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

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:

• Launch control to ensure optimum performance from a standing start
• Lotus Variable Slip Traction Control, enabling the driver to tune the car to track surface conditions and their own driving style
• Ohlins 2-way adjustable dampers for personalised ride and handling characteristics

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'.

The Exige Scura in more detail

Performance and Performance Enhancements

• 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds and 199 g/km CO₂
• Lotus Launch Control and Lotus Traction Control as standard

The Lotus Exige Scura uses the 1.8-litre supercharged and intercooled 260PS/191kW engine from the range-topping Exige Cup 260, including the lightweight flywheel and lightweight supercharger pipework. Coupled with Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers and Eibach Springs with variable height spring platforms, unique matt black lightweight forged wheels and super sticky Yokohama A048 LTS tyres, ride and handling is as expected for a Lotus.

Lightweight carbon fibre components including sports seats, interior centre console, front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side air-scoops and rear spoiler help shave 10kg from the Lotus Exige S, down to just 925 kg.

Lotus Launch Control and Lotus Traction Control

Both are additions recommended for track driving and both were originally developed for the Lotus Exige GT3 racing programme.

The launch control allows the driver to determine the number of revs they wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that limit, the driver then holds the throttle pedal down fully and sidesteps the clutch pedal for a very quick departure from the line. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch to transmission engagement to minimise the stresses to the drivetrain. The launch control allows wheel-spin until 10km/h to further reduce drivetrain stress, after which the traction control assumes its duties at the defined level set by the driver.

As with launch control, the amount of traction control required can be dialled in from the driver's seat and altered on the move to suit the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from an optimum 7 percent tyre slip to completely inactive. The message display in the new instrument pack displays what degree of traction control is being currently utilised.

Suspension

To suit individual driving styles and road conditions, drivers will now be able to tune the Exige suspension with the Ohlins two-way adjustable dampers (which have 60 compression and 22 rebound settings) and ride height adjustment to reduce the ride height from 130mm to 120mm.

Performance, Economy and Emissions

The Lotus Exige Scura is capable of incredible track performance which and at the heart of its success is the aerodynamic package, which produces 42kg of downforce at 160km/h increasing grip and stability at higher speeds. This downforce, coupled with a top speed around 245 km/h and a 0-to-160 km/h in circa 9.9 seconds, 0-to-100 km/h in circa 4.1 seconds, means that the Exige Scura is not only stunning to look at but a phenomenal performer too. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 8.5 l/100km and the CO₂ emissions of 199g/km.

Engine

The supercharged and intercooled engine in the Exige Scura has a maximum power output of 191kW/260PS/257hp at 8000rpm and a torque figure of 236Nm at 6000 rpm. This significant amount of extra power and torque over the production level Exige S together with the VVTL-i variable cam system ensures that there is a smooth and linear delivery of power from low engine speeds all the way to the maximum 8000 rpm (8500rpm transient for 2 seconds). The supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism meaning that it does not require the use of the engine's oil) is run from the crankshaft and has an integral bypass valve for part load operation. Charge air (air under pressure from the supercharger) is cooled through an air-to-air intercooler (the air enters via the enhanced roof scoop) before being fed into the engine itself. All charge air ducting has been kept as short as possible with large diameter pipes to minimise restriction and maximise throttle response and efficiency. Four high capacity injectors and an uprated fuel pump add additional fuel under hard acceleration or continuous high speed driving - only on the track, of course!

A lightweight flywheel is fitted (giving even greater flexibility and response to the gear change), a sports-type clutch plate and heavy duty clutch cover transfer the engine power and torque to the lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox (with an aluminium casing) - with the same perfectly spaced ratios as the Exige S. An Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) is included in the whole package as an oil reservoir back-up for extreme track use ensuring that, under those conditions, the engine oil pressure remains constant.

Paint Warranty

The Lotus Exige Scura is painted in a 'soft feel' water borne matt black paint finish that is resistant to most normal forms of atmospheric attack provided the special cleaning and maintenance requirements as specified by Lotus are strictly adhered to. However due to the textured matt finish, fading or discolouration of all or part of the matt paint finish may occur during the early life of the vehicle and this is considered normal and is specifically excluded from any warranty given by Lotus. The special matt paint finish utilised on the Lotus Scura is provided with a limited warranty of the earlier of 12 months or 12,000 miles/20,000 km from the date of first registration of the vehicle. Please consult your Authorised Lotus Dealer for full details.

Official European Combined Cycle = 8.5 litres / 100 km (33.2 mpg)
Official European Extra Urban Cycle = 6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg)
Official European Urban Cycle = 11.9 litre/100 km (23.7 mpg)
CO₂ emissions = 199 g/km