Source WCF
Lotus uncovered the new Lotus Exige S, a facelift for the 2010 model year. The car was put on display at the Geneva Motor Show this week. A redesign is not all in store for the Exige S. The company claims emissions have been reduced to 199 grams of CO2 per km, with a combined fuel economy increase of 8.5 liters per 100 km, or roughly 28 mpg. Fuel economy is even better when calculated using the "Official European Extra Urban Cycle," which rates the car at 6.5L/100km, or about 36 mpg.

Looks are improved with a redesigned front end, and a larger, drag-reducing rear wing. In front, you will see a larger center air intake that delivers to the radiator, and two larger side air intakes under the headlights to feed the twin oil coolers. Lotus has also brought out a new light composite splitter to make the car more aerodynamic. In back, you may recognize the wing from the Lotus Exige GT3 concept shown two years ago at Geneva. With the wing and its rear-end plate mount, the car gets about 42 kg of downforce at 160 km/h.

As Group Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley points out, the 240 hp car's aerodynamic improvements lead to more efficiency. "The same technology that makes a lightweight car a high performer also makes it efficient - how many cars have performance figures of 0 - 100 km/h in 4.77 secs but produce only 199 g/km CO2?" he said in a press release. Lotus has an available instrument package for the car, which includes a hi-def LCD screen that displays systems information for the driver. Shift lights are still present, as are dual front airbags. U.S. purchasers also get a tire pressure monitoring system as standard. A touring package, with full leather interior, iPod connection, and auxiliary lights is available. So to is the sport package, with Bilstein dampers, traction control, and adjustable rollbar. The performance pack brings better brakes, a big roof scoop, and better performance. This last package brings the car up to nearly 240 hp.

 

Seems like a pretty solid mid-cycle refresh for the Exige. I'm not sure about that wing though. The thing I liked about the old Exige wing was that it moved up with the hatch and out of the way when you opened up the engine cover. It doesn't look like this one will do that. It looks great, but I just think it's missing some of the functionality of the old one.

 

Oh good, they made it heavier and uglier.

 

Exactly what I was thinking . . .

 

I actually like this! nice, but not sure about the wing...

 

Exige looked perfect before.