Lotus Exige Sprint (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

22 January 2008 10:35

Another day, another new Lotus special edition. This is the Exige Sprint, recreating the colour scheme of the Elan Sprint built between 1971 and 1973. The limited edition Exige, of which just 40 will be built, will come with the lower portion of the body painted in white, the upper part in yellow or blue, and with a gold stripe separating the two sections.

But while the Elan Sprint was first built 37 years ago, the Exige Sprint is actually celebrating Lotus production at Hethel which started in 1967. Each car comes with a chassis number covering the years 1967 to 2007, apart from 1982 when Lotus founder Colin Chapman passed away.

Beyond the fancy paint you also get a heritage pack with a certificate signed by Lotus boss Mike Kimberley, and 'The Lotus Book' by William Taylor covering all the models produced at Hethel. 

Lotus claims the £42,550 Exige Sprint includes extras that would push its optioned-up price to £44,050. This is thanks to the Sprint coming as standard with lightweight forged alloys, air-con, the Sport Pack, the Touring Pack and the new Performance Pack. That means 243bhp and a 0-60mph sprint in four seconds. The Exige Sprint is on sale now.

When will we see something all new from Lotus? It is readying the Eagle 2+2 for an unveiling at the July 2008 London Motor Show; it will be the first genuinely new launch at Hethel since the 1995 Elise.

By Ben Pulman