The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well earned
reputation of choice for drivers who demand uncompromized 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.
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.‚â€Â
The specification of the highly successful 2009 Model Year Exige Cup 260,
unveiled at the Paris Motorshow in 2008 remains unchanged.
::Design World::
Filed Under: Automotive