The 2008 model year at Lotus brings air bags as standard for the Elise and the Exige, a high-definition LCD message panel, warning symbols are "secret until lit", keeping the instrumentation free from visual clutter and a "Thatcham approved" alarm/immobiliser system. With the introduction of air bags as standard the option packages have changed for the 2008 model year.
Airbags for all
In this safety-conscious age and with more and more owners using their Elise or Exige as daily transport, demand has been growing for standard-fit airbags. Lotus have responded to provide driver and passenger airbags as standard on all
Elise and Exige models; previously they were available as part of the Super Touring option package. The new dashboard has a new, softtouch surface finish.
More than just new dials
The new instrument pack in the Elise and Exige contains so much more than just a fresh pair of – stylishly back-lit – dials. It also features a high-definition LCD message panel that can display a
scrolling text message with vehicle systems information.
The new instrument pack always displays the fuel gauge, engine temperature and odometer, however you can select to display the time (from November 07), trip distance or a digital readout of your speed in the opposite calibration to that of your speedometer dial – if your dial is in mph, the readout is in km/h.
Warning symbols are ‘secret until lit’, keeping the instrumentation free from visual clutter and distraction until absolutely necessary.
New gearchange ‘shift’ lights similarly remain hidden until required. There are three shift up lights, cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated, they flash to indicate that you’re almost on the rev limiter so time to change up a gear
A “key” issue
In response to forthcoming legislation, the Elise and Exige both have a new “Thatcham approved” alarm/immobiliser system. This, in turn, has enabled a new Lotus design of key that incorporates the controls for the alarm/immobiliser and central locking functions. This upmarket key fob features three buttons, the one which locks the doors and sets the alarm/immobiliser is stylishly crowned with the famous Lotus roundel. The second button unlocks the doors and deactives the alarm/immobiliser, and the final button is a panic button.
Complete range of option packages – from four down to two
Partly because of customer demand and partly due
to the fact that airbags are now standard across the Elise and Exige ranges, the number of trim option packages has been cut from four down to two.
The previous Super Touring and Super Sport packages have been dropped, in part because, they included the aforementioned airbags.
The contents of the revised Touring pack, for both Elise and Exige, now includes:
· Full leather or Microfibre suede-effect interior
· Leather trimmed centre console
· Leather handbrake gaiter
· Sound system ipod connection
· Full carpets, with embroidered logo
· Auxiliary driving lights (where legally allowed)
· Sound insulation kit
· Cup holder
The Elise Sport pack includes:
· Bilstein sports dampers
· Traction control
· Twin oil coolers
· ProBax Sport seats
· Hi-Power silver ultra lightweight Forged wheels with standard AD07 tyres
The Exige Sport pack includes:
· Traction control
· Twin oil coolers (standard on Exige S)
· ProBax Sport seats
· Adjustable front anti-roll bar
· T45 roll bar, with integrated harness mounts
The beauty of the Touring and Sport packs is that they can be combined so a customer can have the additional interior and exterior equipment from the Touring pack with the sport focussed equipment from the Sport pack.
Air conditioning, Lotus traction control, limited slip differential and hardtop are available as stand-alone options.
Customers wanting to add further finishing touches to their Lotus – such as specifying an Exige with the adjustable dampers and forged wheels that were part of the old Super Sport option pack – will still be able to order from an extensive range of accessories.
As part of the 2008 Model Year enhancements, the Elise, Exige and Europa paint ranges have been revised, with some less popular shades being dropped and new colours, including some vibrant pearlescent colours, being introduced.
The new Premium Colour Range has been designed to further enhance the choice for customers to individualise their cars. Most of the paints in this range require a more sophisticated manufacturing process and are from our paint supplier’s premium range. The paint colours in this range have been individually priced, and it is Lotus’ intention to extend and change this range at periodic intervals.
