Lotus added another version to the Exige lineup with
the introduction of the limited Cup 380, the most hardcore road-legal variant
of the Exige platform yet.
The new model is basically an evolution of the Sport
380, featuring heavily revised bodywork elements which increase downforce by 43
percent, producing up to 200 kg, a dry weight of 1,057 kg thanks to the application of carbon fiber and the company’s extreme engineering
and a power-to-weight ratio of 355 hp per tonne.
0-100 km/h comes in 3.6 seconds while the top speed is 5 km/h slower than what the Sport 380 can
achieve, mostly because of the increased downforce, at 282 km/h. Lotus
will only build 60 examples worldwide, saying that the new Exige Cup 380 will
become one of its most collectable models ever.
The aluminum chassis has been further strengthened
with a steel roll-over bar while the suspension is now utilizing a set of
Nitron two-way adjustable dampers and Eibach adjustable front and rear
anti-roll bars. There is also an optional titanium exhaust system which saves
10 kg off the rear of the car.
The supercharged Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre V6
continues to make 375 Hp at 6,700 rpm and 410 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm
and is mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox with a beautiful
open-gate design. Prices for the new Lotus Exige Cup 380 start from
£ 83,000 in the UK and € 109,900 in Germany.
