Lotus Exige Cup 380 – 53 kg lighter, limited to 60 units

Lotus Exige Cup 380 – 53 kg lighter, limited to 60 units

Building upon the Exige Sport 380 as a base, the Lotus Exige Cup 380 goes further in its quest for weight reduction towards improved performance. Powered by the same 3.5 litre supercharged V6 engine in the Sport 380, it also produces the same 375 hp at 6,700 rpm and 410 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm here. A close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox is the sole transmission option for the Cup 380.

The Cup 380’s performance gains come from its weight reduction and aero enhancements. Its dry weight tips the scales at 53 kg less than the Sport 380, and the aerodynamic alterations add up to provide 200 kg of downforce at the Cup 380’s top speed of 282 km/h.

This is achieved by the extensive use of carbon-fibre components such as the new front splitter, front access panel, bargeboards, roof, diffuser surround, new larger aperture air-intake side pods, one-piece tailgate and a straight-cut, ‘high efficiency motorsport-derived’ rear wing.

Lotus Exige Cup 380 – 53 kg lighter, limited to 60 units

The one-piece tailgate – a sort of tip of the hat to the Evora Sport 410 – in particular saves 6.5 kg, and the omission of gas struts saves a further 1 kg, while the carbon-fibre side pods save 0.5 kg. Inside, the one-piece inner door panels, HVAC console and face-level vent surrounds can also be specified in carbon-fibre, which together save an additional 1 kg.

A wider set of rear tyres have been specified on the Exige Cup 380, where a pair of 285/30 ZR18 rears measure 20 mm wider than those on the Sport 380. Front tyres are 215/45 ZR17 units as before. The weight savings and increased grip result in a lap time of 1 minute 26 seconds at Lotus’ own track in Hethel, a record for a road-legal Exige, the company says.

Four user-selectable ESP modes – Drive, Sport, Race and Off – offer a choice of configurations, and the latter three modes increase throttle response, lower the car’s slip thresholds and remove understeer recognition to hand more control to the driver, while a six-position traction control selector gives the choice of 1% to 12% wheel slip in the first five settings, and fully off in the sixth. An exhaust bypass valve also reduces back pressure at higher engine speeds.

Harnessing the Cup 380’s performance are Nitron two-way adjustable dampers, with Eibach adjustable anti-roll bars front and rear. Braking duties are handled by AP Racing forged four-piston calipers with two-piece grooved brake discs.

Further options are available on the Exige Cup 380, including a titanium full exhaust system which saves 10 kg, while an FIA compliant roll cage, full race harness, electrical cut-off and fire extinguisher controls can be added. The passenger airbag can be deleted, and similarly a non-airbag steering wheel can be specified. Further personalisation can be commissioned via the Lotus Exclusive programme.

Available in Essex Blue, Metallic White, Metallic Silver, Metallic Grey and Metallic Black, the Exige Cup 380 comes as a coupe body only, and is limited to 60 units worldwide. The Lotus Exige Cup 380 is priced at £83,000 (RM467,470 – direct conversion, before local taxes) in the United Kingdom, and €109,900 (RM518,241) in Germany.

GALLERY: Lotus Exige Sport 380

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Henry on Apr 21, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    Should be a very reliable car since it uses a Toyota engine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Kenapa tak guna Campro VVT enjin baru?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
      • K Kinte on Apr 22, 2017 at 8:15 pm

        Nobody buying Lotus lah. Malaysia just syiok sendiri. Why would people want to buy a car that has nearly every part made by Proton? And engine by Toyota?

        Go and see, even the side mirror got the words “Made by Proton” with Proton logo on it.

        If paying RM50k, then people don’t mind. But when you pay RM500k, people get upset when you are buying a Proton in disguise with the name Lotus on it

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 6
        • flatsixenthusiast on Apr 25, 2017 at 2:29 pm

          clearly you are a sad broke bloke and do not have the right education in expressing your thoughts/comments publicly and have zero knowledge in automotive/motorsports…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • Ohwai bin Deswai on Apr 24, 2017 at 1:06 pm

        Lotus memang laju. I suka!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • C. P. MOHAN on Apr 21, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    The limited editions tell me that the long-term direction is EV and autonomous.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Sammy L00 on Apr 21, 2017 at 5:43 pm

    Lotus, reliable kereta nasional.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • syerin on Apr 21, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    With so many iterations, in 2020, exige and elise might weight nothing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Don\t be silly…By 2020 average Malaysian is already 100 kg….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Albert on Apr 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    Do u feel proud to keep producing this stupid car that still bleeds and bleeds,Mr.DRB ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • HT Mao on Apr 22, 2017 at 10:38 am

    the lighter car, more expensive pulak….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • yet another variant….the most boring car brand in the world…they say porsche car design is boring…lotus are even more boring-er ^^

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • sohai on Apr 22, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    60? are you sure they can sell that many?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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