The second special edition Lotus->ke49 has announced as a celebration of the end of production for renowned North American bound Elise->ke1678 and Exige->ke525 models is called the Exige Matte Black Final Edition. This model will be limited to only 25 units, and will have a price of $69,900. It will make its first appearance on the US market within the Lotus exhibit on Peter Hay Hill in Pebble Beach.

As its name suggests, the 2011 Exige Matte Black Final Edition will be offered in an exclusive matte black paint finish combined with black Alacantara sport seats. It will be powered by a supercharged and intercooled 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 275 HP. Coincidentally, this engine is the very reason why the Exige model will be discontinued. According to Lotus, the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Toyota 2ZZ engine that powers all North American Elise and Exige models is continually unavailable. Therefore, the production of this model will cease for North America by the end of August 2011.

UPDATE 08/18/11: The Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition that will be exclusively sold in North America officially broke cover at Monterey, showing off its stealthy matte black finish for all the crowd to see. Much of the information we've already detailed about the car appears to spot on, but we did add some new information on what to expect when you place an order for any one of the 25 units that's going to be sold.

Hit the jump for details on the 2011 Exige Matte Black Final Edition.

2011 Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition
  • Engine/Motor: mid-mounted 4-cylinder engine
  • Horsepower: 257
  • Transmission: Synchromesh six-speed transaxle with lockout reverse gear, variable slip traction control
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

This particular example actually has a predecessor in Europe called the Exige Scura Matte Black. But the good thing about the Exige Final Edition Matte Black is that it’s got some extra features on it that should make it a lot more attractive to customers, especially those that think that being a ‘final edition’ isn’t as important. Essentially, this model is pretty similar to the Exige Final Edition except for the special matte black paint this one comes in. In addition to that though, you’ll find that most of its features can also be found on the other Exige model, including a touring package with sport seats trimmed in black Alcantara, a track package with double adjustable Ohlins dampers, a torque-sensing limited slip differential, a specially numbered plaque to denote the car’s specific model number, and a set of black 5-spoke ultra lightweight forged wheels with A048 tires.

2010 Lotus Exige S

Performance

Essentially the very same engine that Lotus will put into the other final edition Exige model will also be used on the matte black version. It’s a 1.8-liter, mid-mounted 4-cylinder engine that produces 257 horsepower with a Synchromesh six-speed transaxle with lockout reverse gear, variable slip traction control, and launch control.

Pricing

The Exige S260 Final Edition Matte Black will be priced a little bit higher than the ‘standard’ Exige Final Edition model. Limited to only 25 units in North America, each of these 25 models will come with a standard retail price of $69,900.