Lotus Exige S

		Lotus Exige S: Lotus fanatics rejoice again. The legendary British automaker announced this week that itis bringing its most potent street-legal production car, the Exige S, to U.S. shores.By bolting on a Roots-type supercharger and air-to-air intercooler to the Exigeis already potent 1.8-liter engine, horsepower has been boosted 16 percent (to 220 hp from 192) while torque increases 20 percent to 165 lb-ft from 133. With 80 percent of peak torque available at just over 2,000 rpm, the revamped engine has improved response and acceleration throughout the rev range. Weighing in at a svelte 2,077 pounds, Exige S blasts from 0-60 mph in a supercaresque 4.1 seconds -- nearly a second faster than the base Exige. The 100 mph barrier flies by in just 11 seconds and the car reaches a top speed of 148 mph, according to Lotus. Add fuel economy to the list of impressive numbers, as the Exige S is rated at 25 mpg combined, Lotus says. A six-speed aluminum gearbox and Lotus T4e Engine Control System, which includes variable-rpm cam switching for the first time, are also part of the Exige S package and help the car achieve its impressive fuel economy. "The Exige S is a real-world supercar," said Bob Braner, President and CEO of Lotus Cars USA. "It represents the ultimate expression of the Lotus production car and its performance matches that of supercars costing two or three times as much." Other differences on the Exige S include the rear wing, front splitter and side air intakes painted body color instead of black on the base Exige. A single oval exhaust pipe replaces the twin-pipe design and thereis also a revised roof-scoop that helps provide a better stream of cooling air to the intercooler located above the mid-mounted engine. Exige S shares its lightweight aluminum chassis with the standard Exige and Elise, as well as the Exigeis aero package that generates nearly 100 pounds of downforce at 100 mph. Yokohama A048 tires help keep the car glued to the tarmac. Pricing for the Exige S starts at U.S.$56,990. The first copies are expected to hit U.S. Lotus dealerships in limited quantities sometime later this year.