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This isn't really new, but I don't think it's been posted yet, and I meant to do it a while back.
To sum it up, new Lotus Exige with a 3.0L V6 pumping out 400hp (that's right, four-hundred horsepower in a less-than-1900-pound-package).
Anyways, the entrie page can be found here (with pics and specs):
http://seriouswheels.com/top-2005-Lotus-Sport-Exige.htm

(Okay everyone, get Zzyzx a towel)

 
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Eh, it's overkill...I think Lotus has lost track of what their cars are really about with this one...

I feel like they came out with this to try and compete in the "super exotic" segment.

 
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with a 200 hp vtec engine that someone swaped in the elise can beat a f430 (its one of em ferraris... not sure of the model.. maybe f40) imagine now with a 400hp engine... all it need are wings now and the M button in the steering wheel!

 
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Eh... perhaps, but let's just look at it for the specs for a moment. 400 hp in a 1900 pound car, with a purpose-built, FIA homologated chassis. I can see this going up against Porsche's perhaps in the GT category in the ELMS/ALMS series (perhaps not beating them, but challenging them).
It's definitely a car with serious *****, that's for sure. Even the new 240R is impressive:
http://seriouswheels.com/top-2005-Lo...Exige-240R.htm

 
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Corvette beater?

 
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I thought Lotus has always been exotic?

 
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I think it was always exotic as well. The interior that ive seen the Elise have is quite lacking. But then again, its meant for track and not for comfort.

If they had a nice S2000 interior, i would buy one in a heartbeat.

 
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actaully,

the euro exotic cars are usually lacking in the interior. They use leather and carbon fiber alright, but the ergonomics are totally omitted. THey like fewer butons, indicators etc

 
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Quote from the article:
This one-off racecar has been built for a South East Asian client and is expected to race in selected sportscar races in Asia. There are no plans as yet to build further examples of the Lotus Sport Exige but the base structure has been carefully designed to comply with key motorsport regulations around the world. Adhering to the key Lotus philosophy of performance through lightweight, the Lotus Sport Exige weighs in at just 850kg.

(1873.93 Lbs!)

 
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Uh, yeah, the 400R would eat a Ferrari F430 for lunch so a Corvette would be its breakfast

 
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I saw some special on them they are only making 200 per year. the whole thing is carbon fiber. I'd take one.

 
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yea it was a k20a w/ 220hp stock....they modded the ecu to give it 240hp. and it was around 1700lbs. its super fast!!!! f340 was out of the question

 
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im not a big fan of the front end

 
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Problem w. being all one giant carbon fiber piece is that even the smallest knock on the rear diffuser and you've got to replace a whole bloody giant section of CF. That doesn't exactly come for cheap.

 
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I meant more along the lines of a C5-R, not just a regular Corvette.

 
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That's part of the Lotus appeal. There are no creature comforts. Lotus aren't for everybody.


Presumably, the person who would buy a car like that wouldn't have a problem replacing the splitter.

 
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that car looks too funny for me

 
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I would rock that car any day...ANY day. And I would not race a ferrari if I knew I would win cause no one should ever disrespect a ferrari like that. no one!


EDIT: about the carbon fiber getting torn or whatever...You can seal it with an epoxy for like $5 with that 2500lb+ epoxy and that would do the trick. But yes if you can afford this then you wouldnt need to care too much. once it got too bad you could buy a new one!

 
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yummie

 
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ya that thing would be stupid expensive to repair...

but the "normal" Exige and Elies bodys are made of Fiberglass and aluminum. So its not that expencive... except for the Huge price hike on parts from Lotus... the chassis its self is an aluminum bathtub design... Strong and light.

 
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Well, you should have been more specific
Anyway, no, it probably couldn't beat a C5-R, because it isn't a car that would be competing in the same class as the C5-R if someone were to purchase a customer chassis and run it in the ALMS/ELMS. It would fall under the GT category, fighting with Porsche 911 RS's and BMW M3 GTR's, not the GTS category where the C5-R, 575M Maranello, DB9-R, and others compete.

 
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lotus has always been exotic. its been a medium between things like lambos and acura nsx's right in the middle really. just look into the lotus espirit v8 turbo. the elise is an amazing car also it outperforms many cars 6 times its price tag in turns and braking and some even acceleration but those arent 6times the cost

 
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ooommggg i luv the supercharger i wish that motor was in my civic

 
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I was under the impression that a rear diffuser Exige or Elise on a Lotus was very expensive to repair, which is why a lot of the when you see a Lotus for sale theres the disclaimer "Rear diffuser damaged, but car is in excellent condition" because the person is willing to drop the car and cut his loses than pay another few grand for an easy to break piece.

 
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Just plain sick.

 
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Oh wow, Lotus is one of my favorite sports car manufacturer. They definitely did an amazing job with the Exige & 240R.