Lotus is commemorating one of its most famous F1 cars with a special edition of its Exige S road car.
The Lotus Exige S Type 72 is finished in black with gold detailing, mimicking the celebrated John Player Special livery of the Lotus 72 F1 car.
According to Lotus it is “finished by the same sign writer who painted racing cars for Team Lotus.” It will do 0-60mph in 4.5s, has a top speed of 233kph (145mph) and weighs just 935kg.
Director of Classic Team Lotus Clive Chapman said:
The Type 72 was a very significant car for Team Lotus and indeed for the world of F1. It was a revolutionary design that pioneered the use of side mounted radiators to achieve its distinctive ?óÔé¼Ôäówedge?óÔé¼Ôäó profile, which delivered a significant aerodynamic advantage. Furthermore, by minimising unsprung weight and using a torsion bar, rising rate suspension, tyre performance was excellent. The Lotus Type 72 design was so advanced that it was competitive for an extraordinary six years.
Clive Chapman
The influence of Colin Chapman’s innovative 72 can still be seen today. It introduced the practice of mounting the radiators in the car’s sidepods and also featured an overhead air intake for the engine.
Lotus ran different versions of the 72 for six years from 1970 to 1975. In that time it won 20 Grands Prix from 79 starts and claimed the constructors’ championship in 1970, 1972 and 1973.
It also claimed two drivers’ titles for Jochen Rindt, in 1970, and Emerson Fittipaldi. But Rindt was killed when his 72 crashed during preparations for the Italian Grand Prix, and didn’t become champion until after his death.
Last year Lotus produced a special edition Elise in honour of Jim Clark.
Read more: Lotus commemorates Jim Clark with car
LewisC
27th December 2009, 0:34
Stunning looking car. I know a few people with Exiges, and it’s fair to say they’re pretty quick, too!
David A
27th December 2009, 1:10
One word for both cars shown in this article – Beautiful.
wasiF1
27th December 2009, 1:28
Is it possible that in the future Lotus will design their own F1 engine?
Rikadyn
27th December 2009, 6:08
they’d have to design a roadcar engine first…
Icthyes
27th December 2009, 10:34
Looks great – Lotuses are one of my top cars, way above BMWs, Porsches, Audis, Jaguars, Ferraris, and Mercedes for me, and I love the Exige.
Bartholomew
27th December 2009, 12:00
Too much black and not enough gold !
It could look better
Uncle
28th December 2009, 13:29
yep, i agree, not enough gold…
Bartholomew
29th December 2009, 14:09
It needs more silver, chrome, gold or something. Looks like a Batmobile as it is
David
27th December 2009, 18:45
I still dream a great livery new Lotus Formula 1 car. Let me dream for some weeks more…
Katy
28th December 2009, 13:11
Looks amazing. Needs more gold though.
pSynrg
29th December 2009, 0:41
What we actually have here are the colours of a bradn of cigarette.
The Exige looks good but there is more than enough gold on show. To my tastes nothing looks tackier than when adorned with gold.
Spinmonkey
29th December 2009, 5:05
No more gold. Perfect the way it is. Otherwise it’ll look like a gangster rapper’s car. “Check out my Exige YO!”