My new 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 410

[wilchelus]

Hi guys,

I picked up my first Lotus yesterday, and I'm still buzzing.  Shocked, would be an appropriate adjective to describe my experience with these cars.  The car is so good. I can't wait to get it on the track to see how it is. 

Our Aussie spec differs slightly from the UK spec.  The side pods aren't the larger CF ones (I plan to change this), front splitter isn't CF (I don't mind...I would be worried that a CF splitter would explode on me), and non CF seats as far as I can tell (bummer).  Otherwise, all else is the same.

I was looking for a car that was fit-for-purpose, that didn't compromise for the sake of luxuries someone else would need, and didn't make my wallet tremble every time I was at the track looking for tenths of seconds.  This car ticked all the boxes.  Well, a couple of 2013/2014 Exige V6S's ticked most of the boxes but both got sold out from under me, and I'm a little impatient.  So this is where I ended up.

Hopefully I don't ask too many stupid questions.  I'm very very green when it comes to Lotus's!

Below are some pics I took as soon as I got her home. 

(temporary number plate location)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[stephenwhyte]

Lovely car - looks great I’m red with all the contrasting black👌😎 I wonder why the Oz spec means no carbon seats - they look like 350 seats with updated stitching

[GFWilliams]

Absolutely bloody lovely!

[alias23]

Looks fantastic! What’s your first modification going to be

[PeteType25]

The carbon fibre seats and side intakes were on what might retrospectively be called the "Launch Edition" Exige 410 Sport.

After the initial launch, they were removed from the standard spec, along with the 3-way Nitrons, and the base price was lowered.

So this is not due to it being Australian Spec

Still a very nice car though!

[Bibs]

Monster! Congrats!! 

[Edinburgh 111s]

Fantastic. Congratulations on a great looking car 

[wilchelus]

57 minutes ago, alias23 said:

Looks fantastic! What’s your first modification going to be

Harness bar and harnesses! 

34 minutes ago, PeteType25 said:

The carbon fibre seats and side intakes were on what might retrospectively be called the "Launch Edition" Exige 410 Sport.

After the initial launch, they were removed from the standard spec, along with the 3-way Nitrons, and the base price was lowered.

So this is not due to it being Australian Spec

Still a very nice car though!

Ah, interesting.  I still have the 3-way Nitrons. 

[GuyT]

Lovely choice.  Just put a deposit down on something pretty similar.  I've got Nitrons and all of the carbon bits (inc seats) but I don't have the carbon intakes.

[Mattmahope]

Lovely car, congrats!

[k20Rob]

Looks great. Carbon side pods are only on the cups over here in the uk (380 and 430).

[DAIR]

Stunning. Great choice of colour too!

[wilchelus]

Thanks for the kind comments.

The weather has been really bad around here since I took delivery.  Storms, and hail.  So I haven't been able to drive her since delivery day.  The weekend is looking like more of the same :(.

I do have one regret.  I regret not getting the whole car wrapped. I only had the entire front clam wrapped in PPF, and sections of the rear bumper.  Everywhere else I noticed the dealer installed swirl marks.  Seeing as I don't really want to drive it in storms I figured I'd get started on removing the swirls. 

(before anyone comments, I know the foam pad isn't on the DA polisher!  )

 

I also took the front access panel for the first time since I got her home, and took a pic of one of the remote reservoirs.

 

First track day was scheduled to be on March 23 with my local Porsche club.  But with the weather looking horrible this weekend I don't think I'll be able to drive the car enough/get enough kms/seat time belt before then. 

[Martin Duursma]

On 15/03/2019 at 05:40, wilchelus said:

Thanks for the kind comments.

The weather has been really bad around here since I took delivery.  Storms, and hail.  So I haven't been able to drive her since delivery day.  The weekend is looking like more of the same :(.

I do have one regret.  I regret not getting the whole car wrapped. I only had the entire front clam wrapped in PPF, and sections of the rear bumper.  Everywhere else I noticed the dealer installed swirl marks.  Seeing as I don't really want to drive it in storms I figured I'd get started on removing the swirls. 

(before anyone comments, I know the foam pad isn't on the DA polisher!  )

 

I also took the front access panel for the first time since I got her home, and took a pic of one of the remote reservoirs.

 

First track day was scheduled to be on March 23 with my local Porsche club.  But with the weather looking horrible this weekend I don't think I'll be able to drive the car enough/get enough kms/seat time belt before then. 

A bunch of us lotus guys will be at SMP on Sunday 24th at the NSW Supersprint, I'll be running in a 430 cup. Come along and we'd be happy to share track info and recommendations.

[Lxsx]

Hi Martin

I was originally planning to be there and take some photos (without taking the lotus), now I guess I'll need to bring mine along!😆

[wilchelus]

2 hours ago, Martin Duursma said:

A bunch of us lotus guys will be at SMP on Sunday 24th at the NSW Supersprint, I'll be running in a 430 cup. Come along and we'd be happy to share track info and recommendations.

Awesome.  I'll try to make time to stop by.  I'll be at the PCNSW Supersprint tomorrow, just taking it easy and getting a feel for the car.  I've not really had much seat time in the Lotus and I'm a little nervous tbh.  I normally try to take a few long twisty drives, and do a couple of motorkhana's in a car before I take it to a sprint.  I've just not been able to make time this time around.

I have a feeling that the car's front end doesn't bite as well as I'm use to, and tends towards push understeer given the little drives I have done.  But I'm not sure.  I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

 

2 hours ago, Lxsx said:

Hi Martin

I was originally planning to be there and take some photos (without taking the lotus), now I guess I'll need to bring mine along!😆

Very cool.  Make sure to say hi if you see me about

[jep]

Wil, you are clearly well red. Fab. I hope you love it as much as I do my Lotus.

Justin

[wilchelus]

Had an awesome time at the track yesterday getting a feel for the car and hassling some mates in Porsches.  I even got to drive on the track at the same time as my partner.  Flew by her twice.

I started the day trying out Sport mode, and slowly seeing how the car felt and reacted.  I found myself saying, "wow" out aloud often after taking a few corners.  The attitude change the car has with what are seemingly minuscule input changes is shocking.  I love it. 

By the end of the day I was leaving it in Race. Had so much fun.  Wasn't pushing the car at all, but still ended up at the pointy end of Group 3.

Had quite a few guys come and take a look at the car.  Many commented on how it sounded and how it looked out on track.  Many were shocked that it was "stock" and unmodified. 

One of my close friends even got out his temperature gun and checked the brakes at the end of each session.  The Boxsters were running at 350+ degrees Celsius on the fronts, and around 160+ degrees C on the rears.  The Exige, 160'ish degrees Celsius at all four corners.  I have a feeling that this car will definitely be cheaper to run than any of the Porsches.

One thing I really need is harnesses.  I regret not having the SSC guys install them before I took delivery.  The few times I decided to lean on the brakes a bit saw me holding myself off the steering wheel, which is never good.  

I don't think I've ever had as much fun at the track, period.  

Hopefully I get to get away today and meet up with @Martin Duursma, and a few of the other guys.  I have a few things to get done before I can get out.  

Lining up on the dummy grid

Heading out on track

Hassling some Porsches

The wife

 

Last photos of the day before we went home, spent, but extremely happy.

I'm in love with this car, and can't wait for my next track day.

 

Oh, one thing I ended up losing was the little rubber grommet that blocks the front hole for the tow hook.  Anyone know if this is a problem?  Or where I can get a new one?

 

[Akajak]

On 12/03/2019 at 22:09, GuyT said:

Lovely choice.  Just put a deposit down on something pretty similar.  I've got Nitrons and all of the carbon bits (inc seats) but I don't have the carbon intakes.

Nor me, haven’t seen one from stock with them

[Martin Duursma]

Glad you enjoyed the car at SMP. Was there today and did a PB even through it was around 32 degrees. The PB was in the morning before the temps hit the 30's. Had another Porsche driver come and chat to me today after he saw the 430 Cup in action, think he'll be buying a Lotus soon...

 

[wilchelus]

I'm disappointed that I couldn't get to SMSP today to say Hello.  One of my friends from the Porsche Club knows you.  He told me that he knows of a car similar to mine that lives near him.  I was telling him the story of how I drove a laser blue 2013 Exige V6 S that I was about to buy instead of my car, but didn't due to some unexpected health issues coming about.

I think you might know the car pretty well

It was sold while I was sick. 

But it worked out for the best.  When I saw it was sold I emailed Lee, and after a few phone calls with Lee, and more emails I ended up with the Sport 410.

Congrats on the PB!  I was checking Natsoft throughout the day. 

I was taking it easy (it was only the 3rd time I had driven the car and the 1st time at the track) and was surprised at running consistent 1:50 (when out of traffic) around GP circuit yesterday.  It also became a hot day.  These cars are amazing.  I'm itching to get out on track again so I can start to push.

I definitely want to meet up and talk Lotus with you.

[Dan.G]

I'd be tempted to slap a silver stripe down the centre of that with maybe black outline or something. Reckon that would set that off.

Looks tiny against the porkers but definitely better looking

[wilchelus]

Lots of the guys from the Porsche Club came over to have a look and ask a few questions between each session.  Lots of people commented on how it looked and sounded on track, many were shocked when I mentioned everything was stock from the factory.

[Tex]

Would have been even more shocked with this power upgrade 😂

https://www.komo-tec.com/en/lotus-exige/mk3-toyota-sport-410cup-430/power-phases/618/power-upgrade-sport-ex475-60hp/80nm-for-exige-sport-410

[Akajak]

Wow; how about the gearbox, would it stand up to the extra power??