New Lotus Exige S

Press Release

Engine Down-Sizing is key to the Exige S

One of the key demands of the automotive industry is to produce engines with not only low emissions and good fuel economy but also extremely good performance. These two demands for performance and economy are not normally compatible unless there is a significant change in the engine development strategy.

Lotus Engineering’s Powertrain Division, has been conducting extensive research into “engine downsizing”. Engine downsizing is the concept of using advanced technologies to enable a small engine to produce the power and torque of a much larger engine, with the obvious reduction in weight, fuel consumption and emissions.

Lotus has recognised that there are changing market and legislative demands in this area, and has developed a solution to the problem: supercharging a high compression ratio and high speed engine.

Lotus Engineering had to ensure that there were minimal changes to the normally aspirated 2ZZ-GE engine, which arrives fully dressed from Toyota for the Exige and the Elise 111 R. The lightweight 2ZZ-GE engine, with a compact metal matrix composite alloy cylinder block, is a perfect unit on which to conduct the necessary research, as it runs to a high 8500 rpm, with a very high compression ratio of 11.5:1. The only changes needed to be made to the engine were the addition of a low pressure supercharger (and the longer drive belt that this requires), the intercooler and a new intake manifold, plenum and induction system.

An electronic drive-by-wire throttle ensures the quickest engine response possible whilst keeping the emissions clean and as low as possible, to meet relevant legislative demands.

The Roots-type supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine’s oil) is run from the crankshaft, and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation.

Charge air (air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through an air to air intercooler (the cooling air enters via the redesigned roof scoop) before being fed into the engine itself. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes making sure that the bends in these ducts are not too tight, to the benefit of throttle response and efficiency.

The whole vehicle has been tested extensively around the world in hot and cold climates as well at renowned proving grounds and testing facilities.

The Lotus T4e Engine Management System.

The Lotus T4e Engine Management system is used in the Lotus Exige S. This engine management system has been programmed to optimise the supercharged engine.

The lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) is fitted with the closest ratios and gearset afforded by the transmission. The gearbox offers a fast, precise and light gearshift, ensuring drivers have total control and flexibility to apply the power exactly as and when required.

Equipment and Options

ProBax Seats
ProBax seats help to significantly improve the postural position of the driver and passenger by maintaining the natural curvature of the spine, so improving comfort and improving the body’s blood flow.

Touring Packs
The Touring Pack includes electric windows, black suede effect interior with leather highlights, full carpet set, high specification DAB Radio and CD/MP3 player, sound insulation, auxiliary front driving lamps and interior stowage net.

The Super Touring Pack includes the contents of the Touring Pack plus an upgraded interior trim with driver and passenger airbags, high specification leather covered steering wheel, front speakers located in the fascia top panel, engine start button, trinket tray stowage unit, cup holder, leather handbrake sleeve, leather handbrake gaiter and gear shift knob and embroidered logo premium floor mats.

Sports Packs
The Sports Pack includes switchable Lotus Traction Control (LTC) - see later for a full explanation of LTC. In addition, it is equipped with sports seats and a T45 steel roll-over hoop and harness bar for the aftermarket fitment of four point harnesses for track use only.

The Super Sports Pack includes the contents of the Sports Pack plus black coloured ultra lightweight seven-twin spoke forged (6.5J front, 7.5J rear) alloy wheels (giving an unsprung weight saving of 2.7 kg (6 lbs) for each front wheel and 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs) for each rear wheel – compared to the already lightweight cast wheels), track suspension with Eibach springs and Bilstein one-way adjustable dampers – with a single adjuster for bump and rebound – and adjustable ride height), adjustable front anti-roll bar and a double-shear rear traction control arm brace.

Stand alone options

Lotus Traction Control and Limited Slip Differential
A switchable Lotus Traction Control System (LTC) is available for the Exige S. The LTC works through the Lotus T4e Engine Management System to reduce power when required to maintain traction. Unlike many traction control systems, LTC has been tuned to complement the skills of the driver without taking over. The Lotus LTC is active above 8 km/h (5 mph) and operates much more quickly than many brake based systems. The system can be deactivated with an illuminated button, which is located adjacent to the gear lever. A Torsen type limited slip differential (LSD) is also available for tight and twisty driving (such as in auto tests). The LSD is only available if LTC has been specified and is not available by itself.

Air-conditioning
Air-conditioning is available as a cost option (standard in some markets) and weighs in at a featherweight 15 kg (~33 lbs).

A Comprehensive Range of Colours
The range of colours, from standard solid shades to metallic and fashionable lifestyle colours is available. Colours include black, shades of silver, shades of blue, a vivid Aspen White, non metallic British Racing Green, a hot Chilli Red, a high metallic Solar Yellow and a harmonious Autumn Gold.

The total number of colours available is 20, excluding the bespoke custom colours.

Market Positioning and Pricing
The Lotus Exige S, being a fully homologated vehicle for the markets in which it is sold, introduces a more powerful and higher performing series production variant of the Exige to the market. The rest of the Exige range consists of the 141 kW (189 hp, 192 PS) Exige, the Lotus Exige Cup 190 and its supercharged variant the Exige Cup 240 (both of which are developed and converted by Lotus Sport, the performance arm of Lotus Cars) and the Lotus Sport Exige GT3 (developed and built by Lotus Sport specifically for the FIA GT3 championships).

The Lotus Exige S is priced at:

UK: £33,995 including VAT (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price)
Mainland Europe: 44,147 Euros excluding individual market taxes (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price)
Japan: JYP 6,909,000 including tax (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price)

Market Availability

UK: March / April 2006
Mainland EU: April / May 2006
Japan and APac: May / June 2006

USA: There are currently no plans to launch the Exige S in the USA market