Unlimited in every sense, the new series production Exige Cup 430 is Lotus’ wildest incarnation of its fire-breathing, point-to-point two-seater sports car.
New to the Exige, the Cup 430 sees the introduction of a high-performance engine installation, mated to a new supercharger and chargecooler, designed specifically for the unique demands of this vehicle. A development of the powertrain recently used on the phenomenal Evora GT430, it’s perfectly paired with a newly-designed body, which delivers enhanced aerodynamic performance.
With 55 hp, or 13%, more power than the limited production Exige Cup 380 model it succeeds, and 220 kg of downforce, it’s a monster of a car. Compared to the Exige Sport 350, it has 24% more power and generates the same downforce at 160 km/h as the Exige Sport 350 does at its maximum speed of 274 km/h.
Lotus’ expertise in lightweight design has played its part in reducing the overall dry weight by 12 kg to 1,059 kg, with the vehicle down to 1,056 kg in its lightest configuration. This, combined with the jump in raw power, raises the power to weight ratio from 355 hp/tonne in the Cup 380 to 407 hp/tonne.
With 430 hp at 7,000 rpm and 440 Nm of torque from 4,000 rpm, 0-100 km/h is dispatched in 3.3 seconds with a top speed of 290 km/h. Helping to harness all that power is range of new aero elements. A new ultra-lightweight front clam with carbon fibre ducts has wider radiator apertures and a new mesh pattern grille to allow for a new front splitter and air curtain mechanism to reduce drag.
The lightweight rear clam panel supports the larger, straight motorsport wing to increase downforce without impacting upon the car’s overall drag coefficient. The new design front and rear clam panels are 6.8 kg lighter than those on any other Exige.
Focused fairly and squarely on aggressive track performance and point-to-point supremacy, the new Exige Cup 430 is capable of covering the Hethel circuit in 1 minute 24.8 seconds – the fastest production car to lap the famous circuit – 1.2 seconds faster than the Lotus 3-Eleven (Road).
The Exige Cup 430 is available as a series production car and can be ordered now, priced £99,800 including VAT (UK) and €127,500 (Germany) and €128,600 (France).
