This feature is designed for competition use, and as such, its employment will invalidate vehicle warranty on any components subject to the extreme loads associated with racing/drag starts.
This was the first sentence on the sheet given to us on how to use the launch control system on the 2009 Lotus Exige s 260, needless to say, we all had a laugh when we read this. To have a feature on your vehicle that, if you use and damage something, your warranty becomes void is rather frustrating. Especially since the test numbers Lotus is claiming were obtained using the launch control system. This reminds us of another vehicle (cough * GT-R * cough) that had a launch control that if used and something was damaged, your warranty was void, they got rid of it, Lotus, take a hint.
So this leaves me stuck at a crossroads. I love the new Lotus Exige S 260, but for the very same reasons, I hate it as well. Let me explain.
At 6'3" and 210 pounds my relationship with the Exige got off to a rocky start (I'll give you a second to stop laughing at the thought of me trying to get in and out of this car). But once in, our relationship warmed. The racing Recaro's gave me an idea of what I was in store for, as did the very sparse interior.Since we had the opportunity, we turned some laps in the Exige S 260. It has amazingly good brakes that let you go deeper into a braking zone than you initially think you can, and its very quick and precise steering feel gives you immediate and direct feedback. Couple all that to a mid-mounted supercharged engine that loves to live in the high rpm range, and you have yourself one hell of a track car. Everyone that hit the track came in saying the same thing while wearing an ear-to-ear smile: I could do that all day, this car is unbelievable. The track is definitely where this little monster is most happy but driving to the track will take its toll. Between the limited rear visibility, the completely decontented interior, and the engine buzzing away right behind your head, you're going to be tired before you even turn lap one. But once you do, you actually like all the things I just mentioned as being an annoyance.
The S 260 comes equipped with a variable launch control system along with Lotus variable traction control, this is basically same vehicle as the S 240 just with 17 more horses and weighing around 50 less pounds along with a few changes to the aero package. For accel runs, I set the Launch control at 5000, traction control off, then flat foot the throttle, drop the clutch and I'm off. On the next run, I wanted a bit less rpm so I just did it myself. I got to my desired rpm, dropped the clutch -- damn, not enough spin; try it again. Back to the 5000 launch (or so I think), flat foot -- but wait, the rpms are only going to 4000. What's the deal? It seems the car decided to reset the launch revs to the rpm I had just launched from. Now, in order to reset the launch control you have to turn off the car and go through a specific sequence then you're ready to go again. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with launch control systems, they are very useful when trying to get a high horsepower vehicle to hook up, but something weighing just over 2000 pounds and putting out 257 ponies with 174 lb ft of torque, it's just not necessary. With a vehicle like this I would prefer careful use of left and right foot to be my launch control. In a nutshell, I was never able to launch the car the way I wanted which again was very frustrating because I know there is a better number in this car.
Lotus has always been a pure enthusiast car especially since the introduction of the Elise, a car that's much more at home on a track than stuck in rush hour traffic. The Exige S 260 is still very much an enthusiast car, but its lost something with the addition of these "driving aids."
The 2010 Exige S 260 has already been unveiled, but Lotus, there's still time. Before it hits the streets, get rid of the launch and variable traction control and do something about that $79,000 price tag.
[source:MotorTrend]
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