Just when we thought that the Lotus Exige Sport 380 was the most hardcore road going Exige ever, Lotus Cars has just unveiled a faster, lighter and more track focused Lotus Exige Cup 380. Limited to only 60 units worldwide, the Exige Cup 380 will establish itself as one of Lotus’ most collectable road car.
What Lotus has done with the Cup 380 is taking a Sport 380 and dial things up a few notches. First off, the Cup 380 shaves off 9 kg over the Sport 380, courtesy of a new one-piece carbon rear tailgate (-6.5 kg), gas strut delete (-1 kg), carbon side pods (-0.5 kg) and optional interior carbon fibre components (-1 kg). For even more weight savings, customer can opt for the full titanium exhaust system that reduces 10 kg.
Besides that, the body panels are extensively revised to provide even more downforce that further refines the Cup 380’s high speed handling capabilities. New components include front splitter, front access panel, bargeboards, roof, diffuser surround, larger side air-intake pods, one piece tailgate and motorsport derived rear wing that collectively generates 200 kg of downforce at a top speed of 282 km/h.
In the pursuit of optimum downforce, Lotus has gone the extra mile to ensure that the 380 Cup is the best handling Exige ever produced. The front louvres are designed to equalise pressure differential within the wheel arches, thus increasing downforce during high speeds and hard braking whereas the cut-out sections behind the rear wheel helps channel air to the rear diffuser. Even the windscreen wiper has moved to a centre mounted position to avoid disrupting air flow.
To cope with the increased downforce, Lotus has fitted the Cup 380 with fatter rear tyres measuring 285/35 ZR18 (215/45 ZR17 at the front) in size for better mechanical grip. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are fitted as standard. Stopping power comes from AP Racing forged, four-piston brake callipers and grooved performance two-piece brake discs.
Powering the Cup 380 is the same supercharged 3.5-litre V6 that is tweaked to produce 375 hp and 410 Nm of torque. Thanks to a power to weight ratio of 355 hp per tonne, the Cup 380 will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 282 km/h.
Of course, Lotus understands that not all owners of the Cup 380 are keen on taking their beloved ride to the track, so customers can choose to add or delete stuff such as FIA compliant roll cage, full race harness, electrical cut-off and fire extinguisher controls as well as airbag deletion and a non-airbag steering wheel.
Prices for the Lotus Exige Cup 380 start at £83,000 (RM465k) in the UK and €109,900 (RM523k) in Germany. Owners can also personalise their Exige to their heart’s desire via the Lotus Exclusive programme.
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