Lotus Sells Out, Offers Exige S with Automatic

In an effort to make its products more appealing to a broader audience Lotus has expanded its Exige range by offering a model with an automatic transmission.

“Heresy!” We can hear you shouting clear across the interwebz, but it’s not going to change the company’s direction on this issue. The Exige S will be available with a six-speed, self-shifting gearbox. Supposedly this adds convenience without diminishing the car’s sporty character.

Surprisingly it should be slightly fleeter than its three-pedal counterpart. The slush-box-equipped car can dash from zero to 100 km/h (62 MPH) in just 3.9 seconds, one-tenth of a second quicker.

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Like other automatics it can change the way it shifts to suit the driver’s needs. Put the car in Sport or Race modes and the gear-changes will be quicker. Of course the transmission can also be controlled via steering column-mounted paddles.

Currently the 2015 Lotus Exige S Automatic is undergoing testing. It’s expected to go on sale in January.

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