Lotus has finally revealed its newest lightweight creation, the all-new 2017 Lotus Exige Cup 380, a lightened, street-legal track supercar. But the car is not meant for mass production.
Based on the already well-known Exige Sport 380, the Exige Cup 380 has been carefully modified to create a harder, more focused vehicle. As everybody expects from Lotus, the car's weight is staggeringly low. The car is estimated to weigh only at 2,330 lb, making it weigh just 250 lb more than the last-generation Lotus Elise and 2,118 lb less than the Dodge Challenger Hellcat.
A ton of hand-laid carbon fiber pieces has been added that includes a front access panel, a front splitter, barge boards, side intake pods, diffuser surround, rear wing, one-piece tailgate, door sills, HVAC controls, door panels, and face-level vents. The car even has no interior carpets, and Lotus had removed the gas struts that keep the rear hatch open.
In addition, an optional titanium exhaust further decreases the vehicle's weight by another 22 lb. Almost everything that could've been done just to reduce the weight of the car has been done.
When it comes to performance, the 2017 Lotus Exige Cup 380 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 175 mph. This speed comes from the Exige's 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine and is tuned to deliver 375 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.
The powertrain is paired to a close ratio six-speed manual transmission, and now highlights Lotus' open-gate manual gearbox design. But speed isn't the car's biggest strength, handling is.
Furthermore, the Exige Cup 380 receives a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as standard. It also comes with Nitron two-way adjustable dampers, ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels to help decrease unsprung weight and a set of Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars.
Lotus also has revealed that only 60 Exige Cup 380's will be made and will only be available in Europe. Buyers who will be able to purchase the car will have a few options, although they are not the same options in new cars.
Customers have the option to spec their car with an FIA-compliant roll cage, electrical cut-off, race steering wheel, full race harness, and fire extinguisher controls. The 2017 Lotus Exige Cup 380 has a price tag of $106,399 in the UK, while in Germany, the car will cost $117,990 based on the current exchange rates.
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