Lotus Celebration Exige Type 49 and 79 unveiled at Goodwood
15 Jul 2018|1,779 views
The Exige Type 49 and 79 Celebration cars have been handcrafted by Lotus Exclusive in a salute to Lotus' 70th birthday, and the victory anniversaries of two historic race cars that helped define the brand as one of the all-time great automotive marques. On display and in action over all four days of the Festival of Speed weekend, with the Exige Type 49 competing in the timed supercar runs, they're a fitting tribute to one of the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of Lotus' founder.
In addition to 2018 marking the anniversary of Lotus' birth, it's a milestone for two historic racers. With the two one-off cars containing the marque's DNA, the Exige Type 49 marks the 50 years since Graham Hill clinched both the Drivers' and Constructors' World Championship in the Lotus Type 49.
The Exige Type 79 salutes the 40 years since Mario Andretti won his World Championship, and Lotus the Constructors' Championship, in the Lotus Type 79.
The Exige Type 49 and 79 Celebration cars by Lotus Exclusive pack phenomenal performance into one of the all-time great chassis designs. Based on the wildest ever incarnation of the Exige the Cup 430, the Type 49 and 79 set the fastest lap time for a road car around Lotus' hallowed Hethel test track, covering the 3.54km track in just one minute 24.8 seconds.
Showing its potential, the Exige Type 49 is taking to the Hill for the Festival weekend, with demonstration runs over all four days and a sprint against the clock in the timed Supercar run on the Saturday afternoon. Employing a supercharger and chargecooler designed specifically for the potent engine, both the Exige Type 49 and 79 possess 418bhp at 7,000rpm and 440Nm of torque from 4,000rpm. 0-100km/h is demolished in just 3.3 seconds before they reach a top speed of 290km/h.
As the leader in lightweight sports cars, the Type 49 and 79 maximises the benefits of the latest technologies and advanced materials to weight just 1,056kg in their lightest configuration, bestowing the Celebration cars with a power to weight of 401bhp/tonne.
In addition to cutting mass, the carbon composite body panels also deliver the cars' distinctive styling and aerodynamic set up. The high-gloss visible weave components include the front splitter, front clam, air blades, unique bargeboards, roof panel, rear tailgate, straight-cut wing and diffuser surround.
Aerodynamically evolved, the cars deploy up to 220kg of downforce through the careful management of airflow under and over the car. Air curtain elements and louvers in the front clam panel efficiently regulate turbulence and drag, and reduce pressure within the front wheel arches, increasing downforce. The cut-out sections behind the rear wheels also reduce wheel arch pressure, while the high mounted straight rear wing and rear diffuser plant the cars to maximise traction and stability at high speeds.
With Nitron three-way adjustable dampers and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, as standard, the cars use Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, fitted on ultra-lightweight, fully machined, forged aluminium wheels. Superior stopping power is provided by forged, four-piston AP Racing brake calipers and race-derived two-piece, J-hook brake discs - provide improved bite and consistent stopping power after high-intensity track work.


Comprehensively composite in nature, both incorporate carbon fibre front splitters, air curtains, front access panels, side intakes, hard top roof panels, lightweight full tailgate panels, straight rear wings and rear diffuser finishers into their design.
Inside, each cars' racing colours are referenced, with Lotus' in-house manufactured carbon race seats trimmed in black Alcantara, and finished with colour keyed red and gold, or black and gold, contrast double stitching. This is echoed by the door panels and face-level vents, transmission console, and complemented by the cabin's anodised aluminium and carbon fibre elements - including door sills and an instrument binnacle cover.
Topping off Lotus' acclaimed open-gate manual gearbox, designed specifically for fast and fluid shifts, is a wooden gear knob. Lotus Exclusive is available on all Lotus cars, from the entry-level Elise to the range-topping Evora, with a full range of performance options making it truly made to measure.
The Exige Type 49 and 79 Celebration cars have been handcrafted by Lotus Exclusive in a salute to Lotus' 70th birthday, and the victory anniversaries of two historic race cars that helped define the brand as one of the all-time great automotive marques. On display and in action over all four days of the Festival of Speed weekend, with the Exige Type 49 competing in the timed supercar runs, they're a fitting tribute to one of the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of Lotus' founder.
In addition to 2018 marking the anniversary of Lotus' birth, it's a milestone for two historic racers. With the two one-off cars containing the marque's DNA, the Exige Type 49 marks the 50 years since Graham Hill clinched both the Drivers' and Constructors' World Championship in the Lotus Type 49.
The Exige Type 79 salutes the 40 years since Mario Andretti won his World Championship, and Lotus the Constructors' Championship, in the Lotus Type 79.
The Exige Type 49 and 79 Celebration cars by Lotus Exclusive pack phenomenal performance into one of the all-time great chassis designs. Based on the wildest ever incarnation of the Exige the Cup 430, the Type 49 and 79 set the fastest lap time for a road car around Lotus' hallowed Hethel test track, covering the 3.54km track in just one minute 24.8 seconds.
Showing its potential, the Exige Type 49 is taking to the Hill for the Festival weekend, with demonstration runs over all four days and a sprint against the clock in the timed Supercar run on the Saturday afternoon. Employing a supercharger and chargecooler designed specifically for the potent engine, both the Exige Type 49 and 79 possess 418bhp at 7,000rpm and 440Nm of torque from 4,000rpm. 0-100km/h is demolished in just 3.3 seconds before they reach a top speed of 290km/h.
As the leader in lightweight sports cars, the Type 49 and 79 maximises the benefits of the latest technologies and advanced materials to weight just 1,056kg in their lightest configuration, bestowing the Celebration cars with a power to weight of 401bhp/tonne.
In addition to cutting mass, the carbon composite body panels also deliver the cars' distinctive styling and aerodynamic set up. The high-gloss visible weave components include the front splitter, front clam, air blades, unique bargeboards, roof panel, rear tailgate, straight-cut wing and diffuser surround.
Aerodynamically evolved, the cars deploy up to 220kg of downforce through the careful management of airflow under and over the car. Air curtain elements and louvers in the front clam panel efficiently regulate turbulence and drag, and reduce pressure within the front wheel arches, increasing downforce. The cut-out sections behind the rear wheels also reduce wheel arch pressure, while the high mounted straight rear wing and rear diffuser plant the cars to maximise traction and stability at high speeds.
With Nitron three-way adjustable dampers and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, as standard, the cars use Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, fitted on ultra-lightweight, fully machined, forged aluminium wheels. Superior stopping power is provided by forged, four-piston AP Racing brake calipers and race-derived two-piece, J-hook brake discs - provide improved bite and consistent stopping power after high-intensity track work.


Comprehensively composite in nature, both incorporate carbon fibre front splitters, air curtains, front access panels, side intakes, hard top roof panels, lightweight full tailgate panels, straight rear wings and rear diffuser finishers into their design.
Inside, each cars' racing colours are referenced, with Lotus' in-house manufactured carbon race seats trimmed in black Alcantara, and finished with colour keyed red and gold, or black and gold, contrast double stitching. This is echoed by the door panels and face-level vents, transmission console, and complemented by the cabin's anodised aluminium and carbon fibre elements - including door sills and an instrument binnacle cover.
Topping off Lotus' acclaimed open-gate manual gearbox, designed specifically for fast and fluid shifts, is a wooden gear knob. Lotus Exclusive is available on all Lotus cars, from the entry-level Elise to the range-topping Evora, with a full range of performance options making it truly made to measure.
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