2009 Lotus Exige S260 Sport. Photo courtesy of InsideLine at Edmunds.com.
The Exige S260 Sport will come with the same Supercharged Toyota-sourced 1.8 liter 4-cylinder motor as the Exige S and S240, coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. Power numbers increase to 257 horsepower, which will propel the car 0-60 mph in exactly 4 seconds. The car will weigh approximately 1,900 lbs which should make for the nimble and responsive ride enthusiasts have grown to expect from the company’s offerings. This low weight is achieved due to an aluminum chassis, carbon fiber roof, forged wheels, and lightweight race battery. The car is essentially a daily-drivable track vehicle.
The British version will differ from the American release, as the USA models add such features as sound deadening, air conditioning, carpeting and airbags to conform with crash-safety standards. Even with these added bits, the car should remain as exciting as the British model. In terms of appearance, the car will remain the same between Britain and the USA, and will also look no different from the S240 short of a discreet badge on the lower right portion of the rear bumper.
The Exige S260 Sport comes to the states with a pricetag of $74,995 and with an expected USA production run of only 50 cars.With such a limited release, those interested should potentially sign ownership papers before the car actually makes it onto the streets.
Look for our review some time in the near future… in the meanwhile, feel free to read the review KarFarm did on the Exige S240.
-KF