Lotus Rolls Out Another Limited Edition Model

Lotus has unveiled a special edition Exige Cup 430 inspired by its Type 25 race car.

The Type 25 was a single-seat Lotus race car that dominated the 1963 Formula 1 season. To help mark the British automaker’s historic motorsport successes, a bespoke version of Lotus’ quickest real-world sports car was created. Called the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25, it’s guaranteed to become a collector’s item with only 25 units being produced. Each will come with a numbered certificate of authenticity, signed by the company’s CEO Jean-Marc Gales. Owners will also have the option to take delivery from the famous Hethel factory along with a guided tour. Also accompanying each car is a signed hardback copy of Jim Clark: Tribute to a Champion by Eric Dymock, signed by Clive Chapman and Bob Dance, who was a principal mechanic for Jim Clark during his Formula 1 race career.

Powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine, the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 generates 430 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.2 seconds. It’s available standard with a six-speed manual transmission and features Lotus’ acclaimed open-gate manual gearbox. The sports car also comes with a variable traction control function, linked directly to the ECU.

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Motorsport-inspired aerodynamics have been outfitted to the body of the Exige Cup 430, with a carbon front splitter with trailing lip helping separate and speed airflow underneath the car. There are also new air curtain elements in the front clam panel, while the front louvers help reduce the pressure within the front wheel arches. Inside, the two-seater continues with its race-inspired heritage, sporting carbon race seats that are trimmed in black Alcantara. As a nod to the original Lotus Type 25 Formula 1 car, the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 comes with a wooden gear selector knob.

Unfortunately, like most Lotus special edition models, this one isn’t heading to North America anytime soon. Pricing starts from £110,000 including taxes in the U.K., €140,000 in Germany, €141,200 in France, and €146,000 in Italy, including transport.

“We are proud to have named this unique Lotus Exige Cup 430 in honour of the Lotus Type 25, a car which left an indelible mark on the development of motorsport,” said Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales. “It was revolutionary when introduced and the first car to win Lotus a Constructor’s World Championship, the first of seven. It is a perfect example of Lotus’ design philosophy – light, yet incredibly strong and peerless on the racetrack.”

Pricing has yet to be announced, but if you have to ask..

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