News, lotus, exige, new cars, supercharger

Supercharged Lotus Exige S Coming to the US

Finally. Lotus is sending its top-shelf hooch to the US, in the form of a superchargerd Exige S. The company anounced today that the near-supercar Exige is coming to the states in the form of a 220-hp version (a 16-percent lift from the base model). The coupe, which weighs in at 2,077 pounds, can get from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds (nearly a second faster than the base model) and to 100 mph in 11 seconds, under the command of a six-speed tranny. Top speed is 148 mph. The model also gets variable-revs cam switching, by way of its T4e engine control system. For you? $56,990. Operators are standing by.

Related:
Lotus Launches Sport Exige GT3 Racer [internal]

5:45 PM on Tue Sep 26 2006
By Mike Spinelli
1,592 views
16 comments

Comments

MrSpyder at 05:08 PM on 09/26/06
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hmmm, I wonder if that sexy blower would fit in an mr2 spyder?
Seth L at 05:41 PM on 09/26/06
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Is this with the Toyota 2ZZ-GE that's in the Elise?

Sounds cheap, though IIRC, not street-legal.
sebrock at 06:05 PM on 09/26/06
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yummy
Pork Rind at 06:23 PM on 09/26/06
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Street legal: yes. The local dealer has been taking deposits for months. It's been just about the worst-kept secret ever.
nweaver at 06:29 PM on 09/26/06
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Tasty. Totally Batshit insane, too, but tasty...
Xman at 06:39 PM on 09/26/06
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just when I think the standard Exige is everything I've always wanted they drop something better.....
lamakachop at 08:34 PM on 09/26/06
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Only 220 hp????

Lam
Mischif at 08:45 PM on 09/26/06
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Well when the car only weighs a ton, lam, you don't need that much power.
exige+ducati749s at 11:06 PM on 09/26/06
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its all about the midrange torque... drivability improved, lower cam-change-over rpm also.
Adam at 02:11 AM on 09/27/06
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I love this car. I'm so happy they are finally bringing it to the US... this means if I ever get rich enough to own one, I won't have to import it! Yay!
lamakachop at 02:23 AM on 09/27/06
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Well, Mr. Mischif, that is true... but I would've thought they'd have a higher increase in hp. Although 220, is a substantial amount, I would've thought w/ a supercharger we might be more around 230-240ish hp.

And yes, it's true, torque band would be important (or maybe more important) than the amount of hp's gained. We'll see. Let me know.

Lam
Bumblebee at 10:36 AM on 09/27/06
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I love this car and the Elise because although they're ugly to my eye, they execute their intended purpose so purely that looks just don't matter.

That said, for some reason the Hummer is still ugly.
Seth L at 12:20 PM on 09/27/06
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If it's using the 2
Seth L at 12:21 PM on 09/27/06
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If it's using the 2zz engine then the modest boot is for reliability. It's not the most resilient engine around, although it is a perfect match for a small lightweight car.
Seth L at 12:22 PM on 09/27/06
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Sorry, I meant "boost"
Al Navarro at 07:10 PM on 09/27/06
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Connectedness Index: 195
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This here is why I'm glad I ended up in a Seven. There's no real upgrade temptation factor (I don't like the new CSR...it's SV-wide and the lines don't work for me). I guess I could upgrade the engine to a Duratec and perhaps put in a Freestyle inboard suspension, but even both of those upgades would cost about 1/3rd of a new Exige S.

Pretty much every modern car is prone to this. Bought a C6 Corvette? Well that was cool until the Z06 variant came out. Bought an Exige? That was the hotness until this supercharged thing came out.

I understand that carmakers need to do this, to design in some degre of obsalescence so that new models have appeal. But really, I'm over that now. Sevens for everyone!