2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 revealed
The Lotus Exige Cup 430 has been revealed this week, tipped as the “most extreme” example of the British sports car ever produced.
Unlike most of the company’s recent new models, the Exige Cup 430 is a series-production variant – so no, this isn’t just another Lotus special.
Headlining the upgrades is a reworked 3.5-litre supercharged V6, developing 320kW (430hp) of power and 440Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.
With the extra grunt, the lightweight racer is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 3.3 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 290km/h (180mph).
Compared to the previous Exige Cup 380 – which was a limited-run version – the Cup 430 has 15 per cent more power, 9 per cent more downforce allocated to the front, while the interior shaves some 2.5 kilograms.
Headlining features include an array of carbon-fibre components – the front splitter, ‘front access panel’, side air intakes, tailgate and “race-derived” fixed rear wing.
Ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels fill the arches (17-inch front, 18-inch rear), wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber (215/45 front 285/30 rear). Behind those rims are forged four-piston AP Racing brake calipers mated to two-piece J-hook brake discs.
Other highlights include a T45 steel roll bar, a lithium-ion battery, front towing eye, carbon-fibre race seats trimmed in Alcantara, along with Alcantara finishes for the doors, dashboard and centre console – though leather or tartan are available as a no-cost option.
It’s also the quickest production car around Britain’s Hethel circuit – recording a lap time of 1 minute 24.8 seconds.
The Lotus Exige Cup 430 is available in Europe now from 99,800 pounds ($170,747) in the UK, or 127,500 euros ($193,307) in Germany.
Australia
We’ve contacted Lotus’s local division regarding the Australian introduction of the Exige Cup 430. Stay tuned for an updated.
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