Lotus Exige Sprint 2008

Pictures from France this time with this Lotus Exige from 2008. This is the Exige Sprint edition. What was specific about this edition? The livery mainly as the two-tone paint aims at recreating the colour scheme of the Elan Sprint built between 1971 and 1973. It also gets a heritage pack with a certificate signed by Lotus boss Mike Kimberley, as well as 'The Lotus Book' by William Taylor covering all the models produced at Hethel. There are also some extras like lightweight forged alloys as standard, air-con, a Sport Pack, a Touring Pack and the Performance Pack. That means the 1.8 4-cylinder engine reached 243bhp, with a 0-60mph in four seconds and a top speed of 146mph or 235km/h.
It seems to be quite a rare car as only 40 have apparently been built!

Sources: 

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-official-pictures/lotus/lotus-exige-sprint-2008-first-official-pictures-/

http://www.lotusdriversguide.com/Downloads/Brochures/ExigeSprint.pdf

Lotus Elise 2002

Not a supercar today, just a really nice little two-seater, the Lotus Elise in a deep red colour, spotted on the car-park of my local supermarket at the weekend. It is an early 2000's model, which has a 1.8 4-cylinder engine producing 122bhp. 0-62mph takes 5.6 seconds and the top speed is 126mph or 203km/h. I bet this car is as much fun as a go-kart!

Lotus Elise

Back to the car park of the Tatton Classic Cars show with this Lotus Elise. With a 1.8l engine, 122bhp and a weight of only 1,000kg, the little Elise can reach 62mph in just 5.7 seconds for a top speed of 128mph (206km/h). Once again, a great car to take out on a track day!

Lotus Esprit V8

 

 

The iconic Lotus Esprit in the V8 turbo version. 3.5 350bhp V8 engine. 0-62 in 4.8 seconds and 170mph (274km/h) top speed for this 1997 model.

Lotus Evora

 

After the Lotus Exige a few days ago, this is the latest production from Lotus, the Evora. This model has the standard 3.5 V6 engine with 276bhp and not the 345bhp turbocharged V6, but it has the cosmetic upgrade with the Sports Racer pack (black roof, mirrors, splitters and wheels). 0-62 takes 5.0 seconds and the top speed is 163mph (262km/h). Nice performance for a very pleasing looking car!

Lotus Exige

 

Still on the car park of the Tatton car show a few weeks ago, one of the first Lotus Exige to be produced, in yellow (not my favourite!)

The car has a 1.8l Rover K series 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which produces 177bhp (0-62 in 4.9 seconds and top speed of 136mph (236km/h))

These cars must drive like go-karts, a lot of fun I suppose!

Lotus Renault F1

 

Displayed in the Arndale Centre in Manchester this morning, Kimi Räikkönen's F1 car, a Lotus powered by a 750bhp, 2.4l V8 Renault engine. I know I didn't see it on a street (well, yes, I know, we don't tend to see these on a street!!!) but thought some of you would probably dream of taking out an F1 car out for a spin!

So here it is, in four pictures. Enjoy!

 

+Lotus F1 Team 

Lotus Esprit V8

 

I tend to prefer newer cars but I think older sports car are still worth the part!

Here, one of the last Lotus Esprit V8 seen in Manchester over a year ago. The bonnet hides a 3.5l V8 engine with 356bhp. Very respectable performances with a 0-62 in just under 5sec and a top speed of 176mph (283km/h)

 

+Lotus F1 Team