Lotus Exige S Roadster set for production
British sportscar specialist gives the green light to roadster rocketship that sprints from 0-100km/h in 4secLotus used the 2012 Geneva motor show to reveal a roadster version of its electrifying Exige S and now – just over 12 months later – the British sportscar maker has confirmed the vehicle is production-bound.
Due for Australian release early next year, the Exige S Roadster (the first Exige to be fitted with a soft-top) will be released in the UK this northen summer, although pricing is yet to be announced.
As per the hard-topped Exige S, the roadster is propelled by a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 that pumps out 257kW and 400Nm, enabling it to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.0sec and 0-160km/h in 8.5sec. It's slower than the coupe, but still fast – vmax is 233km/h.
Also mirroring the hardtop Exige S is the optional availability of the Race Pack, which adds track-optimised suspension settings and launch control.
The Exige S Roadster tips the scales at around 1170kg (about 10kg less than the coupe), and it will be offered as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, with the Serial Precision Shift (SPS) paddle-operated sequential gearbox available as an option.
Two cabin trim options will be on the menu – one comfort-oriented, and the other a more hardcore and stripped-down version for regular track-day enthusiasts.
The Exige Roadster follows in the wheeltracks of the Exige S hardtop that was recently launched here at a price of $119,990 (excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and delivery).
EXIGE S ROADSTER SPECS
Engine: Mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6, aluminium lightweight and compact construction, supercharged with double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, 4 valves per cylinder, Dual-Variable Valve Timing – intelligent, direct ignition system, electronic throttle control system-intelligent, Harrop HTV 1320 supercharger assembly (utilising Eaton Twin Vortex Series (TVS) Technology)
Power: 257.5 kW at 7000 rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 4600 rpm
Suspension: Fully independent suspension utilizing unequal length wishbones, Bilstein Sports mono-tube gas damper, Eibach coaxial coil spring at each corner and front and rear anti-roll bars
Chassis: Lotus designed lightweight structure of epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with integral steel seat-belt support structure and lightweight steel rear subframe.
Brakes: Servo-assisted, track tuned 4-channel Antilock Braking System (ABS)
AP-Racing four-piston callipers (front and rear); Front: 350 mm ventilated and cross drilled cast-iron discs; Rear: 332 mm ventilated and cross drilled cast-iron discs
Tyres: Pirelli P-Zero Corsa 205/45 R17 (Fr); 265/45 R18 (Rr)
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