Lotus Exige Sport 240

Introduced at the Sydney Motor Show last year the special edition Lotus Exige Sport 240 was conceived and designed by Lotus Cars Australia. With power improved to 179kW, it also marks the first production car in Australia fitted with driver adjustable stand alone traction control, similar to the systems currently used in Formula 1. "Designed specifically for Australia, we are excited and proud to add this bespoke Exige to our existing range." said Jonathan Stretton, Sales and Marketing Manager of Lotus Cars Australia. "Cars like the Exige Sport 240 show our passion and commitment to the Australian market." "This Exige Sport 240 will only be available in Australia. We have worked with the Lotus factory in the UK to select specific styling and performance parts based on what we know will improve performance, but also taking into account customer feedback and current trends in this market. "The Exige Sport 240 is a car entirely comfortable on the road for everyday use. Take it to the track and it will be blisteringly quick and will outpace cars two or three times the price," Stretton added. Tuned with more power, bigger brakes, body mods, two bespoke colours, interior changes and limited edition badging, the Exige Sport 240 is the most exclusive Exige to hit Australian Lotus showrooms.

Just six of the Exige Sport 240 were initially available in launch colours of Blaze Orange or Sapphire Black, each with a special edition interior plaque. The Blaze Orange model features black highlights, including front splitter, rear wing end plates, wheels and a rear beaver panel infill around the rear lights. The Sapphire Black model features a chrome orange front splitter and rear wing end plates. Both models feature lightweight Lotus Sport forged five-spoke OZ alloy wheels. The Blaze Orange car has wheels finished in black with the Sapphire Black using silver. This is the first time this wheel design has featured on an Australian model. Also for the first time in Australia, the signature Exige roof scoop extends forward from the engine compartment to the top of the windscreen to supply an increased volume of air to the intercooler, whilst also giving the car more visual presence. Special Exige Sport 240 badging mark the exclusive model's exterior. As the name suggests, power output is 179kW, a 10 percent improvement over the Exige S. Torque also increases from 215Nm to 230Nm. Upgraded fuel injectors and a new ECU allow the supercharged engine to reach greater heights.

The engine is a 1.8-litre supercharged intercooled four-cylinder. Features include twin overhead camshafts,16 valves and VVTL-i variable cam timing and lift, along with a distinct, characteristic supercharger whine. A six-speed close ratio C64 gearbox is standard and has been upgraded with a heavy duty clutch kit including a strengthened clutch and pressure plate. Putting this extra power to the ground is assured through mechanical and electronic traction aids. A torque sensing limited slip differential is standard on the Exige Sport 240, the first time it has been offered as factory equipment on a Lotus in Australia. The Sport 240 will also be fitted with Lotus Sport adjustable traction control. Developed from the Lotus Sport UK GT3 motorsport program, the advanced electronic system utilises a driver adjustable control knob to dial in one of 18 preset levels of traction control intervention. This allows for the ultimate in driver control in any road condition, wet or dry. This system also utilises electronic launch control where the driver can dial in the desired revs, floor the throttle and it will hold at the determined point until the clutch is released for perfect starts every time. Performance figures are equally impressive with 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds, 0-160km/h in 9.9 seconds and an estimated top speed of 249km/h.

Recommended retail price for the exclusive Exige Sport 240 is $149,990.