Lotus confirms it will bring Exige to the U.S. by early 2006

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103103

I always liked these more than the Elise, I'm just more of a coupe guy I guess? Now if they could just put a sexier engine in there!

 

So what makes the Exige more of a coupe than the Elise?

 

I couldn't figure out that one either, since the real Exige has no removable top of any kind. It also receives a bump in power in addition to the additional body tweaks. So this is essentially, an Elise with factory aero tweaks and exported in limited quantity. Does the Elise available here in the US have the same Lotus T/C and limited slip as options? Shouldn't the live axle of the Elise make it more fun?

Bleh. I was very excited when I saw this thread and after clicking on the link, I was disappointed. Those feelings are because this car exists!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Say what? (Live axle means non-independent suspension)

 

Neat car, too bad I'm too big for it...

 

Have you sat in one?

 

Dale. Are we talking the Elise here???

going to look today. Only negative I keep seeing is the tight cockpit.

Untrue?

Will a 5'10" 190 size 45 jacket type fit in comfort? (Um...me)

Heard it was tight l to r and top to bottom.

Have you driven one? I need details. PM IF NECESSARY.

Dave

 

Yep, in Japan. I fit once I get into it, but it takes four chiropratic sessions to get rid of the pain in my back from turning into a pretzel to get into it...

 

hi Sunny,

that pic is not of an exige. its a one-off GT racer (the 300RR) made by
Lotus for Proton (Lotus's owner) to race.

BTW :-

the exige does NOT have a live axle. Gawd.

cheers.

 

I used to own one, before the 355, and I'm about the same size as you. Getting in and out can be fun as they have really high sills, relative to the seating position and a really low roof. So you end up bent double getting out of it but for me that just added to the fun.

I found it comfortable inside with no space issues as long as any passengers are relatively small. Otherwise your shoulders end up rubbing and their knee gets in the way of the gear shift!

The handling is out of this world, much better than the 355

 

Pics of the first Federal Exige in the U.S.

http://www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/gallery/log-25?page=8

iirc...starting at just over $50k

 

Proton is racing the said 300RR locally here in Malaysia.

http://autoworld.com.my/emzine/review/viewarticle.asp?awReviewId=1931&awCatId=RT.ATC.CAR.MTR

 

I own an Elise, and even though im small, I had many of my big and very tall friends get in and fit VERY WELL in the car. The only problem might be getting in the car when the top is on, but if you know HOW to do it, it's very easy. As far as between the elise and the exige...two different cars..the exige is really more for track use, its heavier and slower accelleration/top speed(because of aerodynamics wich add more downforce but also more drag) but is a better track car. Other than that, the car just shines, handling is breathtaking, and for a car with "only" 190hp, it keeps up head to head with a 360 or a gallardo(as speeds get above 100mph it, the later start pulling on it pretty fast though).

-Seb

 

Production will be limited to 300 to 350 cars for the U.S with an MSRP of $50,990. Option pricing is as follows: Touring Pack - $1350; Lotus Traction Control - $495; limited slip differential with Lotus Traction Control - $1790; air conditioning delete - $250 (removes approximately 22 lbs.); Metallic Paint - $590; Lifestyle Paint - $1200

What is the $1200 lifestyle paint? Is it a rainbow thing?
(Not that there's anything wrong with that)

 

I know i couldn't fit inside of an exige without complaining about how small it is.

 

Fred2- Some colors like chrome orange are the ones classified as lifestyle paint, there an option because its not a "plain" color like the normal color choices for the Elise.

Pantera- I suggest you try sitting in one, im sure theres an Elise owner in your area, its the same thing as an Exige, and unless your 350lbs and 7foot tall, you won't have any problems getting in.

-Seb

 

Im 6' 2" and i felt like my head was completly over the top of the wind screen. I fit east west though, barely.

 

I was talking about the ELISE regarding suspension and it was also late when I posted. You forgot the roll your eyes smiley, btw.



Sunny

 

At a mere 350 units, the Exige will be as accessible as Madonna's virginity, and you can just as well figure only 349 because you just know Jay Leno will get one right off the bat.

I'm pushing my brother to get an Elise, his current "collectible/exotic" is an old MG B...so an Elise is perfectly right up with a current English go-fast spunky car. From what I hear, just about anybody can be comfortable once in one....it's getting in & out that's t-t-t-tricky.

You want tricky? I just checked-out a cute little bug-eyed sprite that was for sale on the corner, beside being thoroughly guttless that thing was nearly impossible to get out of: I had to crawl out and put both hands on the ground/asphalt as I wiggled & squirmed to break free of it's entombing grasp. Paramedics would need the "jaw-of-life" to get even an infant out of one of those. But on the upside...opps, there was no upside, nevermind.

 

I think you might be surprised. If you want one, I bet you can still get one. At MSRP.

 

Hmm does this mean TC and a LS will be available for the Elise some time in the near future?

 

Yes. The '06 model which you can order now or just buy off an Elise-studded lot in a month or two...

 

im 6'2" as well, and i feel with the top on i would not get in. i have long legs for a 6'2" person and they started to cramp as i brought them inside the cockpit (not to mention almost putting my feet all over another person's elise dash)

and the gearshift-knee thing isn't too cool

when you're this tall in a car this small you cant help but feel like you're sitting ontop of the car rather than in it (especially because looking over the windscreen is just as easy as looking under it)

 

What about the White Exige that showed up to Crystal Cove? Converted by a different company? How much more did they pay in order to not have to wait for Lotus to do it?