Auto Trader NZ
Published 3 September 2020
But, at the same time, the Lotus Exige S and Exige S Coupe are now available with an optional self-shifting gearbox aimed at drivers who prefer the ability to have a racing car style paddle operated gearshift and the ease of use and convenience of self-shifting gearbox.
The six speed automatic gearbox has been specifically tailored to the extreme performance offered the Exige S, with a choice of ‘Sport’ or ‘Race’ mode defining the level of aggressiveness of the shift action. The new gearbox further sharpens straight line performance, clipping 0.1 second off the sprint to 100 kmh, dropping it to just 3.9 seconds. The automatic gearbox has no effect on the Exige’s epic ability to dispatch corners. On the Lotus test track at Hethel, which has been the birth place of some of the world’s most significant road and motorsport cars, the self-shifting Lotus Exige S records the same lap time as the manual car.
The driving is experience is further enhanced by not only providing smooth and intuitive gear shifts that optimises engine performance; it enables the drivetrain to offer an exhaust note that is entirely in tune with the Exige’s high performance character.
Previously an option, the Race Pack further hones the already razor sharp responses of the Exige S and enables the driver to further tailor the responses of the Exige S to particular road or race track conditions. The Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) system offers four different modes. Launch control for optimised starts is now standard, as is the exhaust bypass valve override for the true racing car sound and the suspension is optimised for the optional Pirelli Trofeo tyres.
“The standard fitment of the Race Pack to the Exige S for 2015 is a clear indication of what the owners want from the Exige S,” says Glen Sealey, General Manager of Australia and New Zealand. “They want a car that is the closest a road car is able to be to a racing car and, when taken on the race track, can be finely tuned like a racing car for optimum performance under all conditions. The availability of the self-shifting gearbox does nothing to reduce the performance. Indeed, it enhances it by reducing acceleration times and enabling the driver to have full control of the gearbox without having to take a hand off the steering wheel to change gear.”
“In short, the Exige S is the epitome of what Lotus has always provided: Extraordinary performance, a road car that responds like a racing car and, like a racing car, the ability to be tuned to the driver’s desires as well as the road or rack track conditions. And the ability to do all of this at fraction of the price of rivals that struggle to even come close to the abilities of the Exige S,” says Mr Sealey.
The 2015 Lotus Exige S manual has a recommended retail price of $132,990 and $137,990 in self-shifting form, excluding dealer costs and delivery. The 2015 Lotus Exige S Roadster has a recommended retail price of $132,990 and $137,990 in self-shifting form, excluding dealer costs and delivery.
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