No Exige for UK or Europe after December

[mota]

Heard the Exige is Ending for the UK market from December not just the 1.8 engines but the whole model.
Does anyone know any more.

[TonyHetherington]

Blimey. That would be surprising.

[400SE Dave]

Might make the values rise ?????? We can live in hope

[TonyHetherington]

Where did you hear that?

[mota]

Sorry but not naming names but it,s a very good source.

[zasker]

This story came out last week as the 1.8 engine doesn't meet Euro 5 regulations. They reckon that both the Exige and Elise in 1.8 format will not be available in European markets. They are bringing out a run out edition of both called the RGB (Roger Becker).

[TonyHetherington]

There's simply no reason for Lotus to do it. The tub is the same as the Elise, so i can't see that they will gain that much. Prepared to be wrong though and who knows maybe they're trying to reduce the variability on their line and make space for the Esprit but - hey, stranger things have happened.

Like I say, would be VERY surprised if true though.

[mota]

Should have said same goes for the Elise but can't see why the New 1.6 shouldn't survive. The special edition is the Swan song for us but if you look at the spec a 260 cup would be the better choice.

[TonyHetherington]

mota said:

Should have said same goes for the Elise

No way. The only way that would happen is if the S3 is ready to go - and it's not.

[mota]

Could keep it as 1.6 only or stick a Proton badge on it so it won,t spoil new up market image Lotus is trying to achieve.

[TonyHetherington]

Your first post said the whole model, not just the 1.8 engine?

[mota]

Sorry, first post says whole model Exige as that is where my interest are. Same goes for the elise but Can,t see why they brought out a S3 unless the markets in america or China etc are sufficient. Also only speculation but I assume the 1.6 is Euro 5 engine so that in theory is still europe friendly.

[otolith]

It's well established that the 1.8 engines are going, and as that's the only engine that the Exige comes with...

[GTRene]

the V6?

said:

After a nine-month hiatus, our spy photographers have once again caught up with Lotus’ mysterious Exige prototype. This crafty camouflage is hiding the next Exige – but nothing was able to hide the evidence of the 3.5-liter V6 from our spies.

With the Exige now in its 10th year of production, Lotus is developing an all-new model to replace the aging coupe. But a new body isn’t all that’s in store for the next Exige as Lotus engineers are readying a more powerful engine package for the two-door sports car.

The current Exige is available with a few variations of Toyota’s 1.8L four-cylinder, with the most powerful version putting out 243 horsepower. However, the prototype seen here is powered by the same 3.5L V6 found in the Evora, generating 276 horsepower.

To go along with that added power, expect the next-generation Exige to feature adequate chassis and suspension upgrades. Judging by the latest shots, the next Exige will grow in length and track.

No word on when the next Exige might debut, but keep an eye peeled for new details.

ofcorse its not that car, but a longer wheelbase and wider track combined with a V6 sounds good to me

Edited by GTRene on Friday 2nd July 13:21

[mota]

But waiting between 2 -5 years for the promised 5 new models on the cards is too long a wait.

[dom180]

Was reported in this weeks Autocar - only the 1.6 engine for the Elise in 2011 (presumably including a blower for a faster model) and the Evora engine for the Exige.