Lotus Exige Cup 430 launched as 'most extreme Exige ever'
Costing £99,800, the 1,056kg Lotus Exige Cup 430 is the Norfolk marque's track-day swansong with 430bhp
Lotus has introduced the ‘most extreme Exige ever conceived’, in the form of the Exige Cup 430. It boasts extra power, extra downforce and a sub-£100,000 price tag.
Not too long ago, the Norfolk-based manufacturer launched the track-orientated Exige Cup 380, and they haven't taken long come up with an even more extreme variant in the Cup 430. The same engine under the bonnet of the Evora GT430 Sport powers the Cup 430, with 430bhp and 440Nm of torque produced by the 3.5-litre supercharged Toyota V6 engine.
Weight has been reduced to 1,056kg and 0-62mph is completed in just 3.3 seconds. Top speed is 180mph, 35mph higher than the standard Exige S and 5mph faster than the Exige Cup 380. The body has been refreshed in Cup 430 guise, generating 220kg of downforce at high speed.
New carbon fibre ducts and an ultra-lightweight front clam have been fitted to the Exige Cup 430 as part of the aerodynamic makeover. A new front splitter and air curtain mechanism has been fitted along with a wider radiator to suck more air in.
The Exige Cup 430 is designed primarily for track use, running on sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and a six-speed close ratio transmission. Lotus claims it can lap its Hethel circuit in Norfolk in 1 minute 24.8 seconds, 1.2 seconds quicker than the 3-Eleven track monster.
Prices start at £99,800 for the Exige Cup 430, which is £16,800 more than the Exige Cup 380. While the Cup 380 was built in limited numbers, the Cup 430 is available more readily as a series production car.
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