Lotus has just released pictures of perhaps the hottest Exige yet, the sexy 2010 Exige Scura. It’s based on the Exige S and powered by the wild, 257-hp, supercharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder also found in the 2009 Exige S260 Sport.
Besides the raucous motor, the real kick of the Scura (which means “dark” in Italian) is its “soft-feel” matte black paint. Lotus paradoxically brags that the paint job both “reflects the stealth character” of the Exige and makes it “a real head-turner.” Contrasting high-gloss black stripes bisect the car, while carbon-fiber components—including sport seats, center console, front splitter, oil-cooler intake vanes, side air scoops, and rear spoiler—suck up weight and light like a black hole. The difference inside, however, is that much of that carbon fiber—in marked contrast to the outside—is glossy. Other equipment fitted to the Scura includes launch control, two-way adjustable dampers, Eibach springs with variable-height spring platforms, and unique matte black lightweight forged wheels wearing Yokohama A048 LTS tires. All of the lightweight bits are said to help reduce weight by about 22 pounds compared with the Exige S, bringing it down to around 2040 pounds.
Since little has been done to the powertrain, the 0–60 sprint is expected to match the S260 Sport’s claimed 4.1-second time. Production of the Scura will be limited to just 35 units worldwide, none of which will be coming here, sadly. (Lotus is said to have a few of the 50 2009 Exige S260 Sports sitting in showrooms, so there may indeed be no need for the Scura here.) Prices start at £45,950 in England, which equates to a little more than $75K in the U.S.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
