Lotus is one of the few outside automakers planning to take advantage of this week’s Tokyo Motor Show, with the British automaker preparing to display a limited edition of its Exige coupe. Dubbed the Lotus Exige Scura, the high-performance version of the two-door will hit the Tokyo stage on Wednesday.
Based on the standard-issue Exige model, the Scura – Italian for ‘dark’ – significantly ups the Exige’s sinister quotient, adding both menacing looks and performance upgrades.
Most notably, the Exige Scura comes draped in a soft-feel black matt finished, accented by high-gloss Phantom Black triple stripes. The Exige Scura’s look is also set off by plenty of carbon fiber accents, including on the car’s hood, oil cooler inlet vents, side airscoops and rear spoiler.
That carbon fiber theme is carried over into the Exige Scura’s interior, with a specially crafted center console and seats.
In order to back up those toughened looks, the Exige Scura features a supercharged 1.8L four-cylinder cranking out 257 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to a 10kg weight reduction – as well as a standard launch control – Lotus says the Scura can make the sprint from 0-60 in about 4 seconds, with the run from 0-100 taking a mere 9.9 seconds. The Scura tops out at 152 mph.
Only 35 examples of the Exige Scura will be produced, but it doesn’t appear as though any will be heading to the United States. European pricing for the Exige Scura will start in the 61,000 euro range.
10/19, 6:31 PM
posted by:
reedfast
you’re right, that smiley face on the front of the car is very sinister.
10/19, 7:34 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
The Exige does look badass in black. I think a gloss black instead of a flat black would have looked better though. Anyone know what kind of semi-slicks the Exige’s are running? They look nice!
10/19, 7:43 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Now that’s a great sports car! I’ve always loved Lotus and their “less is more” philosophy.
10/19, 8:10 PM
posted by:
comp.mode
Love Lotus, love elise/exige’s. However the price is getting up there and unless you are a die-hard Lotus fan there are alot of cars to choose from that can keep pace with this on the track and you could drive it to work as well. With the aero mods, weight reduction, and acceleration improvements this car sounds more and more fun. But fun is where things get hairy for me here. The neck snapping grip and then the ensueing cat like reflexes you’ll need just, for most wouldnt be as fun. A co-worker of mine has an orange elise. I’ll take my BMW 328is track car and we’ll run to Champaign, Illinos for autocrossing. I’ve driven that elise many times and its tossable as hell. Lovely. The tires and aero package WOULD make it too serious. It just doesnt fit the cars personality for me. Oh, wait. I just read Lotus is just putting out 35 of them. Well, cheers to the lucky few.
10/19, 8:58 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for Volkswagen
Dear Lotus,
For me you are up there with Volkswagen. I love your “tiny and mighty” way of thinking and your cars are true quality pices of art. This new design is very attractive (HOT) and I just want to drive it ASAP!
What is up with the wierd shifter though?
NMOFVW
10/19, 9:04 PM
posted by:
justagigilo85
Hmmm, alpine headunit from 2005?
10/19, 11:17 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
That Lotus looks soo sick. I’m loving how the auto makers are coming out with the blacked/murderedout look. We are indeed facing good times when it comes to levels of customization offered from the factory.
10/19, 11:18 PM
posted by:
hfry
sex
10/20, 12:01 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
i like the matte finish, it’s different…i’ll take my lotus in a supercharged elise, though, tyvm…
10/20, 2:57 AM
posted by:
BIG-KC
Lotus Elise with a 2.2L I4 from TwoStrokeShop that makes 480rwhp for me. Oh and forget 10kg weight reduction, more like 50kg with that engine.
10/20, 2:58 AM
posted by:
BIG-KC
Need more oil for Volkswagen go die. You are more annoying than NMOFGM.
10/20, 10:01 AM
posted by:
Kamox
@ 05Z88Path:
Those are Yokohama Advan A048, LTS (lotus-specific compound). Great on dry tarmac, not so good on the wet, have to be changed after every 5000 km (on average).
Even less if used only on the track (and as the Exige is supposed to be used mainly for trackdays…).
10/20, 10:32 AM
posted by:
QR25SpecV
Lotus Exige Scura? Yes please. But for ~$90000?
It is annoying that some car manufactures have a stripped out “track” version of their car and then charge much more for it.
When it come to a track car, for $90K, a car could be built that would demolish everything at the track for the weekend. Take a used 240/260/280Z, 240SX, Corvette, or a RX7 add a supercharged LS(1,2,3,7), strip it out, role cage, add excessively large brakes, Spend about 10K in the suspension, Bolt on some lightweight BBS’s with some SL slicks.
And if you want, add a front splitter and wing.
It wouldn’t be a looker, but it would go like stink.
And with the money you saved, take your wife somewhere nice so she’ll let you keep the car.
10/20, 10:46 AM
posted by:
scratchy
from the press release : “If the launch control facility is utilized, the warranty on related powertrain components is void” . that sucks.
10/20, 12:55 PM
posted by:
nickkop
just a few words:
SEXY and amazing
just a few more:
Needs K20a Swap
10/20, 1:40 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
Thanks Kamox!
10/20, 6:27 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Snoozefest. Repackaging an antique platform doesn’t get it…sorry.
10/21, 12:01 PM
posted by:
armstealer
I LOVE Matte Black. What do they mean by soft feel? The look, or actually the feel? How hard is it to wash matte finishes in general? Are they clear coated?
Anybody, please respond to this ^, please