Just a couple of weekends ago, we were invited to participate in a Lotus Cars-only drive to Genting Highlands along with Ex-F1 legend, current Lotus Ambassador Jean Alesi and Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Operations at Group Lotus. It was a drive not-to-be-missed for me not just because the Genting Highlands' uphill route is still one my favourite weekend pastime, or the opportunity to drive with Mr. Alesi himself, but mostly because we have an Exige S in our possession for a couple of days.
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Having received the Exige S (above) just the night before, I had a few hours to get accustomed to the machine to make sure there'll be no mistakes for the drive up the next morning. Saying that, the Exige S is surprisingly easy to drive. The shifts are snick snack, throttle response is nothing short of a superbike's. Steering feedback can't get any more direct and when coupled with a 240bhp supercharged VVTL Toyota 1.8 2ZZ engine bellowing through a sports exhaust, the result is an intoxicating experience. More on that later.
To launch the Lotus Renault GP team's new collaboration for 2011, they prepared matching LRGP road-going Evoras for the campaign.
Jean Alesi, The Legend, a person with the sort of status on par with the likes of Schumacher was in fact very approachable and especially easy to have a conversation with. He currently lives in Geneva where many F1 superstars also reside and drives nothing short of an Evora in Black with Red interior.
Jean Alesi getting acquainted with other Lotus owners from the club and introducing his latest task as Lotus Ambassador. He also mentioned possibilities of racing in Sepang in an unconfirmed series.
Accompanied by Gino Rosato, Director of Corporate Operations at Group Lotus. Is a food connoisseur, loves motorsports and enjoys the Lotus car boys company and the local delicacies especially spicy curries and sambals.
Assisted by Lotus Malaysia's Head of Division, Mr. Oh Kah Beng, Jean Alesi gets ready for the tour up to Genting Highlands from the Awana Resorts check point leading a convoy of other Lotus cars
As we arrive The Coffee Bean
Silvester and Stallone
Gino Rosato and Angeline
Zen's Lotus Exige GT4 Road Legal Cup car prepared by Aylezo Motorsports. Sporting a cage and putting out 255bhp. To race in the Lotus Supercup Asia GT4 end of May 2011 - Stay tuned.
As the Lotuses descend the hill...
Breathaking Exige S. A weekend in one changes your life, especially being in the group. The Exige S is pretty much a Supercar-looking Go-Kart with air con in an aluminium cocoon with big brakes and a 240bhp supercharged engine that can be driven on the road.
The Lotus Elise S. A more civilized looking Exige S essentially. With a similar supercharged Toyota VVTL 1.8 and no AP Brakes, cosmetics, coupe body, big rear wing and ground effects. But could prove to be as fast as the Exige S with semi-slicks. Awesome.
A fat Elise - with a colour to be seen only through a welder's mask.
Over a dozen Lotus comprising a mix of Evoras, Exiges, Elises
