Lotus has applied its Club Racer principles of lighter and more focused to the already potent Exige S, resulting in a quicker version of its mid-engined track-day monster.
Exterior
The Lotus Exige S Club Racer can only be had as a coupé, with 42kg of aerodynamic downforce provided at 160km/h thanks to the front splitter, rear wing and flat undertray. It's lighter than the 1,176kg Elise S at 1,161kg all-in, due to a lightweight battery, lightweight console and seats within, and lighter doors too. Three standard colours are available (Metallic White, Exige Orange or Metallic Yellow) alongside Matte Black as a cost option - and like the recently announced Elise 20th Anniversary Special Edition, the detailing is all matte black. This includes the front splitter, rear wing, front access panel, roof, wing mirrors and rear transom. There's a small Club Racer decal above the side indicators.
Interior
The aforementioned centre console comes in the exterior body colour of your choice, while the lighter sports seats can be trimmed in either leather or Alcantara. Colour-coded stitching on the seats and door cards, and colour-coded seat hoops mark out the Club Racer, as do the decals on the dashboard and stereo blanking plate. There's a sports steering wheel, while options run to air conditioning and a CD/radio with USB and NVH Pack.
Mechanicals
Powered by the familiar 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine, the Club Racer is not actually any faster in a straight line than the Exige S, going by the stats (0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds, 274km/h top speed), but with 15kg less weight to lug around and that added downforce, the Exige S CR will be quicker through the bends and also on track. Additionally, the traction control can be adjusted through three modes (Drive, Sport and Race) via a driver select switch fitted as standard; Sport and Race both sharpen throttle response. Lightweight two-piece brakes are a cost option and - should you care in the slightest - the Club Racer's eco-stats are 10.1 litres/100km (28mpg) combined economy and CO2 emissions of 235g/km.
Anything else?
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc, said: "Factoring the Club Racer ethos into the Exige enhances the track-focussed potential of this important model. It encompasses our legendary benchmark in handling, with lightweight and efficient construction and that we will always put a peerless and pure driving experience first."
Available to order now, Irish prices for the Exige S Club Racer can be confirmed via Lotus in the UK. It joins the Elise 220 Cup and the forthcoming Evora 400 in a niche range of focused Lotus models.