Last-ever Lotus Exige LF1 for sale

There was a bizarre controversy in Components 1 again in 2011 about the use of the Lotus name. Team Lotus, which had returned to the activity a year prior as one particular of the new budget squads, argued that it owned the legal rights to the primary title and could hence use the Lotus badge. In the meantime, the group previously known as Renault experienced entered into a partnership with Lotus Cars and trucks for the season, and understandably chose to plaster its motor vehicle with Lotus badges and a retro black and gold livery.

Inspite of sharing the same title, their fortunes in F1 were being completely unique. Workforce Lotus rebranded as Caterham F1 the next yr in advance of dropping out of the sport entirely in 2014 because of to usually rubbish effects. The Renault-backed Lotus F1 squad, on the other hand, would go on to gain a pair of races with Kimi Raikkonen over the subsequent two yrs and even challenge for the title (kind of). 

To celebrate its return to profitable, Lotus Automobiles released 81 illustrations of the minimal edition Exige LF1 to mark its wins (and people of the original Group Lotus) amongst 1960 and 2013. This unique case in point is the 81^st and remaining vehicle to roll off the line and, consequently, was crafted to commemorate Raikkonen’s victory at the 2013 Australian GP. Again then we imagined it could convert into a title obstacle…

Anyway, the major giveaway that this is a person of the LF1 autos is the paintwork. Although Lotus F1 vehicles have worn many liveries more than the earlier 70 decades – not least the awesome purple and gold liveries from the late ‘60s and daring yellow scheme from the Camel times – each individual example of the LF1 was completed in black and gold. Let’s face it, it’s likely the very best motorsport livery of all time – even though we’re pleased to be proved mistaken in the comments.

It looks outstanding on the Exige, with red accents on the entrance splitter, wing mirrors and brakes, as properly as a small stripe that stops shy of the bonnet vent. If the paintwork was not shouty ample, there are a handful of LF1 badges dotted close to the exterior as nicely as a black and gold edition of the Lotus badge.

Granted, there is not a total ton the company could do to jazz up the interior of the Exige provided how spartan the foundation vehicle is, but you do get black and gold sports activities seats with the Lotus F1 staff name embroidered into the backrest and the LF1 brand stitched into the flooring mats. Gold stitching in the doorways inserts is a surprising contact of luxury from Lotus and you could even spec a radio – an possibility the preceding proprietor ticked on this car or truck.

Mechanically, the LF1 is equivalent to the Exige S, with ability coming from a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 that churns out 350hp and 295lb ft of torque. You do, nonetheless, get the optional Race Pack thrown in for absolutely free, which includes a Dynamic General performance Administration, two-piece brakes and stickier Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tyres.

Thankfully, the prior owner went to town on the options listing. This vehicle arrives with air conditioning, heated seats and parking sensors. Furthermore, when you think about that this is a minimal-operate auto with an F1 website link and the very last of its variety, it looks like a sizeable amount of auto for its £47,995 inquiring cost. The previous proprietor has even thrown in Corgi and Scalextric models of Raikkonen’s race-profitable vehicle, additionally a 1:2 scale replica of… Romain Grosjean’s helmet. Still very temping, however.