2009 Lotus Exige Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Those with some serious money in their pockets and a hankering for the track might want to take a look at the 2009 Lotus Exige. This two-seat coupe, basically a stripped Lotus Elise, is short on cabin doo-dads, but long on acceleration and driving excitement. Face it, folks, commuters won’t be driving this sparsely equipped auto back and forth to the office. To the track and back is another story, however, because that’s where the lightweight, supercharged ’09 Exige shines.
The 2009 Lotus Exige is delivered in a choice of two trims, the S 240 and the S 260 Sport. Each comes equipped with a Toyota-inspired 1.8-liter supercharged, DOHC, VVT inline four-cylinder (I4) engine and six-speed manual transmission. The S 240’s supercharged I4 is capable of 240 hp at 8,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. The S 260 puts out 257 hp at 8,000 rpm, and 174 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. The S 260 also sports a unique roof scoop that forces more than a few extra psi of air into the supercharged, intercooled I4.
Both trims exhibit excellent acceleration (0-60 in 3.9 seconds, 150 mph as a top speed) and handling characteristics, but ride quality is simply not comfortable enough to make the ’09 Exige a commuter vehicle. The 17-inch performance tires are true track-grabbers, but not designed for city streets. There is a Tour Pack, however, available with the S 240 trim that features leather-trimmed upholstery, cupholders, a limited-slip differential, and a few additions to the interior technology offerings, but this hardly mitigates the harsh, track-tuned feel of the car.
Standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features for the S 240 include 17-inch painted alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, power door locks and mirrors, sport seats, air-conditioning, alloy and leather interior trim, and a 180-watt Alpine premium audio system with a single-CD player and four speakers. The ’09 Exige S 260 adds leather-trimmed upholstery, iPod integration and MP3 capability for the audio system, a limited-slip differential, and cupholders. Besides the Tour Pack, the S 240 offers such options as Limited Paint, and, with the Track Pack, adjustable Bilstein shocks and Threaded Spring Perches.
Bare-minimum standard safety features for the ’09 Exige include four-wheel disc ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, a remote anti-theft system, a post-collision safety system, and front fog/driving lights.
The 2009 Lotus Exige is a screamer designed only for those who really enjoy testing themselves and their automobiles. Acceleration, handling, and torque all draw raves from owners of the ’08 Exige, as well as a new interior upgrade. Minor annoyances and a lack of luxury take nothing away from the pure driving thrill that owners experience with the Exige.
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2009 Lotus Exige Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Alpine · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 2
Exterior Features
Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Tail and brake lights: LED
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Safety
Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Alpine · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 2
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler color: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Tail and brake lights: LED
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Safety
Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Alpine · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 2
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 2
Exterior Features
Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Tail and brake lights: LED
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 2
Safety
Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: cloth
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent