Lotus Exige S gets automatic transmission option
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Lotus Exige S gets automatic transmission option
Official: (and not available Stateside)
23 October 2014
Lotus Expands Exige Product Range with Introduction of Exige S Automatic
Offering the involvement of a manual paddle-shift with all the convenience of an automatic, the Exige S Automatic comes with a 6-speed transmission that has been specifically tailored to the sporty characteristics of the Exige.
Integrating smooth and intuitive gear shifts with engine response and exhaust note, the Exige S Automatic provides its driver with all round engagement and excitement and reflects the Lotus DNA of pure driving experience.
For drivers who enjoy a more spirited drive, the gear-shift characteristics have been calibrated to reflect the dynamic system changes that are activated when the driver selects either 'Sport' or 'Race' mode. Optimised gear selection and response deliver quicker all-round performance when a sportier experience is desired.
Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer, Group Lotus plc said, "By introducing a paddle-shift, we have expanded the Exige product range to make it more accessible to customers worldwide. Now, customers who are more accustomed to two pedals and automatic transmissions can enjoy the unbelievable performance and handling of the Exige S without compromise."
The new Exige S Automatic is currently completing its final stages of testing and is anticipated to exceed the manual variant in performance when it goes on sale in January 2015. In fact, the Exige S with automatic transmission as fast as its manual counterpart around the Hethel testtrack and achieves the 0 - 100 km/h sprint achieving, 0.1 seconds quicker than the Exige S manual in 3.9 seconds.
Automatic transmission will be available as a cost option to the Exige S and Exige S Roadster models in all markets where the Exige is currently on sale. Prices for UK customers will be £2,000 including VAT and €2,185 in Europe excluding local taxes.
Lotus Expands Exige Product Range with Introduction of Exige S Automatic
Offering the involvement of a manual paddle-shift with all the convenience of an automatic, the Exige S Automatic comes with a 6-speed transmission that has been specifically tailored to the sporty characteristics of the Exige.
Integrating smooth and intuitive gear shifts with engine response and exhaust note, the Exige S Automatic provides its driver with all round engagement and excitement and reflects the Lotus DNA of pure driving experience.
For drivers who enjoy a more spirited drive, the gear-shift characteristics have been calibrated to reflect the dynamic system changes that are activated when the driver selects either 'Sport' or 'Race' mode. Optimised gear selection and response deliver quicker all-round performance when a sportier experience is desired.
Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer, Group Lotus plc said, "By introducing a paddle-shift, we have expanded the Exige product range to make it more accessible to customers worldwide. Now, customers who are more accustomed to two pedals and automatic transmissions can enjoy the unbelievable performance and handling of the Exige S without compromise."
The new Exige S Automatic is currently completing its final stages of testing and is anticipated to exceed the manual variant in performance when it goes on sale in January 2015. In fact, the Exige S with automatic transmission as fast as its manual counterpart around the Hethel testtrack and achieves the 0 - 100 km/h sprint achieving, 0.1 seconds quicker than the Exige S manual in 3.9 seconds.
Automatic transmission will be available as a cost option to the Exige S and Exige S Roadster models in all markets where the Exige is currently on sale. Prices for UK customers will be £2,000 including VAT and €2,185 in Europe excluding local taxes.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: California
Lexus Champion
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From: The Woodlands, TX
Thread Starter
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From: California
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,906
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From: NJ
terrible. I had a lotus exige and it was the purest, possibly the best handling car i will ever get to drive (really would like to be proven wrong).
Putting in an autobox takes away what makes the car special. No one drives this thing for the purpose of going to work, going on a date, going to run errands. The clutch bites hard when cold, the thing is loud as hell (i wear ear plugs), and the attention it gets is off the the charts.
Though I have to admit, the shifting feel in the car was terrible. Vague, throws were overly long, and once in a while it will slap me out of gear the instant i put it into gear.
Putting in an autobox takes away what makes the car special. No one drives this thing for the purpose of going to work, going on a date, going to run errands. The clutch bites hard when cold, the thing is loud as hell (i wear ear plugs), and the attention it gets is off the the charts.
Though I have to admit, the shifting feel in the car was terrible. Vague, throws were overly long, and once in a while it will slap me out of gear the instant i put it into gear.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,237
Likes: 274
terrible. I had a lotus exige and it was the purest, possibly the best handling car i will ever get to drive (really would like to be proven wrong).
Putting in an autobox takes away what makes the car special. No one drives this thing for the purpose of going to work, going on a date, going to run errands. The clutch bites hard when cold, the thing is loud as hell (i wear ear plugs), and the attention it gets is off the the charts.
Though I have to admit, the shifting feel in the car was terrible. Vague, throws were overly long, and once in a while it will slap me out of gear the instant i put it into gear.
Putting in an autobox takes away what makes the car special. No one drives this thing for the purpose of going to work, going on a date, going to run errands. The clutch bites hard when cold, the thing is loud as hell (i wear ear plugs), and the attention it gets is off the the charts.
Though I have to admit, the shifting feel in the car was terrible. Vague, throws were overly long, and once in a while it will slap me out of gear the instant i put it into gear.
Terrible would be if they only had auto.
And Lotus has such low sales that anything they can do to raise them will help all of their current and future owners out.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,368
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From: Socal
But really, how many people are going to buy a lotus with an automatic? Many non enthusiast never heard of the car and rather have a car with brand recognition like BMW or Benz or Porsche if they were to get a 2 seater automatic car.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,906
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From: NJ
When I sold the lotus, everyone that said they want to see the car and drive it to see if its for them, I flat out told them that people who buy these know what are getting into (read: masochist). No one "tries" a lotus to see if its for them because lotus, specially the exige, is hardcore as f***. Believe me on this one.
And hence their problem, people want a high performance car but dont want the car to be in track mode 100% of the time. Auto or not it wont change it.
And rumor on the lotus forums is that it is a slush box, not an automated manual.