Extreme new Exige blasts off

Lotus fans, form an orderly queue! The Norfolk firm has announced official details of its imminent Exige Cup 260.

The car features extensive use of carbon fibre and ultra-light components, including a motorsport battery and the lightest alloy wheels ever fitted to a production car.

Power remains untouched – the familiar 1.8-litre Toyota supercharged engine still pumps out 257bhp and 236Nm of torque.

That translates into a blistering 0-60mph time of 4.1 seconds and 152mph flat-out.

However, the new model should be quicker on the track, as the firm’s handling experts have stiffened the rear of the chassis by 30 per cent, fitted adjustable dampers and carved further aerodynamic aids into the Exige’s bodywork.

But the car isn’t just about speed – it’s set to achieve 33.2mpg and have emissions of 199g/km. It will arrive early next year, priced from £45,000.