What's the news?
The launch of any new Lotus is an event for celebration, even if it's not one that converts to a submarine, but this newest version of the Exige, the 410, is especially welcome. It's designed to be a middle-ground between the basic Exige 350 and the hardcore Exige Cup 430 and draws on the experience of building the track-focused 430 model. Lotus says that it's "designed to be the ultimate road drive, unrivalled in its class." Sounds good to us...
So, the Exige 410 basically gets the same chassis settings as the Cup 430, and has a recalibrated supercharged 3.5 V6 engine (which, in some dim and distant universe, also powers the Toyota Camry) which pumps out 410hp at 7,000rpm and has 420Nm of torque from 3,000rpm. It also gets the oil-cooler and beefed-up clutch from the Cup model, and a gear shift with an exposed linkage in the cabin.
Combined with a dry weight of just 1,054kg, that means a 0-100km/h time of just 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 290km/h (that's for the coupe version, the less-aerodynamically smooth convertible model will be a little slower at the top end).
Better still, thanks to sharing some of the aero package from the Cup 430, the Exige Sport 410 actually develops 150kg of proper downforce (60kg at the front, 90kg at the rear), thanks in part to new carbon fibre air curtains and front splitter.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc said: "With every new Lotus we look to move the bar higher and apply technology and development ideas drawn from top-of-the-range models. Our agility as a company means that the lessons learnt today can quickly be incorporated into the cars of tomorrow and the Exige Sport 410 is a perfect example of this. We have taken the Exige Cup 430, the ultimate track-centric Exige, and developed it into the perfect road orientated sports car, ensuring that we stay ahead of rivals when it comes to cars that deliver a truly engaging analogue driving experience."
To keep up that Lotus reputation for handling, the Exige 410 gets adjustable Nitron dampers all-round, as well as adjustable anti-roll bars from Eibach. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (285/30 ZR18 rear and 215/45 ZR17 front) provide the grip and traction (and are 20mm wider at the back than at the front) and braking is by two-piece J-hook brake discs and forged four-p;iston calipers provided by AP.
Optionally, you can have a titanium exhaust which strips another 10kg from the kerb weight, plus lots of optional carbon fibre goodies, and if you fancy venturing out on track, there are such items as electrical cut-off and fire extinguisher controls, airbag deletion, a non-airbag steering wheel, 4-point harnesses and a dealer fit FIA compliant roll cage.
Prices start from a fairly chunky STG£85,600 in the UK, and that's before options, so figure on spending at least €170,000 to land one here. Could be worth it, though...