2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72 Special Edition Gets Limited Australian Release

FOLLOWING ITS European debut late last year, Lotus Australia has added a new limited-edition model to the local Exige S line-up - and only three will be available.

Dubbed the Exige S Type 72, the special new model is painted in a unique black and gold colour scheme that celebrates the iconic Lotus Type 72 "John Player Special" that clinched three constructor's championship titles for Lotus in 1970, 1972 and 1973.

Gold pinstriping is applied to the side vents, bonnet vents, front bumper, rear bumper and wing stanchions, while the lightweight wheels feature gold rims and black centres.

The Type 72's 935kg kerb weight is two kilograms more than the standard Exige S, but it comes with more equipment. The Sport Pack is standard, and adds black micro-fibre ProBax sports seats with gold stitching, a steel roll hoop, twin oil coolers, an adjustable front anti-roll bar and Lotus's adjustable traction control system.

Output from the supercharged Toyota inline four is unchanged at 163kW and 215Nm, and the Exige S Type 72 can sprint to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds. Top speed is 233km/h, but despite its performance the Type 72 only consumes 8.5 l/100km on the combined cycle.

Airconditioning and a limited-slip differential are available, and an optional Performance Pack brings larger AP Racing brakes, a bigger roof scoop, launch control and a boost in power to 177kW.

Pricing and Availability

Lotus plans to build only 20 Type 72s for the UK market, 20 for the rest of Europe and an unspecified amount for other foreign markets.

In Australia, just three examples will be available, priced at $109,990 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs - only $5000 more than the standard Exige S.