Cars like the Lotus Exige have become rare. Actually they are pretty much extinct, as the Exige ceased production in 2021, as did the Elise and Evora, to be replaced by the more-modern new Emira. We got a chance to drive the Exige 410 Anniversary Edition. The Exige has been around since 2000, but still as exciting to drive, if not more so.
The Lotus Evora had so far been the only flag-bearer for the British sports-car brand in the UAE since its debut late last year. But yesterday evening, local dealers Al Futtaim Automotive’s Trading Enterprises have just launched the Exige S and Exige Roadster models in Dubai.
The 2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72, yet another one of countless Elise variants, now celebrates the return of Lotus in the 2010 F1 season. It is named after the Lotus Type 72 Formula One racecar which achieved 20 Grand Prix victories between 1970 and 1975.
The Lotus Exige range has always been about offering more performance by losing more weight. The latest Exige Cup 260 takes the 38 kg weight savings introduced in last year’s Cup 240 model, combines them with the extensive body and aerodynamic improvements and revisions introduced on the 2010 Exige in March 2009 and tops them off with new components and technologies.
So far, Lotus cars have officially only gone on sale in Saudi Arabia, while customers in the UAE and the rest of the GCC have to stare in jealousy. Lotus also sells cars in the United States, where they are now offering new a factory-engineered and warranted supercharger kit for naturally-aspirated Elise and Exige models.