1.166:1 / 0.916:1 / 0.815:1
- R/final drive : 3.250:1 / 4.529:1
Exige GT3 performance:
- 0-60 mph : 3.9 seconds
- 0-100 km/h : 4.0 seconds
- 0-100 mph (0-160 km/h) : 9.8 seconds
- Top Speed : 160 mi/h - electronically limited
- Power-to-weight ratio : 361 bhp per tonne
Note: While the mass of the vehicle has yet to be disclosed, it can be estimated to be around 1650 lb (748.4 kg) from the disclosure of the power-to-weight ratio.