RARE LOTUS ON OFFER IN SHANNONS SPRING AUCTION

A dark-themed, limited-edition are very rare Lotus Exige is up for grabs at Shannons next timed online auction, which runs from 8 to 15 November.

Back in 2009, Lotus used the Tokyo Motor Show to unveil a specially spec’d, trimmed and finished version of their Exige - the ‘Scura’. Taken from the Italian word for ‘dark’ the Scura was identified by its matte black paint scheme, broken by a body-length triple stripe in gloss ‘Phantom Black’, with further gloss black striping on the flanks.

This finish, combined with black wheels and raw carbon fibre on areas like the front splitter, rear spoiler, oil cooler vanes and engine air ducts, meant the only non-monochrome element of the Scura’s exterior was the traditional yellow and green Lotus badging.

Inside, the Scura was treated to more carbon fibre in areas like the seats (minimally trimmed in Alcantara) and centre console, while an anodised treatment of the gear shifter and handbrake lever leant these items an anthracite finish.

The extensive use of carbon fibre and minimalist interior trim meant the Exige Scura weighed just 925kg, but retaining things like the interior mirror, sunvisors, mudflaps and battery cover meant it wasn’t quite as light as the 890kg Exige Cup 260.

The engine was the same as that model, though; a 1.8-litre supercharged Toyota four-cylinder producing 191kW and 236Nm.

When combined with the standard six-speed manual transmission, this tuned, mid-mounted engine could propel the Scura from 0 to 100km/h in approximately 4.1 seconds and on to a top speed of around 245km/h. Standard launch control, traction control and two-way adjustable Öhlins dampers allowed all that power to be optimised, while 308mm front and 282mm rear disc brakes with 4-piston (front) and 2-piston (rear) calipers reined it in.

One of the rarest road-legal models ever released by Lotus, just 35 examples of the Exige Scura were built, with the car on offer through Shannons this November number 22 of that total.

When new, the Scura’s local asking price of $139,990 (+ ORCs) was a premium over the Exige Cup 260 it was based on. This 2010-plated example is one of the very few examples in Australia, if not the only one, as that 35-unit production was for the world, not just Australia.

With just 4,727km on the odometer at time of listing, the car’s paint, body and interior is described as being in near-new condition. On full Victorian registration for many years, but to be sold unregistered, the Scura has had an Alpine stereo fitted, the booklet for which is included in the sale, along with the Lotus owner’s manual and supplements in the original wallet.

Described as the ultimate machine for long weekend drives and a fantastic trackday weapon, this Lotus carries a guiding range of $110,000 - $140,000, reflecting its rarity and desirability.

If your budget won’t stretch to that, a 2002 Elise 111S roadster in the same auction has a guiding range of $45,000 - $55,000.