New Exige Sport 350

[Stephanie]

·        51 kg lighter than previous Exige S

·        345 hp and in excess of 300 hp/tonne

·        0-60 mph in 3.7 Seconds and top speed of 170 mph

·        Heritage Tartan interior and new colour and trim options

 

Hello everybody, what's your opinion about the new Exige ?

 

 

As the ultimate incarnation of the world famous Exige, Lotus has revealed the Sport 350, the latest version of the class-leading and award winning sports car, that’s lighter and faster than ever before.

The new Exige Sport 350 is the next model in the range to mark the reintroduction of the renowned ‘Sport’ naming designation. It joins the recently announced Lotus Elise Sport and Elise Sport 220 – delivering a lighter and even more performance-focused driving experience.

Concentrating on what Lotus does best, and with a focus on pure performance, the two-seater has been developed to deliver an unrivalled experience for the driver, being sharper and more direct than previous models. Drawing on the core elements that have made the Exige a firm favourite with driving enthusiasts, the Exige Sport 350 combines Lotus’ lightweight extruded aluminium chassis structure with muscular and aerodynamically efficient composite bodywork.

A product of Lotus’ ‘Lightweight Laboratory’, the Exige Sport 350 weighs just 1125 kg and has shed 51 kg compared to the previous model Exige S. This reduction in mass is the result of a thorough re-evaluation designed to deliver a pure driving experience.

Lotus engineers weighed every component in the previous Lotus Exige S in order to save weight, the result of which includes, amongst many other changes, the introduction of a louvered tailgate panel, a lighter battery, lightweight engine mounts, a lightweight centre console featuring an exposed gearshift mechanism, lighter HVAC pipework and the optimised use of sound insulation.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, commented: “The Lotus Exige is already regarded as one of the world’s best sports cars and a benchmark for performance and handling both on road and on track. With the Exige Sport 350 we took an already phenomenally quick car and made it even faster, more dynamic and more pure, perfectly demonstrating our Lotus design philosophy of ‘lighter and faster’.”

 

The 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine generates 345 hp and 295lbft of torque at 4500rpm, offering scintillating, progressive power to the road, while revised suspension tuning and wheel geometry contribute to un-matched vehicle dynamics and steering precision. Coupled with the car’s lower mass, this power and torque enables the Lotus Exige Sport 350 to accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds) before reaching a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h).

The manual gearbox has been heavily revised, giving more precise and quicker shifting. The gearshift mechanism uses light weight machined and cast aluminium components which are so technically aesthetically appealing they are no longer hidden within the transmission tunnel but exposed through an open-gate design, further reducing weight.

The Lotus Exige Sport 350 is also available with a 6-speed automatic option where drivers can change gears manually via forged aluminium paddles located behind the steering wheel, or rely on the gearbox’s fully automatic mode. The automatic gearbox control panel is integrated neatly into the centre console of the cockpit, with buttons for Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive. Up-shifts take just 240 milliseconds, with rapid downshifts accompanied by automatic throttle-blip (when in Sport mode).

When fitted with the optional automatic gearbox, the new Exige Sport 350 is slightly quicker for 0-62 mph (0-100km/h), clocking a time of 3.8 seconds against 3.9 seconds for the manual gearbox, due to electronically optimised gearshifts.

Replacing the previous car’s glass tailgate, the newly designed lightweight, strong and stiff, rear louvered tailgate not only helps lower the Exige’s centre of gravity, but also aids engine bay cooling – a feature first introduced on the Lotus Esprit Turbo in 1980.

The Exige Sport 350’s aerodynamic styling produces 42 kg of down force at 100 mph (160 km/h) with the rear wing and flat underside both contributing to its phenomenal aerodynamic performance and finely balanced handling.

The Exige Sport 350’s suspension, with firmer dampers and revised geometry, delivers more responsive handling and, combined with a lowered centre of gravity and four piston brake calipers, help it lap Lotus’ test track 2.5 seconds faster than the previous Exige S model, in a time of 1 minute 29.8 seconds. This makes it the first production Lotus ever to go sub 1 minute 30 seconds around the famed Hethel track.

Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) provides three discrete modes – ‘Drive’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ – with the latter offering increased levels of traction slip threshold, allowing wider drift angles before intervening. The system also opens the engine exhaust bypass valve at mid-to-high engine speeds. Both ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings increase throttle responsiveness.

New larger switches with improved haptics have been introduced for the DPM system (Sport and Race) with the headlights and rear fog lights mounted together with the vehicle’s new engine start button.

New trim packs introduce a heritage theme to the cabin with lightweight sports seats and door panels clad in red or yellow Tartan (leather or Alcantara interior trim options are also available). The Tartan theme was first introduced in 1976 in the Lotus Esprit S1 and was a bold statement originally in keeping with the fashion of the time and now fitting for the new Exige Sport 350.

Optional extras for the Exige Sport 350 include lightweight forged alloy wheels (reducing kerb weight by a further 5 kg), cross drilled and vented two-piece brake discs (shaving yet another 5 kg off the weight), black or yellow painted four-piston callipers, air conditioning, an in-car entertainment system and full carpet and sound insulation pack. Interior packs cover Alcantara, leather and Tartan options, for both seat and door trims. By selecting the lightweight options available the total weight of the Exige Sport 350 becomes a featherweight 1115 kg.

As standard, the front splitter, rear wing, front access panel, roof panel, wing mirrors and rear transom are finished in matt black to complement the car’s aggressive stance; with the option for these components to be painted in body colour at no additional cost.

Jean-Marc Gales continued, “Light weight is the most important aspect of our heritage and future Lotus cars will follow the direction of our most recently launched models, the Evora 400, Elise Sport and of course our latest Exige Sport 350, all of which are both lighter and faster than their predecessors. Over the last 15 years, successive versions of the Lotus Exige have beaten more expensive sports car rivals in media comparison tests and I expect the Exige Sport 350 to continue this. The best has just got better!”

The Lotus Exige Sport 350 goes on sale in Europe in February 2016 and will be available outside Europe, excluding North America from March 2016.

The Lotus Exige Sport 350 will also be available as a Roadster from March 2016.

Those wishing to register their interest in the new Lotus Exige Sport 350 should visit: http://www.lotuscars.com/lotus-exige-range.

 

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price

 

 

UK (Pound Sterling)	£55,900
Germany  (Euros)	€74,000
France (Euros)	€74,630
Italy (Euros)	€78,230
Japan (¥ Yen)	¥10,560,000

 

Technical Specification:

 

PERFORMANCE	MANUAL	AUTOMATIC
Max power	345 hp at 7000 rpm (350 PS) (258 kW)
Max torque	295 lbft at 4500 rpm (400 Nm)
0-60 mph	3.7 seconds	3.7 seconds
0-100 km/h	3.9 seconds	3.8 seconds
Max speed	170 mph (274 km/h)	162 mph (261 km/h)
Fuel Consumption mpg (l/100 km)
Urban Extra Urban Combined	19.5 (14.5) 37.2 (7.6) 28.0 (10.1)	21.1 (13.4) 39.8 (7.1) 30.1 (9.4)
CO2 emissions	235 g/km	219 g/km
Unladen weight	1125 kg	1130 kg

 

[Arun_D]

I'm liking the exposed gear linkage and new switchgear (On the assumption they're illuminated properly). I'd be keen to feel what the revised shift is like. If anything like the Evora 400, then great stuff.

Maybe the forged wheels would be a good addition for my Cup, in addition to the engine cover, which was definitely on the cards. 

[Kalli]

I had no idea this was being released. I feel a little bitter

That said, that gear tunnel isn't something i'd be comfortable driving with. It's already easy enough losing things in under the seat - let alone the gear tunnel!

[Stubox]

Liking the price, wheels, gear linkage, weight saving and engine cover .

Not liking the interior...at all. But nice spec on the car overall. I'm with Kalli on the losing things , I'm sure I'd jam some change in there, or gum it up having spilt my latte.

[Trevsked]

Now that is the nicest thing from Lotus I've seen for a while, nice little nod to the past with the Tartan trim and balanced that with up to date gear linkage and rear cover. Teamed with the forged wheels which in the metal look very good with the scaloped spokes, what's not to like.

 

Trevor.

[LF1]

Is that MSG they are promoting it in?

Forged wheels look good - aren't they just larger versions of the Elise Cup R ones (rebranded Team Dynamics), would like to try out the gear box, guessing it will be the same as the 400? Exposed linkage looks good, but it is crying out for something to get lost or wedged in there. Like they way they are showing illuminated buttons in the promo shots, that's something I hope can be a retro fit. I hope the new sport button remembers its setting when the ignition is turned off.

I'm still waiting on the 400 version though! Wonder if they will do an Exige Sport 350 Cup?

[Kalli]

Just you wait - those illuminated buttons will really annoy at night. Considering the dash doesn't dim at night, I can't see the buttons doing it. Albeit nice that they're buttons like the Evora 400 rather than the momentary switch it currently is. 

[Snoopy1969]

nice - but how does the Exige S Club racer fit in the range now?

[quantum2000]

9 minutes ago, Kalli said:

Just you wait - those illuminated buttons will really annoy at night. Considering the dash doesn't dim at night, I can't see the buttons doing it. Albeit nice that they're buttons like the Evora 400 rather than the momentary switch it currently is. 

I'm pretty sure the small button on the steering column near the ignition switch, will adjust the brightness of the instrument illumination. 

 

[jbs]

54 minutes ago, Stubox said:

Liking the price, wheels, gear linkage, weight saving and engine cover .

Not liking the interior...at all. But nice spec on the car overall. I'm with Kalli on the losing things , I'm sure I'd jam some change in there, or gum it up having spilt my latte.

Exactly how I feel about it.

[LF1]

2 minutes ago, quantum2000 said:

I'm pretty sure the small button on the steering column near the ignition switch, will adjust the brightness of the instrument illumination. 

 

That's to rotate through the information displayed on the dash, there's one on the current V6 for that.

[Kalli]

1 minute ago, quantum2000 said:

I'm pretty sure the small button on the steering column near the ignition switch, will adjust the brightness of the instrument illumination. 

 

To my knowledge that cycles the trip computer/total milage reading, rather than affect the lighting. I don't know of a way to reduce the brightness of the display.

[LF1]

I accidentally did something on our Elise once, turned the whole dash dark - could not see anything at night. Can't remember how i did it though - was trying to set the clock at the time (which I did not manage and to this day don't know how to).

[quantum2000]

Press it and hold it in, it cycles through the brightness levels

 

I

 

 

[Kalli]

On what option? If you do that on the trip reader, it'll just reset to zero.

[Stubox]

7 minutes ago, T3Jn said:

 - was trying to set the clock at the time (which I did not manage and to this day don't know how to).

I am so pleased its not just me! 

[diego]

is that green more punchy than MS green or just photoshop?

 

 

[LF1]

 

4 minutes ago, diego said:

is that green more punchy than MS green or just photoshop?

I noticed the website states Racing Green

[diego]

love the exposed gear selector ! start stop, brighter light buttons, that new green......

not so much the seats or wheels. looks like a modded S2 as opposed to something new/progressive.....

but im stumped here... 

why buy this over a cup360?

 

 

 

 

 

[Kalli]

Cup360 is a raw Exige - no radio, plumbed in extinguisher, no sound insulation etc. 

[diego]

ok ... but imo that's not a differentiation. things are getting a little blurred.....

this has had most insulation removed, has an aggressive camber and harder setup..... this and radio can be overcome w headphones as JP does in his CUP.

 

how much is this?

how much is a cup360?

cheers

 

 

 

[Gashead1105]

What I want to know is whether the new gear linkage mechanism is the same as the Evora 400's and, if it is, whether it can be retrofitted to my S (I don't want to have the exposed linkage though, I've already lost my phone down behind the seats a few times!)

[Neal H]

It's nice, but not enough to consider upgrading to if you already have one. It will be interesting to see how much of an improvement the new gearchange is. I personally don't like the exposed transmission tunnel.

I also don't like the plastic rear cover. It may be lighter than glass, but the glass looks better.

[diego]

thats because you are holding your phone and driving lol!

you wont lose anything down that linkage unless you are holding it and changing gear, its sealed at the bottom... i think its great from hethel that they expose this stuff ....  good on them.

lets not health and safety kill off choice....   

[Gashead1105]

Nope, never do that, I am just very clumsy! I don't mind how it looks to be fair, but I'm happy enough that mine doesn't have it. Hopefully the mechanism (if it really is an improvement) can be retrofitted. Incidentally, from reading the press release it looks like the car isn't actually available for another couple of months so I don't actually think my question will actually be answerable at this time.