TODAY 25 MAY Exclusive Lotus News

...however it can also display time, trip distance or a digital speed in the opposite calibration of the speedometer, in km/h or mph. Warning symbols are 'secret until lit', keeping the instrumentation free from visual clutter and distraction until necessary. Gear change shift lights similarly remain hidden until required, with three sequential red lights, flashing simultaneously just before the rev limiter. The 2010 Exige continues with the unified key and alarm/immobiliser system with central locking, with the famous Lotus roundel. The key features separate locking/unlocking buttons and a third for a panic alarm.

The Exige S optional Touring Pack includes:

Full leather or Microfibre suede-effect interior

Leather trimmed centre console

Leather handbrake gaiter

Sound system iPod* connection

Full carpets, with embroidered logo

Auxiliary driving lights

Noise insulation paneling

Aluminium retractable Cup holder

The Exige S optional Sport Pack includes:

Bilstein sports dampers

Lotus switchable traction control system

Adjustable front anti-roll bar

T45 roll bar, with integrated harness mounts

ProBax Sports seats

The Exige S optional Performance Pack includes:

308mm front cross-drilled and vented discs with AP Racing four piston callipers

Uprated front and rear brake pads

Full-length upsized roof scoop

Variable slip traction control and launch control system

Uprated clutch plate and cover

Uprated vehicle performance through enhanced power and torque delivery

With the Exige Performance Pack, the power is raised to 179kW at 8000 rpm courtesy of a Magnuson/Eaton M62 supercharger, new faster flowing injectors and higher torque clutch system and an upsized roof scoop to feed more air to the supercharger intercooler system. This hike in power, together with an increase in torque to 230Nm at 5500rpm from the standard 215Nm at 5500rpm, helps whisk the Performance Pack Exige S from 0-100km/h in 4.77 seconds, and on to 160km/h in 11.97 seconds. Top speed rises to 232km/h.

The power and torque of the 179kW engine is increased across the rev range giving even more flexibility. Despite these high levels of performance the fuel economy is impressive with a new combined figure of 8.5 litres per 100km and 199g/km CO2 - reduced from 9.1l/100km and 216 g/km CO2 for the 2009 Model Year Exige.

Of course the increased power and straight-line performance are only a couple of elements of the Performance Pack option. The clutch is uprated and a clutch damper fitted; there are thicker, 308mm diameter cross-drilled and vented discs at the front clamped by AP Racing four-piston callipers; the standard brake pads are replaced by uprated pads.

The Performance Pack also includes the Exige GT3-race developed launch control with variable traction control. From the driver's seat, the system allows the selection of revs for the optimum standing start in all road conditions. A clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch/transmission engagement to minimise stresses to the drivetrain.

Above 10km/h, the launch control hands over duties to the traction control system, which can dial in the amount of rear-tyre slip retardation required.

The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from an optimum seven-percent slip to completely off, indicated by a reading on the dash.

The beauty of all the packs is that they can be combined so a customer can select the additional interior and exterior equipment from the Touring pack with the sport-focused equipment from the Sport pack.

A torque-sensing limited slip differential is available as stand-alone options, along with options such as Bilstein one-way and height-adjustable adjustable dampers and lightweight forged alloy wheels.

* iPod is a trademark of Apple inc.