Lotus Elise, Exige Final Editions mark end of production

Lotus Exige Final Edition / Lotus Elise Final Edition

Since Lotus has been finding its way into many of our headlines, it should be no surprise that their famous track monsters, the Elise and the Exige are on their way out. But Lotus has made sure to give them a not-so-quite exit, hence the reasons why they are releasing Final Editions for both of them.

The Final Editions consist of an Elise SC, the Exige and the Exige S260. Only 15 Final Edition SCs will be sold, with 25 Exige Matte Black models and 30 Exige S260 Final Editions.

The Elise SC Final Edition comes with an option of four select colors: ardent red, aspen white, carbon gray and chrome orange. Special features on the Final Edition Elise SC include a revised rear diffuser, a black perforated leather steering wheel, air conditioning and MP3 capability. Also added on is the preexisting optional Touring Package and that adds leather trim to the doors, center console and the handbrake lever and a limited-slip differential.

The Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition comes with, quite obviously, a Matte Black paint finish, a three-element rear diffuser, leather steering wheel, air con and remote locks with an engine-start push bottom. The optional Sport Pack and Touring Pack are also included standard while Alcantara trim is added as well as sport seats, Lotus’s Traction Control System, iPod connectivity and an adjustable suspension. The engine in the Exige is a supercharged version of the last of Toyota’s 1.8L 2ZZ four banger.

And lastly, the Exige S260 Final edition comes with the same supercharged four banger as the Exige Matte Black edition combined with all of the available packages of the aforementioned models.

Prices start at %58,625 for the Elise SC, $71,025 for the Exige Matte Black, and $68,625 for the Exige S260 Final Edition. However, with a limited run of only 70 cars total, they are bound to go quickly. So if you’ve ever fancied a Lotus Exige or an Elise, now’s the time to whip out the checkbook or the Amex Black Card.

Lotus Exige Final Edition / Lotus Elise Final Edition:

Lotus Exige Final Edition / Lotus Elise Final Edition Lotus Exige Final Edition / Lotus Elise Final Edition Lotus Exige Final Edition / Lotus Elise Final Edition

Press Release:

Lotus Launches “Final Editions” of the Iconic Elise and Exige for North America

Lotus celebrates end of production for renowned North American bound Elise and Exige models with the Elise SC, Exige Matte Black and Exige S260 Final Editions

As the saying goes; “all good things must come to an end”. Such is the case now with two of the greatest, purest drivers’ cars ever offered for sale in North America – the Elise and Exige.

While the Elise and Exige will continue to be available in other markets around the world, the lack of continued availability of the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Toyota 2ZZ engine that powers all North American Elise and Exige models necessitates the stopping of production by the end of August, 2011 for North America.

To celebrate these iconic Lotus sports cars and provide true driving enthusiasts one final chance to acquire pure driving nirvana, Lotus will build and import into the US and Canada just 15 Elise SC, 25 Exige Matte Black and 30 Exige S260 Final Edition models.

2011 Elise SC Final Edition – only 15 produced
To mark the end of an era of Lotus Elise production, Lotus has created the Elise SC Final Edition exclusively for North America. With a supercharged 218bhp engine, exclusive matte black paint detailing on the rear transom panel, roll hoop cover, hardtop and door mirror housings and an unprecedented level of standard equipment, this “Final” Elise makes a striking statement. Only 15 Elise SC Final Editions will be built for the North American market, virtually insuring this Elise becomes instantly collectible. The Elise SC Final Edition will be available in Ardent Red, Aspen White, Carbon Grey and Chrome Orange at a base price of just $57,500 ($66,500 CAD) including all of the following highlighted features:

SPECIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS (beyond details mentioned above)
Rear diffuser with black anodized finish
Black leather perforated steering wheel
Polished aluminium gear knob and handbrake sleeve
Driver and passenger front airbags
Air conditioning
Audio system with radio, single CD and MP3 player with four speakers
Remote activated central locking and alarm system with engine imobiliser
Engine start push button
Extruded aluminium storage tray and machined billet aluminium cup holder
Yokohama A048 high-performance tires
Black 14-spoke forged alloy wheels
Black ProBaxTM sport seats with Alcantara trim
Sport suspension, springs and dampers

UPGRADE OPTIONS INCLUDED IN BASE PRICE
Touring Pack:
Padded leather door panels
Perforated leather door inserts
Leather trimmed center console
Black perforated leather handbrake lever gaiter
Black carpet floor mats with embroidered Elise logo
Noise insulation material
iPod® stereo connectivity
Matte black painted hardtop
Limited slip differential (LSD)
Lotus Traction Control System (TCS)

2011 Exige Matte Black Final Edition – only 25 produced
To mark the end of an era of Lotus Exige production, Lotus has created the Exige Matte Black Final Edition exclusively for North America. With a supercharged and intercooled 257bhp engine, exclusive matte black paint finish, black Alacantara sport seats and a high level of standard equipment, this one of two “Final” Exige models makes a stealthy and aggressive statement. Only 25 Exige Matte Black Final Editions will be built for the North American market, virtually insuring this Exige becomes instantly collectible. The Exige Matte Black Final Edition will be shown for the first time in North America within the Lotus exhibit on Peter Hay Hill in Pebble Beach Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, August 21 and will have a base price of just $69,900 ($80,800 CAD) including all of the following highlighted features:

SPECIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS (beyond details mentioned above)
257bhp supercharged and intercooled 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine
Exclusive Matte Black paint finish
Three-element rear diffuser with black anodized finish
Body-colored rear wing, front splitter, side scoops and roof scoop
Double shear track control arm brace
Black leather perforated steering wheel
Polished aluminium gear knob and handbrake sleeve
Driver and passenger front airbags
Air conditioning
Audio system with radio, single CD and MP3 player with four speakers
Remote activated central locking and alarm system with engine imobiliser
Engine start push button
Yokohama A048 high-performance tires
Black 5-spoke ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels
Limited slip differential (LSD)

UPGRADE OPTIONS INCLUDED IN BASE PRICE
Sport Pack:
Lotus Traction Control System (TCS)
BS4 T45 steel roll-over hoop and struts
Adjustable front anti-roll bar
ProBaxTM sport seats with black Alcantara trim
Touring Pack:
Alcantara door panels
Alcantara door inserts
Alcantara trimmed center console
Black Alcantara handbrake lever gaiter
Black carpet floor mats with embroidered Exige logo
Noise insulation material
iPod® stereo connectivity
Extruded aluminium storage tray and machined billet aluminium cup holder
Track Pack:
Track suspension with adjustable dampers and adjustable ride height

2011 Exige S260 Final Edition – only 30 produced
Lotus has also created the Exige S260 Final Edition exclusively for North America. With a supercharged and intercooled 257bhp engine and a high level of standard equipment, this one of two “Final” Exige models is available in the full array of Lotus exterior colors. Only 30 Exige S260 Final Editions will be built for the North American market, virtually insuring this Exige becomes instantly collectible. The Exige S260 Final Edition will have a base price of just $67,500 ($78,100 CAD) including all of the following highlighted features (certain exterior colors available at an additional cost):

SPECIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS (beyond details mentioned above)
257bhp supercharged and intercooled 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine
Full Lotus exterior color range available (Standard & Metallic paints at no extra cost, Lifestyle & Limited paints at an extra cost)
Three-element rear diffuser with black anodized finish
Body-colored rear wing, front splitter, side scoops and roof scoop
Double shear track control arm brace
Black leather perforated steering wheel
Polished aluminium gear knob and handbrake sleeve
Driver and passenger front airbags
Air conditioning
Audio system with radio, single CD and MP3 player with four speakers
Remote activated central locking and alarm system with engine imobiliser
Engine start push button
Yokohama A048 high-performance tires
Black Y-type 5-spoke forged alloy wheels
Limited slip differential (LSD)

UPGRADE OPTIONS INCLUDED IN BASE PRICE
Sport Pack:
Lotus Traction Control System (TCS)
BS4 T45 steel roll-over hoop and struts
Adjustable front anti-roll bar
ProBaxTM sport seats
Touring Pack:
Padded leather door panels
Padded leather door inserts
Leather trimmed center console
Black perforated leather handbrake lever gaiter
Black carpet floor mats with embroidered Exige logo
Noise insulation material
iPod® stereo connectivity
Extruded aluminium storage tray and machined billet aluminium cup holder
Track Pack:
Track suspension with adjustable dampers and adjustable ride height

– By: Chris Chin