Lotus Celebrates F1 History With Exige LF1: Forbidden Fruit

Posted By Viknesh Vijayenthiran   

@ MOTOR AUTHORITY  

        

              

 

2014 Lotus Exige LF1

 

Lotus is celebrating its Formula One provenance with a special edition Exige S called the Exige LF1 (Lotus F1). The car marks the 81 victories in F1 that have been made by Lotus-branded cars, from the very first win at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix up to the final one at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.

Designed with Lotus fans firmly in mind, the car brings to the road the iconic black and gold livery of the 1970s and ‘80s Lotus F1 cars. But it’s not just the exterior that gets the special edition treatment; inside, meticulously designed black and gold themes continue. For example, it can be seen in the hue of the leather and the thread of the stitching. The Lotus F1 Team logo is also embroidered on the headrests.

Just 81 examples will be built, with the first to be shown at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month. Each will be individually numbered and come with a limited edition carbon fiber build plate. They will also come with some of the Exige S model’s available performance upgrades such as adjustable suspension, uprated brakes and light alloy wheels (17-inch front and 18-inch rear) shod with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tires.

No changes are made to the mechanicals, which means the car’s mid-mounted, 3.5-liter V-6 still delivers 345 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This is enough for 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph. The car tips the scales at just 2,592 pounds.

Sadly, since the Exige and all of its road-going variants are no longer sold in the U.S. due to regulatory issues (versions of the car for motorsport use can still be ordered), the Exige LF1 won’t be making it to local roads.

Though the Lotus road car division is separate to the current Lotus F1 team, the two have been participating in cross-branding experiences recently. For example, just a couple of weeks ago current Lotus F1 driver Pastor Maldonado was named brand ambassador for the road car division and given an Evora S as part of the deal.