Lotus has added yet another limited edition track-focused iteration of its car, the Exige line-up. Based on the Exige Sport 380 and positioned just below the track-only Race 380, the Cup edition will be limited to just 60 units. Lotus intends it to be fit for ‘collectable road cars that the owners would love to drive it to race track and back’.
Power for this car comes from the same 3.5-litre supercharged V6 that produces 375 horsepower and 410Nm. A close-ratio six-speed transmission sends the raw power to rear wheels accelerating the Cup 380 from 0-100kmph in mere 3.4seconds. There are extensive weight saving measures with generous use of carbon fibre and other lightweight materials that cleverly brings down the weight to just 1057kg (62kg less than the standard Exige). This gives the Cup 380 a power-to-weight ratio of 355bhp/tonne, as it goes on to hit a top speed of 175mph.
Additional weight-saving measures include doing away with the boot carpet and gas tailgate struts, as well as replacing standard interior trim pieces with lighter items. The optional titanium exhaust reduces the weight further and there are other tweaks to the bodywork that increase the total downforce on this lightweight car to a whopping 200kg (43 per cent over the Sport 380). The Sport 380 is all set to be honed around any racetrack thanks to a standard roll bar, four driving modes, 12-way adjustable traction control, adjustable dampers, upgraded brakes and wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres all coming in as standard.
Lotus has put a price tag of £83,000 in the UK and €109,900 in Germany.
