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Lotus' Hethel facility marks 50 years of car production this year, and following on from limited edition Elise and Evora models the Exige 350 Special Edition completes the triumvirate. The formula is a simple one: add lightness.
A 26kg reduction compared to the regular Exige Sport 350 (itself no fatty) means a kerbweight of 1,099kg. This is achieved by the fitment of some tasty bits like carbon fibre seats, a lithium-ion battery, and forged wheels which hide AP Racing calipers and lighter brake discs. Four special colours can be chosen - Essex Blue, Old English White, Dark Metallic Grey and Motorsport Black, with some contrasting off-centre racing stripes.
Mechanically there's no changes to the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 engine, so you still get 345hp and the ability to hit 100km/h in under four seconds from standstill. Handling promises to be even more engaging, and the drop in weight along with the 42kg of downforce generated at 160km/h has no doubt contributed to a time of 1 minute 28.9 seconds around the Hethel test track.
With only 50 examples being produced, you'd best get in quick if you have £61,900 (around €70k) burning a Lotus-shaped hole in your pocket. Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales states: "The Lotus Exige is the quickest point-to-point sports car on the road; nothing can match its levels of accessible performance and grip. It's lightweight, responsive and exceedingly fast, with the purity expected of a Lotus. It is a real beast that needs taming but it won't bite back."
"This Exige 350 Special Edition joins the Evora and Elise editions that we have already produced to celebrate our half century in Hethel and our connection to Norfolk. Judging by the demand for the other models, I expect that the Lotus Exige 350 Special Edition will sell out quickly as it combines exclusiveness and limited production wrapped up in a great design."