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Yeo
Zorce Jedi Master
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 1936
Location: Far Rockaway, NY
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 Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:17 am Post subject: Lotus Exige 1.8S... 220 Supercharged horses! |
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| Quote: | Originally Posted by Topgear.com
A lot of very quick kit has come out our way from Hethel, but this, according to the boys behind it, is the fastest-accelerating production car Lotus has ever built.
Despite launching the new Exige S on the Silverstone national circuit, this is actually Lotus's road-going answer to its more extreme 240bhp Cup track car.
That means that for �33,395, a staggering �12,000 less than the Cup, you still get a supercharged version of the Toyota-sourced 1.8-litre engine from both Elise and standard Exige, but this time with 220bhp.
This modest drop off in power is accompanied by one rather than two-way adjustable dampers and the absence of a fire extinguisher, roll cage or kill switches.
So why launch the Exige S on a track at all? Because, like every other car from that stable, the S is still as at home there as on the road. A point Lotus is clearly keen to stress.
The handling is sensational, with confidence-inspiring grip and a traction control system that gently lends a hand when your talent runs out. You can turn the helper off, too, if you want to explore the charms of the Lotus chassis undiluted.
With it being a Lotus, none of this should come as a surprise, of course. A decent percentage of Lotus owners find themselves on a track at some point - and many of them get so addicted they fork out thousands with Lotus Engineering to wring more power from their motor. And that's pretty much how the Exige S came about.
You could already spec a standard car up to beyond the S spec, so now Lotus will offer the extra power off-the-shelf.
However, this Exige's slightly lower state of tune means power delivery is smoother, making it a more tempting day-today proposition. Performance is still awesome too - 60mph comes up in just 4.1 seconds and 100mph in a fraction under 10 seconds.
And it's not just the engine that's more usable. Drive through the circuit gates and out onto the public road and the Exige makes a decent job of the rougher tarmac.
The adjustable suspension means you can dial out some of the stiffness you'd want on the track in favour of a more compliant on-road ride.
The result is quite remarkable - you would still have to be a pretty committed enthusiast to drive one of these every day, but a few miles on a twisty A-road will have you thinking very hard about it.
Paul Regan |
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MG Man
Zorce Klingon Warrior
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 2683
Location: usually on the back page
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| Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:34 am Post subject: |
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excuse me while I play my six numbers 
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NarendZORCE
Zorce Editor-in-Chief
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 3137
Location: In Zorce, usually after the contents page
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| Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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�33,395.... x 10 = 3 3 3 9 5 0
There's yer six! |
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MG Man
Zorce Klingon Warrior
Joined: 19 May 2005
Posts: 2683
Location: usually on the back page
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| Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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| NarendZORCE wrote: | �33,395.... x 10 = 3 3 3 9 5 0
There's yer six! |
han, u hadda multiply by 12  then double that figure for the ballpark T&T figure
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