Lotus will produce 81 special Exige S models this summer to commemorate the company’ 81 grand prix victories throughout its history. Called the Exige LF1, the limited edition model gets a Lotus F1 Team inspired livery featuring a black and gold paint scheme with red accents and gold 17-inch front and 18-inch rear cast alloy wheels.

Exterior features also include badges incorporating ‘LF1’ logo and exclusive black and gold ‘Lotus’ nose badge and wheel centers.

The black and gold Formula 1 inspired scheme is continued in the cabin that features bespoke trim in leather and technical fabric, embroidered ‘LF1’ logos on headrests and floor mats as well as embroidered ‘Lotus F1 Team’ logo on seat backs.

Each car will be individually numbered with its own limited edition carbon fiber build plate celebrating a specific Grand Prix from car #1 commemorating Lotus’ first GP victory at Monaco in 1960 to car #81 marking Kimi Raikkonen’s win at Australia in 2013.

The Lotus Exige LF1 will also feature extras such as the Exige Race Pack with Dynamic Performance Management system, two-piece high performance brake discs and high-performance Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo tyres. For those drivers wanting to optimize their Exige LF1 optional Convenience Pack, heated seats and rear parking sensors are available.

Nothing changes mechanically, with the Exige LF1 being powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 engine from the Exige S which produces 345 hp (350PS) at 7,000 rpm and 295 lbft (400 Nm) at 4,500 rpm. Performance-wise, the Exige LF1 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h).

The Exige LF1 will be showcased in right-hand drive at the Canary Wharf Motorexpo in London from Monday 9 June until Sunday 15 June and simultaneously in its left-hand drive European-spec at Le Mans 24 hours from Wednesday 11 June to Sunday 15 of June 2014. Unfortunately for Lotus fans in the U.S., the car will not be available there.

By Dan Mihalascu

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