New car sales price Lotus Exige S Roadster

For those lucky types seeking an alternative to a Porsche or something similar, there's now a tantalising Lotus drop-top to throw into the mix. It's the fastest-ever convertible Lotus that's due to lob here in time for summer.

PERFORMANCE

Called the Lotus Exige S Roadster, it combines open top driving with supercar performance and the ability to clock a 0-100 kmh sprint in four seconds, a tad more with the roof off.

Sitting alongside the Exige S and its race track variants, the Exige Cup and Exige Cup R, the Exige S Roadster completes the Exige line-up and enhances the track focussed collection by providing a new facet to the range.

Powered by the same supercharged 3.5-litre, V6 (toyota sourced engine) as the coupe variants and weighing in at 10kg less than the Exige S at 1166kg, none of the exhilarating performance of the exciting Exige range is compromised. The driver is only “two clicks and a roll” away from cruising in open-top style thanks to the lightweight, factory-fitted soft top.

BARGAIN

Launched in Australia earlier this year, the Lotus Exige S hardtop is priced at a Porsche beating price of $119,990 and provides a level of performance and handling that can only be described as a bargain at this price.

Achieving 0-100 kmh from a standing start in 4.0 seconds, delivering 257.5kW at 7000 , the Exige S Roadster matches the coupe's mechanical spec' but style takes an understated approach having shed its rear wing and front splitter to maximise airflow over its sleek silhouette.

The Exige S Roadster is the perfect car for a “joy” ride. Exige S Roadster is now available to order and full specifications and pricing will be announced when the new model arrives in the first quarter of 2014.

The Exige S Roadster 

Max Power: 257.5 kW at 7000 rpm
Max Torque: 400Nm 4500 rpm
0 -100 km/h: 4.0 seconds
Weight: 1166 kg
Engine: Mid-mounted, transverse 3.5-litre, DOHC, V6 VVTi, 24-valve equipped with Harrop HTV 1320 Supercharger.
Transmission: 6-speed manual with sports ratios.
Suspension: Fully independent double wishbone suspension with front and rear anti-roll bar. Bilstein high performance gas dampers and Eibach coaxial springs.
Brakes: AP-Racing four-piston calipers with ventilated and cross drilled cast-iron discs.
Wheels and tyres: Lightweight cast alloy wheels (17 -inch front and 18-inch rear) clad with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres.