Tokyo supercar: Lotus Exige Stealth
Tokyo might not seem like the natural place for small British sportscar maker Lotus to reveal a new model but it's done exactly that. Alongside the Japanese debut of the Evora, Lotus rolled out its Exige Stealth: a matte-painted machine that'd look perfect in Darth Vader's garage.
What's all the fuss about?
A special edition Lotus is always going to cause a stir and this Stealth one in Tokyo did exactly that. The flat paint gives this limited-run machine a look that lives up to its name, the contrasting gloss black stripes and carbon fibre trim making it about the most aggressive looking Exige we've ever seen. The most touched too, nobody passing it able to resist the temptation to feel the soft finish of the paintwork. Only 35 will be built and five are earmarked for Japanese customers.
Any new technology?
Not really, except that fancy paint - which unlike others is a proper matte finish rather than a matte lacquer over regular paint. It's about 10kg lighter than the regular 260bhp Exige Cup car it's based on. Sold as the Stealth in Japan only, it'll be called Scuda elsewhere in the world - which is Italian for 'dark', apparently.
When can I buy one?
Now, but you'll need to be quick. The Lotus representative on the stand reckoned they'd all be sold fairly quickly, with only a handful of the 35 left. That's worldwide too, so if you’ve not already rung up Hethel and wired them some money it’s likely you’ll be too late. At £45,000 each perhaps that’s not a bad thing, though.
