August 25, 2006
High-speed, and environmentally friendly. That is the new Lotus Exige 265E, which runs on E85, a blend of 85 percent bio-ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
Those who think that the eco-friendly nature of the study model at the expense of the speed, will be disappointed. The 265E even has 47 hp more than the Exige S. With 265 hp is the fastest Exige ever. The maximum torque amounts to 249 Nm. According to Lotus, it is the fastest bio-ethanol powered car in the world. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds happened and the top speed is 255 km/h.
It was no easy task and the Toyota four-cylinder with supercharger on E85. The required adjustments to the fuel system and the injectors. Bio-ethanol has a higher octane rating than regular gasoline. It is considered as an environmentally friendly fuel since the CO2 emission is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide that the vegetable substances which it is extracted to the atmosphere therefrom.