Tokyo '09: Lotus to Unveil Limited Production Exige Scura with 260HP

Tokyo '09: Lotus to Unveil Limited Production Exige Scura with 260HP

*UPDATED GALLERY WITH 24 HIGH-RES PHOTOS*

Another show, another special edition model for Lotus that has announced the world premiere of the Exige Scura at the Tokyo International Motorshow on 21st of October 2009. Translated as "dark" from Italian, the name "Scura" is supposed to reflect the stealth character of the special Exige that boasts a menacing matt black paint finish with contrasting 'Phantom Black' triple stripes that run the length of the car.

The sports car also features carbon fiber front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side air-scoops and rear spoiler plus unique matt black lightweight forged wheels shod in high-performance Yokohama A048 LTS tires.

Continuing the dark theme into the interior, the Scura's seats and centre console are crafted from carbon fibre and the handbrake and gear knob have a special anodized treatment which leaves the metal with an anthracite color finish. All carbon fibre components inside are finished in high-gloss clear lacquer.

The Exige Scura makes use of the Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine from the range topping Exige Cup 260. It produces a maximum power output of 260 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque figure of 236 Nm (174 lb-ft) at 6,000 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a lightweight C64 six-speed gearbox.

Lotus said that the extensive use of lightweight carbon fibre components, including sports seats, interior centre console and the exterior bodykit help to keep the weight to 10kg or 22 pounds less than the 220HP Exige S at just 925 kg or 2,039 lbs.

The company claims a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of 4.1 seconds (0-60mph in 4.0 sec), a zero to 160 km/h (100 mph) in circa 9.9 seconds a top speed of around 245 km/h (152mph). Combined cycle fuel consumption is said to be 8.5 lt/100km (27.6 mpg US or 33.2mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 199 g/km.

Other features include a launch control system, a variable slip traction control that enables drivers to tune the car to track surface conditions and their own driving style, two-way adjustable dampers from Ohlins that have 60 compression and 22 rebound settings and ride height adjustment to reduce the ride height from 130 mm to 120 mm.

Production of the Exige Scura that will be offered in Japan as the 'Exige Stealth' will be limited to 35 units globally.

Lotus said that orders will be accepted from 21 October 2009 in Europe, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia with prices set at £45,950 in the UK, €61,820 in Belgium, €61,200 in France, €61,885 in Italy, €60,000 in Germany and CHF90,225 in Switzerland.