It was already a machine of uncompromising performance and unparalleled road-handling abilities. The Lotus Exige S, a lightweight, high performance two-seater, packed a supercharged engine, highly engineered chassis and precious little else.
After all, weight is the enemy of speed, and by keeping it down one can create a faster vehicle. If there's one company that knows a thing or two about this philosophy, it's Lotus.
With the weight saving goal in full swing, the resulting vehicle was one that was plainly catered to drivers who planned to go racing. In the hands of a skilled operator, the Exige would keep up to the worlds best on a track.
The Norfolk based carmaker has recently taken the dynamically flawless machine to the next level with a GT3 designated concept. Mike Kimberley, CEO at Group Lotus PLC explains. "The Exige GT3 concept road car is a fantastic showcase product from our race car performance division, Lotus Sport. The car's racing background becomes immediately obvious from its aggressive stance, extreme width of rear track and innovative three-dimensional rear wing. The foundation of all Lotus products is phenomenal handling and ride characteristics, but the Exige GT3 takes these into another dimension altogether where supreme road holding and outrageous acceleration come evenly matched with sensational stopping ability."
Power comes from a built up Toyota four cylinder engine. At just 1.8 litres displacement, it utilizes VVTi and an Eaton M62 roots-style supercharger to net 271 horsepower at 8000 rpm. Thrust is delivered through a six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels, and traction control is also fitted.
We could refrain from spouting performance figures like an over-enthusiastic teenaged gear-head.
But we won't.
With its 271 horsepower engine and lightweight structure, the Exige can sprint to 60mph in under 4 seconds, with 100mph coming up in under 10 seconds.
Electronically limited top speed is 160 mph.
photo:Lotus
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After all, weight is the enemy of speed, and by keeping it down one can create a faster vehicle. If there's one company that knows a thing or two about this philosophy, it's Lotus.
With the weight saving goal in full swing, the resulting vehicle was one that was plainly catered to drivers who planned to go racing. In the hands of a skilled operator, the Exige would keep up to the worlds best on a track.
The Norfolk based carmaker has recently taken the dynamically flawless machine to the next level with a GT3 designated concept. Mike Kimberley, CEO at Group Lotus PLC explains. "The Exige GT3 concept road car is a fantastic showcase product from our race car performance division, Lotus Sport. The car's racing background becomes immediately obvious from its aggressive stance, extreme width of rear track and innovative three-dimensional rear wing. The foundation of all Lotus products is phenomenal handling and ride characteristics, but the Exige GT3 takes these into another dimension altogether where supreme road holding and outrageous acceleration come evenly matched with sensational stopping ability."
Power comes from a built up Toyota four cylinder engine. At just 1.8 litres displacement, it utilizes VVTi and an Eaton M62 roots-style supercharger to net 271 horsepower at 8000 rpm. Thrust is delivered through a six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels, and traction control is also fitted.
We could refrain from spouting performance figures like an over-enthusiastic teenaged gear-head.
But we won't.
With its 271 horsepower engine and lightweight structure, the Exige can sprint to 60mph in under 4 seconds, with 100mph coming up in under 10 seconds.
Electronically limited top speed is 160 mph.
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photo:Lotus