MANILA, Philippines – Beauty of a beast
Saving the Best for last, the new Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition is a fitting completion to the trilogy of Lotus 50th celebration editions.
Based on the most extreme Exige to date, the Sport 350, the new special edition adds a number of lightweight, performance-enhancing features, as well as unique paint and interior options as standard.
With a supercharged 345 hp 3.5-liter V6 and weighing 77kg less than the Exige S, the new Exige 350 Special Edition accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 274 km/h.
The car receives a new front access panel cover, lightweight carbon-fiber sports seats, forged alloy wheels, and a Lithium ion battery as standard to keep kerb weight at a minimum. A choice of four colors—Essex Blue, Old English White, Dark Metallic Grey, or Motorsport Black, each with contrasting stripes—help the Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition stand out, while the interior offers the choice between black leather or Alcantara upholstery with bespoke contrast stitching.
Helping to celebrate the company’s 50 years in Norfolk, the special edition coupe is limited to 50 examples, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Like the already sold out Evora 400 Hethel Edition and Elise 250 Special Edition, this Exige is built to mark 2016 as this anniversary year.
To reflect its enthusiast-oriented personality, the Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition is only available with a slick, six-speed manual gearbox. A nice aesthetic touch is the distinctive exposed gear-change mechanism, which perfectly embodies Lotus’ lightweight ethos. Employing machined and cast aluminum components, the linkage uses precision engineering to deliver faster, more precise gear changes. Stopping power is provided by AP Racing four-piston brake calipers.
The new sculptured front access panel improves airflow exiting the car’s horizontally mounted radiator and the lightweight louvered tailgate improves engine cooling. The rear wing, combined with the flat underside and rear diffuser, help contribute to the 42kg of downforce generated at 160 km/h.
The Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition also features Lotus’ Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) which, selected via a dashboard switch, provides ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings. Proportionally increasing throttle response, lowering traction slip thresholds and removing understeer recognition, it allows enhanced control before the system intervenes. DPM also utilizes an engine exhaust bypass valve at mid-to-high engine speeds, increasing throttle responsive in both ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’ settings.
The new car retains the Exige Sport 350’s excellent suspension setup, including firmer dampers and optimized geometry to deliver more responsive handling. Key weight-saving features, including the louvered tailgate, not only cut weight but also lower the car’s center of gravity, contributing to its sharpened dynamics.
In addition to the special interior, Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition customers will enjoy cruise control and floor mats as standard. An integrated in-car entertainment system can also be specified, including iPod connectivity and Bluetooth functionality along with full carpets and enhanced sound insulation.