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Lotus Exige S Automatic Specs Released, Shifts Faster than an Aston Martin Vanquish

The Lotus Exige S is probably the only sportscar you need - racing engineered yet very simple and with a minimum driving nannies, lightweight, can be had with an open top, it has a mid-mounted engine and it also looks incredibly good. Still, if that simplicity is the thing that scared you away, the company just fitted the car with a new automatic gearbox, so swapping cogs won’t be your business anymore.
2015 Lotus Exige S 5 photos
Photo: Lotus
2015 Lotus Exige S2015 Lotus Exige S steering wheel2015 Lotus Exige S automatic2015 Lotus Exige S
Yes, the Exige S can now be had with an optional six-speed automatic gearbox available on both the coupe and roadster versions. It could water down the true Exige driving experience, but the automaker says it is 0.1 seconds faster in the 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint, which is now done in 3.9 seconds.

Instead of the traditional shifter, the central console now holds the Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive buttons while the sport steering wheel now comes with forged aluminum paddle shifters. Tapping the “+” one will upshift the gear in a respectable 240 milliseconds. Just a hair slower than a Lexus LFA or a Nissan GT-R.

More numbers

They haven’t measured how long it takes for a downshift, but the action is said to be accompanied by a throttle-blip when the transmission is set on Sport mode. This also increases throttle response and the Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) increases traction slip thresholds to allow the driver “play” more with the car.

The same function also opens the engine exhaust bypass valve at mid-to-high engine speeds so you can hear more of that 3.5-liter supercharged V6 symphony at the back.

Speaking of the engine, this cranks 350 hp and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, being able to push the 1,182 kg (2,605 lb) car up to a top speed of 261 km/h (162 mph), thanks to the car’s power to weight ratio of 296 hp/ton.

Fuel consumption is measured at 13.6 l/100 km (20.7 mpg UK/17.3 mpg US) city, 7.2 l/100 km (39.2 mpg UK/32.6 mpg US) highway and 9.6 l/100 km (29.4 mpg UK/24.5 mpg US) combined, while CO2 emissions register 222 g/km compared with the 235 g/km on the manual version.

Order books are already open, with the suggested retail price for the six-speed automatic box being set at £1,667 or €2,185.
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