New Exige Sport 350

[quantum2000]

My original V6, weighed in at 1176 kg with a full tank.

Not sure about the standard brakes on the Sport 350, it doesn't say what the disks are, I would presume there ventilated and cross drilled cast iron and the two-piece high performance brake discs are the option.

Although in saying that according to the website my CR came with upgraded 2-piece ventilated cross drilled cast iron disks.
It didn't, it came with exactly the same disks as my previous V6 ????

 

[diego]

so whatever comes after this will be lighter and faster?....each to his own but its what i'm waiting for.

i really hope this is the last refresh before they stick an LSD and Evora400 drive train in and would have one tmrw. for me anyway the exige product lineup now is totally confusing. i think the basic car (so this 350 sport?) has lighter wheels than a cup? and how does the CR fit in ? is the basic car quicker than the CR and 360cup round hethel?

wtf is going on? lol... someone pass me a coffee i'm totally confused!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bibs]

LSD is a year or two off, if it happens.

This car laps Hethel in 1.29.8 - first road car to do a sub 1:30... 

[LF1]

I think we are over analysing it, just a mid life face lift that any other manufacturer would not confuse with new designations. Thumbs up from me.

[Top cat]

46 minutes ago, Arun_D said:

On the contrary, even B&C have been struggling to shift 2nd hand V6s. I was to receive a better p/x for my grey V6S on the proviso they could shift one of their used stock V6s...but they're still sat there today, and have been there since before I ordered my Cup in mid-September.

New ones on 50:50...flying out the doors.

This is my point Arun. I completely understand Lotus using the 50-50 deal to sell the cars it is a clever idea but i am wondering whether they have looked passed the short term. There is going to be a steady stream of second hand cars arriving on the market from now on as the two years are up. Surely Lotus will be hoping those buyers will just trade-in for new. I can just see people thinking hold on i might be looking at near 45% depreciation after two years, i am not going to take that much on the chin again. Of course long term will be fine but how many people keep long term Exiges. 

I know i am saying words we don't want to hear but i can see a big problem on the horizon. 

[quantum2000]

6 minutes ago, Bibs said:

LSD is a year or two off, if it happens.

This car laps Hethel in 1.29.8 - first road car to do a sub 1:30... 

Looking forward to your review and video, now chop chop stop posting and start editing the review 

[Arun_D]

24 minutes ago, diego said:

 i think the basic car (so this 350 sport?) has lighter wheels than a cup?

 

They are a cost option, worth remembering. You'd assume they'd be available on 360 Cup orders too, though!
 

13 minutes ago, Top cat said:

This is my point Arun. I completely understand Lotus using the 50-50 deal to sell the cars it is a clever idea but i am wondering whether they have looked passed the short term. There is going to be a steady stream of second hand cars arriving on the market from now on as the two years are up. Surely Lotus will be hoping those buyers will just trade-in for new. I can just see people thinking hold on i might be looking at near 45% depreciation after two years, i am not going to take that much on the chin again. Of course long term will be fine but how many people keep long term Exiges.

I know i am saying words we don't want to hear but i can see a big problem on the horizon.

Yep, sorry I only quoted you as the last poster on the subject. Completely agree.

[quantum2000]

Just to change the topic slightly, nice 360 CUP for sale @Murrays

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/exige-s3/lotus-exige-s-360-cup-1-of-50-new/5074531

Edited December 10, 2015 by quantum2000

[C8RKH]

That's number 1 of 50 - wow. When I click the link I get an error - anyone else getting these?

[LF1]

Murray's always seem to get #1:

https://www.lotusregister.com/exige/lf1/victory-1-monaco-1960

[Kalli]

I can't imagine the Exige 400 is within the next 12 months. And I can't imagine they'll loose the sills. It's meant to be a hardcore track monster with road capabilities. Those sidesills are great protection, and I could imagine many would feel uncomfortable with them removed.

Also not a huge fan of the engine bay slats. I loved the one on the 360. As mentioned, the 350's slats just look awkwardly stuck on. It really needs the surround changed to compliment the car more - similar to wearing a spotted tie on a striped shirt - it just doesn't work. 

[quantum2000]

Totally agree, the 360 tailgate looks so much better

Reviews coming through

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lotus/exige/93724/lighter-and-faster-lotus-exige-sport-350-revealed

http://blog.caranddriver.com/lotus-exige-sport-350-adds-lightness-plaidness-keeps-not-for-america-badness/

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-official-pictures/lotus/new-exige-sport-350-lotus-gets-its-priorities-right/

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/12/09/lotus-exige-sport-350-revealed/

 

Edited December 11, 2015 by quantum2000

[AndyFoggy]

Exige 400 - Geneva 2017

[Kalli]

Lotus aren't going to Geneva this year I believe. The cost of the show is obscene and the company don't have anything worth showing from what i've heard. The Exige 400 won't be ready in time.  

[Bibs]

Lotus will be at Geneva next year, in 2016. Not sure of their plans for 2017 though... 

[Kalli]

I stand corrected then (plus I didn't notice Andrea saying 2017 ). I thought they weren't going to attend! 

Any idea/suggestions on what's being shown Bibs?

[Bibs]

Exige Sport 350, 3-Eleven, more than likely some other stuff

 

[The Pits]

I personally prefer the Sport 350 engine cover, keeping the mesh makes it look lighter. The 360 Cups plastic mouldings look heavier to me.

I will be asking for just the louvred tailgate for my car. Claimed weight saving is only 3kg but it feels a lot lighter than that when opening and shutting it.

[diego]

lotus at the end of the day is a business....and i assume we are allowed to try and be objective on here?

i think on the sales front of the current exige v6 they have reached critical mass in numbers. ltd edn paint jobs arnt going to cut it. you just devalue the product long term for short term gain. 

new sales are incentivised 50/50 deal and the secondary market is stagnant. that normally means you need an updated version that the existing market wants to switch into or new buyers want to take up on. that 360cup is £72k!!!! that a lot of money .... Its a lot for an elise based exige imo that isnt really a significant update over and above the S i bought at a lot less 3 years ago. 

i could be insane but i cant see the mechanical hold up on an exige 400, i bet they have a working version already..  ...i think the only hold up will be how much they want to change it over and above the drive train alone, so styling, a bigger fuel tank - legal issues, lower sills (which i cant see them being able to do with that elise central tub as i know how unridgid my v6 chassis is with raised sills) which they absolutely have to do to open the  car to a bigger mkt  and increase mkt share. 

so yeah on one hand i think its simple. on the other ? 

im holding fast as imo the 360 or the sport isnt a viable upgrade. and herein lies the problem. is lotus award winning and best car going to be developed quickly enough to keep the interest going? the precis of EVO and the 400 Evora was great car but the rest of the market had moved on in the meantime.

a sorted exige 400 would imho deal with that gt4. think of the good press, credibility  and associated sales - and  not just for the exige. 

im not talking rocket science! 

[Andrew C]

The Evora Roadster will be showen at Geneve this coming year.

( to be fair have been saying that since 2009 when I first saw it)

Andrew 

[TLF News]

Driven: Exige Sport 350

 

[Gashead1105]

Evo article now up

http://www.evo.co.uk/lotus/exige/17120/lotus-exige-sport-350-review-less-weight-sharper-focus-for-former-ecoty-winner

Sounds like the gearshift is a real step forward.

[LF1]

"From next March onwards your choice of Exige will be the Sport 350 (Coupe or Roadster) or 360 Cup"

What happens when the 50 360 Cup cars are sold? I am guessing there will be a new 360 Cup?

[DaveC72]

Thanks for the write up, as always Bibs.

Nice to read it and the EVO write up consecutively.

If I ever go back to running two cars, this would be almost certainly be first in the line.

I really, really like it and at that price it looks a bit of a steal.  

Well played Lotus, strong work.

 

[quantum2000]

4 minutes ago, T3Jn said:

What happens when the 50 360 Cup cars are sold? I am guessing there will be a new 360 Cup?

Probably, Sport 360 Cup,  Sport 360 CR, then a limited edition...