Surprise! Lotus Taunts Us With Another Limited Edition Exige We Can't Have
Limited to just 60 units, the Lotus Exige Cup 380 is yet another sports car not coming to North America.
The British automaker continues to find ways to cut weight from its sports cars, and this Exige Cup 380 tips the scales at 2,330 pounds (1,057 kilograms) dry. Based on the Exige Sport 380, it’s powered by the same 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque, except it is 117 lbs lighter. The result is a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.4 seconds (zero-to-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds) while having a top speed of 175 mph (282 km/h).
The revised bodywork elements with carbon fiber components contribute to the increased downforce of the Exige Cup 380, and the car generates up to 43 percent more than the Exige Sport 380. The rear also gets wider 285/30/18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
SEE ALSO: A Special Edition Lotus is Finally Heading to the US
Further helping reduce weight are optional carbon fiber components for the interior like one-piece inner door panels, HVAC console, and face-level vent surrounds. Together, they drop another 2.2 lbs (1 kg) over the standard car.
Lotus says the Exige Cup 380 lapped its Hethel test track in 1:26, which is a record for a street-legal Exige.
“Developing the Cup 380 has allowed us to indulge our motorsport ambitions on a car that can be used and enjoyed every single day,” said Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales. “This is an Exige that’s not just unbeatable point-to-point but also capable of winning highly competitive races. The biggest surprise for many is that it’s fully road legal – a considerable achievement considering the car’s performance capabilities. Unlike some rivals’ cars, this is something that really can drive to a track, set the fastest lap and take the win, before heading home. It’s supremely usable, yet outrageously fast.”
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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