The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show - highlights
22.10.2009 - Vijay Pattni
(30)
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the dark side". We reckon Darth Vader was probably talking about this hardcore Lotus Exige Scura - a limited edition road rocket designed to scare small children and dogs unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo motor show.
Lotus tells us the Exige Scura - translated as 'dark' from Italian - apparently evokes "a desire to indulge in the dark side", and demands "to be driven by a serious driver".
To get the Vader look, Lotus painted the Exige Scura in matt black with high-gloss phantom black stripes, a carbon fibre front splitter, side airscoops and a rear spoiler.
You also get launch control, a variable slip traction control system and two-way adjustable dampers, to help make the most of the 1.8-litre supercharged engine developing 260bhp. The 0-62mph dash takes just 4.1 seconds while the Exige will run on to a top speed of 152mph.
Lexus has also unveiled its LF-A supercar, which will cost £336,000. It's an expensive bit of kit, but then you do get a lot of stuff. For starters, there's a 4.8-litre V10 engine - which revs to 9,000rpm - developing 552bhp, a carbon-fibre plastic and aluminium body, and a specially designed six-speed sequential gearbox which swaps cogs in just 0.2 seconds.
The performance is equally mind-blowing: 0-62mph takes just 3.7 seconds and the LF-A will top out at 202mph. It's very quick - but £336,000 quick?
