Lotus' Dark Side: The Exclusive Lotus Exige Scura
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SYDNEY – October 27, 2009: Lotus Cars unveiled its latest special edition: the Exige Scura, so called due to its dramatic matt black and carbon fibre theme, at the Tokyo International Motorshow on 21st of October 2009.
Translated as ‘dark’ from Italian, the name ‘Scura’ reflects the stealth character of this already fierce looking Lotus and its stunning soft-feel matt black paint finish. Limited to just 35 cars globally, this Exige evokes a desire to ‘indulge your dark side’. This is a serious looking car and enhancements to performance and a reduction in weight from the production level Exige S means that the Exige Scura demands to be driven by a serious driver.
Contrasting high gloss ‘Phantom Black’ triple stripes run the length of the car and offer a stunning distinction to the main matt black finish of the bodywork. A carbon fibre front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side air-scoops and rear spoiler provide a weight saving and an aesthetic enhancement to the car.
Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars said: “The Exige Scura is a strong and aggressive vehicle which offers an adrenaline fuelled experience and is a real head-turner! Our Exige customers choose Lotus because we deliver thrilling performance and dynamic design and this special edition fits the bill on both counts.”
Continuing the dark ‘Scura’ appearance into the interior, carbon fibre is used extensively to compliment the exterior theme and reduce weight. The seats and centre console are crafted from carbon fibre and the handbrake and gearknob have a special anodised treatment which leaves the metal with an anthracite colour finish. All carbon fibre components have been beautifully finished in high-gloss clear lacquer allowing the weave to remain exposed which gives the cabin a raw and racy ambiance.
Whilst there is no doubt that this is a visually stunning car, the Exige Scura is not just about its looks – it begs to be taken on track, and its racing character encompasses poise, power and technology to make it a serious contender. Equipped with the most powerful engine in the Exige range and generating 260PS (191kW), the Exige Scura achieves a top speed around 245km/h and reaches 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds.
Other equipment fitted as standard to boost the Exige Scura’s track credentials include:
Roger Becker, Vehicle Engineering Director, highlighted the performance of the Exige Scura, “There are very few cars in the world that turn in the performance of the Exige Scura without the penalty of very high fuel consumption and emissions. As with all Lotus sportscars we offer the best of both worlds – a zero to 100 km/h time of just over four seconds and a CO2 figure of 199g/km; all this is down to light weight and a strict adherence to Lotus’ core brand values.”
Considering the performance on offer, the Exige Scura boasts impressive all around fuel economy with an Official European Combined Cycle figure of 8.5 litres/100 km and 6.5 litres/100km on the Official European Extra Urban Cycle and emissions of 199g/km of CO2.
The Lotus Exige Scura is priced at $139,990 in Australia, plus dealer delivery and statutory government charges. Lotus is making only a handful of the 35 Lotus Exige Scura’s available for international territories and several of these cars have already been committed to other markets.
This special edition will is available on the same basis in Japan and is known as the ‘Lotus Exige Stealth’.
