Extremely Rare 1 of 4 Ardent Red 2009 Lotus Exige S260, 257hp Supercharged 1.8L I4, 6-speed manual, high-performance Ohlins suspension & brakes, carbon fiber front splitter / roof with scoop / tailgate, rear wing / side scoop / diffuser. Carbon Fiber dash & door sills, Upgraded Kenwood audio, Back-up camera, leather-wrapped Momo sport steering wheel, air conditioning, sport seats.
Key features:
One of 26 Sport 260's built for the USA & one of 4 painted Ardent Red.
Lotus Sport Ohlins Dampers
Upgraded Kenwood Audio system with back up camera, Bluetooth hands-free, iPod connect and JBL speakers.
Custom built in Radar/Laser front & rear sensors
New set of factory spec Advan A048 Tires
Fresh full dealer service
Add Lightness to Increase Performance
In North America, the 2009 Exige Sport 260 retailed for $74,995 and only offered two options - Starshield and optional alternative paint colors (Ardent Red and British Racing Green were offered as no-cost standard color choices).
Features
The Exige Sport 260 substituted carbon fiber in place of many fiberglass panels primarily for weight savings. The splitter, access panels, roof, hatch, wing and side scoops are all carbon fiber. Graphics were presented by exposing the carbon fiber through the paint on all the 'mohawk' that extends from the rear hatch, through the roof and into the front access panels.
The splitter, wing and side scoops were left exposed without paint -- simply clear coated over.
The Exige Sport 260 also included special 12-spoke forged 'ultra-light' rims supplied by Team Dynamics These rims were finished in a gun metal gray finish. The front rims are 7Jx16 (11.8 lbs) and the rear are 8Jx17 (16.5 lbs) mounted with Yokohama Advan A048 LTS tires -- 195/50-16 Front, 225/45-17
An uprated fuel pump and Accusump (engine oil accumulator unit) ensure continuous fuel and oil flow under hard acceleration or continuous high speed driving.
All Exige Sport 260s come standard with LSD, launch control and adjustable traction control that is put to the pavement through a Torsen torque-sensing limited slip differential.
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 aluminum casing) --
Suspension
The Exige S260 carries the same fully independent track-pack suspension that is available on the S240 with unequal length wishbones, adjustable front anti-sway bar and adjustable Bilstein dampers with threaded spring perches and remote front reservoirs. A few '09's like this one were upgraded in production from the Bilstein to Ohlins dampers. ($5,700 no-cost upgrade)
The S260 features Lotus/AP Racing & Brembo calipers with stainless steel braided brake hoses, uprated four-piston front calipers and uprated Pagid RS14 pads front and rear.
One area a lot of attention was given to in order to make the Exige Sport 260 a better performer was the rear subframe which was specially redesigned and given a special coating to lighten weight and give increased lateral stiffness at the rear subframe suspension pickup points (resulting in increased tire contact patch control and a 30% stiffened rear chassis).
Interior
The S260's interior continues the application of carbon fiber for weight savings. The dash panel, side dash covers (where the vent openings are) and sills are all carbon fiber. The door panels have a unique motif and design trimmed in Alcantara.
The dash gauge binnacle, AC surround, shifter cover are also trimmed in Alcantara.
The S260's have no rear window and replaced it with solid trimmed panel. Power windows, power locks, floor mats and passenger foot rest are included.
This S260's has an upgraded in-dash Kenwood CD player with back up camera, 4 JBL speakers, Bluetooth phone connect, and I-pod connection.
The 2009 Exige S260 premiered the addition of a new FIA and HANS compliant carbon fiber lightweight sport seat built in house by Lotus. Note: the seats are FIA compliant when fitted in conjunction with fixed seat runners that are available as a track only dealer fit option.
The carbon fiber seats had no supply available at the beginning of production and each seat required extensive time and labor to produce. Initial versions were exclusively hand made by one assembly worker (rumored to even be done at his home) and then, after the shell was made, required the anatomical Probax padding to be added from the trim shop. The trim shop embroidered Exige 260 into the seat back for US Spec cars. The Probax padding is attached with Velcro including a removable headrest with HANS embroidery. The removable headrest padding enables better clearance for HANS device or helmet -- Further enhancing the hand built nature, and rarity of these exhilarating English sports cars.