Lotus has unveiled the 2012 Lotus Exige S at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new model is larger and features a 3.5-litre V6 engine. It also gets smooth new panel contours and a new DPM Lotus driving management program.
Weight in at just 1 080 kg and being powered by Evora S’ supercharged 3.5-litre V6 making 257 kW and 400 Nm, the Lotus Exige S has a staggering power to weight ratio.
While keeping most of its design theme from the previous model, there are a number of distinct clues that set it apart. The main of which being the slightly redesigned panels including a new face, headlights and single-piece nose. From the back, it’s completely revised. The taillights are recessed into a shallow panel which spreads the entire width of the rear end. There’s also a new spoiler moulded into the body work along with a big rear wing mounted on the rear deck.
The Exige S is fitted with high-performance Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres as standard and comes equipped with a Lotus DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) switch that allows the driver to change between three driving modes: Touring, Sport and DPM off. As an option, Lotus offers the Race Pack that adds a fourth driving mode setting along with a Launch Control and a more hardcore suspension tuning.
In addition to the Exige S, Lotus also used its Frankfurt stage to announce an Exige R-GT race car, which is designed to participate in the newly formed FIA GT category of the FIA Rally Championship. Powered by the same V6 engine as the road-going Exige S, significant changes have been made to the gearbox and the restrictors on the engine in order to control the power.
“With the new R-GT rules in rally, it’s a very interesting time for us to return to the sport,” said Lotus’ Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro. “Naturally our approach this time around will be different to when we won the championship three decades ago, but I think our philosophy is definitely the same, we want to compete and ultimately we want to win. Our new rally car, the Exige R-GT is a dream come true for those who are passionate about GT racing – this will be their car,” Berro added.
