The year was 1962; Team Lotus unveiled its revolutionary Formula One (F1) race car bearing the name Lotus Type 25. It was the first F1 car to adopt a fully-stressed monocoque chassis that weighs only half as much as the race cars before it but was three times stiffer than its predecessor, the Type 24.
In the hands of Jim Clark, the Type 25 went on to win three races in its first year and proceeded to dominate the following 1963 season, winning seven out of 10 championship races with seven pole positions and six fastest laps. Earning Lotus’ first Constructor’s Championship and Driver’s Championship.
As a tribute to one of the most successful and influential F1 cars of all time, Lotus had built the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25. Inspired by the Type 25, this collector’s piece gets a bespoke exterior and interior livery and like its moniker, only 25 units of these will ever roll out from Hethel.
Available in either Metallic Lotus Racing Green or Old English White, the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 gets contrasting pinstripes on the front splitter and front access panel. The exterior is further enhanced with bespoke bargeboards, a roof panel, a rear wing and unique decals finished in Lotus Racing Green or yellow. It rides on forged aluminium wheels measuring 17- and 18-inch in diameter for the front and rear axles.
Distinguishing the interior of the Exige Cup 430 Type 25 are the Carbon race seats finished in black Alcantara, a custom stripe for the head and backrest as well as new contrast double stitching for the upholstery. In a nod to the original Lotus Type 25 Formula 1 car, the car comes with a wooden gear knob.
This limited edition Exige gets the same powertrain setup as the regular Exige Cup 430, a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 pushing out 430 hp and 440 Nm of torque, sending drive to the rear wheels via a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission. Century sprint is completed in 3.3 seconds onwards to a top speed of 290 km/h.
Announcing the new car, CEO, Group Lotus plc, Jean-Marc Gales, said, “Although the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 is street legal, it blurs the line between road and race car to provide owners with an unbeatable blend of power, road holding, intuitive handling at any speed. On everyday open roads it rewards its driver with a pure analogue experience, like only a Lotus can, yet venture onto the track and you’ll find a depth in performance that only the very best driver can truly exploit. Like the Lotus Type 25 in 1963, this car is without any rival.”
IMAGE GALLERY
