THE finish is close to for Lotus’ present sportscar portfolio after the British model this week revealed the Ultimate Version variations of its Elise and Exige fashions, 80 of that are as a consequence of arrive right here later within the yr providing elevated efficiency, extra visible aptitude and added exclusivity.
Set to be inbuilt restricted numbers, the Ultimate Version collection will consist of 5 totally different variants – two Elises and thee Exiges – with the native allocation break up reportedly to be confirmed in coming weeks.
Described by Lotus as being the “pinnacle” of the Elise and Exige mannequin traces, the Ultimate Version line-up consists of the Elise Sport 240, Elise Cup 250, Exige Sport 390, Exige Sport 420 and Exige Cup 430, all of which have upped the ante in comparison with their predecessors.
Within the case of the series-opening Elise Sport 240, 240 horsepower equates to 179kW whereas torque from the supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine is rated at 244Nm.
Priced from $97,990 plus on-road prices, drive is distributed to solely to the rear wheels through a six-speed guide transmission with 0-100km/h handled in 4.5 seconds whereas the highest velocity is pegged at 245km/h.
Weighing in at simply 922kg, the Elise Sport 240 rolls on staggered 10-spoke Anthracite cast alloy wheels (16-inch entrance, 17-inch rear) shod with Yokohama V105 tyres with the burden in a position to be diminished right down to 898kg when fitted with a myriad of optionally available carbon physique panels.
Normal gear features a new digital instrument cluster, Ultimate Version construct plaque and exterior decals, new flat-bottom leather-based and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, new seat trim and distinctive seat stitching.
Carrying a $12,000 premium over the Sport 240, the Cup 250 ($109,990) doesn’t add any further creature comforts to the equation, but it surely does add an additional 4kW and a heap extra go-faster gear together with an aggressive aero equipment, Bilstein suspension, adjustable sway bars and grippier tyres.
With the additional aero bits, Lotus says the Elise Cup 250 generates 66kg of downforce at 160km/h and 155kg at its 248km/h high velocity with 0-100km/h taking 4.3 seconds.
As ever, stepping as much as the Exige vary not solely brings a major enhance in energy and efficiency however value too; with the Sport 390 opening issues up from $149,950.
Residing below the bonnet of the Sport 390 is the acquainted supercharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine tuned on this case to provide 296kW/420Nm, all of which remains to be despatched to the rear wheels.
A six-speed guide is the one transmission selection.
Weighing in at 1138kg, the Exige Sport 390 dispatches 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and can push onto a high velocity of 277km/h.
All of these figures – moreover the burden – are elevated within the Sport 420 which screws an additional 17kW/5Nm out of the force-fed V6 to spice up the outputs to 313kW/427Nm.
Checking in from $169,990, the Sport 420 shaves three tenths off the Sport 390’s 0-100km/h time to cease the clock in 3.4s and lengthen the highest velocity as much as 290km/h.
Doing extra than simply upping the efficiency ante, the additional outlay additionally nets the client a heap of chassis enhancements together with adjustable entrance and rear Eibach anti-roll bars, three-way adjustable Nitron dampers and AP Racing brakes.
The tyres are stepped up from Sport 390’s Michelin Pilot Sport 4s to Pilot Sport Cup 2s within the identify of enhanced cornering grip whereas the kerb weight has been diminished to 1110kg.
Lastly on the high quality sits the $209,990 Cup 430 which turns all the things beforehand talked about as much as 11.
On this guise, the blown V6 produces 321kW/440Nm which mixes with the 1098kg kerb weight to cease the 0-100km/h clock in 3.3s.
Because of its extra radical aero equipment, the Cup 430’s high velocity is definitely 10km/h decrease (280km/h) than the Sport 420’s nonetheless it generates extra downforce in any respect speeds.
Carbon-fibre has been used for the entrance splitter, entrance entry panel, roof, diffuser encompass, enlarged air-intake facet pods, one-piece tailgate and the rear wing.
Whereas the underpinnings are for essentially the most half the identical because the Sport 420’s – save for the revised steering arm geometry – the Cup 430 has been fitted with a complicated six-way traction management system to assist it extract most efficiency out of each the tyres and engine.
A titanium exhaust system additionally ups the aural stakes, even when the ability acquire is marginal.
In response to Lotus Automobiles Australia CEO Lee Knappett, the model is anticipating native demand for the Ultimate Editions to be sturdy.
“For the reason that finish of manufacturing announcement in January, we’ve began receiving enquiries to safe construct slots,” he stated.
Lotus didn’t promote a single car in January nonetheless it did handle to chalk up 59 gross sales final yr, the overwhelming majority of which (38) had been accounted for by the Exige.
2021 Lotus Elise pricing*
| Sport 240 Ultimate Version | $97,990 |
| Cup 250 Ultimate Version | $109,990 |
2021 Lotus Exige pricing*
| Sport 390 Ultimate Version | $149,950 |
| Sport 420 Ultimate Version | $169,990 |
| Cup 430 Ultimate Version | $209,990 |
*Excludes on-road prices
