Lotus is doing something that, as far as we can tell, no brand has done before. It’s selling a new digital gauge cluster that can be plugged in to your Lotus, preloaded with more than 4,000 racetracks to calculate lap times and analyze your performance. Unfortunately, it only works on Lotus Elise and Lotus V6 Exige models—and the only Lotus sold here is the Evora.
But there is good news. The plug and play display works on those models built from 2008 onward, which means there are plenty vehicles still floating around the United States that can use this system. Lotus says it will be available in international markets, we think that means us. But we’ve contacted the company to confirm.
The 6-inch TFT display can be customized and features a camera input to match and will match to recorded laps. It fit “seamlessly” into the Elise or Exige dashboard, replacing the factory unit. It’s available in the U.K. for 1,470 British pounds, which would convert to about 1,900 bucks. However, many of these international upgrades don’t work on a straight conversion, and we’re waiting to get the price for the U.S. Lotus also offers a fitting service at an extra cost. The display is covered by a two-year warranty.
“We know our customers appreciate the motorsport heritage of Lotus cars and love to use their own vehicles on track days,” said Chris Hinks, Aftersales Director, Lotus. “Integrating a Digital Instrument Pack into an Elise or Exige is only going to enhance that experience.”
As track day enthusiasts ourselves, we completely agree. As a gamer, my only question is, when are we going to get a track map in a head-up display, a la Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport? It can definitely be done, who’s going to be the first?
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