Tuesday 21st August 2012

Track-focused Lotus Exige V6 Cup

Limited-run hardcore Exige adds lightness - and track-ready equipment

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We like the Lotus Exige S. A lot. And there's now a new, more hardcore (and more expensive) Cup version. Launched at the Lotus Festival at Brands Hatch, the Exige V6 Cup is a track-focused edition available in two different specifications: a Track Day version, costing £62,995, and a full Competition-spec car, from £74,995.

Exige Cup hits 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds

The Cup features an array of track-ready kit including adjustable suspension, roll cage, isolator switches, an FIA-approved fire extinguisher, tow eyes, removable steering wheel and HANS-ready race seats with a choice of four or six-point harnesses.

At 1,080kg the Cup weighs 96kg less than the standard Exige S, with which it shares its 346hp 3.5-litre supercharged V6 unit and adjustable traction control system. The car sits on sticky Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo tyres, helping it from 0-62mph in a claimed 3.8 seconds. The Cup tops out at 170mph.

Production starts in December, with 20 cars slated to be built for sale through Lotus Cars' dealer network and directly through Lotus Racing. Production is scheduled to end in March 2013.

As well as general track days, the Exige V6 Cup is eligible to compete in Lotus Cup series around the world, including the UK, Europe, Italy, Japan and the United States. The launch car pictured is destined for the Lotus Cup USA, hence the Stars and Stripes decals.

[MagicalTrevor]

Could do with some details about the differences between the two models

[GroundEffect]

Around a tonne and 346BHP? That's gonna be STUPID fast.

[DanDC5]

Dear Lotus

Could I borrow this for the weekend please?

Thanks

[Rawwr]

Lovely stuff. And those aren't my words; those are the words of Shakin' Stevens.

[Mastodon2]

While I love the diffuser, the exhaust looks utter crap, like an old Fabia VRS exhaust, totally cheapens the look of the car.

[Prof Prolapse]

Rawwr said:

Lovely stuff. And those aren't my words; those are the words of Shakin' Stevens.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

& they paint it in that boring colour.

(yes I understand the historical reference but it just looks crap. Or like a caterham F1 car)

Why couldn't they show it in krypton green, or grey with red wheels or something?!

Or is it the same standard mettalic green press car with the cup parts added along with a yellow stripe.

[stew-S160]

DanDC5 said:

Dear Lotus

Could I borrow this for the next few years please?

Thanks

Sorted that for you.

[DanDC5]

stew-S160 said:

DanDC5 said:

Dear Lotus

Could I borrow this for the next few years please?

Thanks

Sorted that for you.

I'd be happy with a weekend, I'm not a greedy man. Few years would be preferable though.

[Scrambled]

DanDC5 said:

stew-S160 said:

DanDC5 said:

Dear Lotus

Could I borrow this for the next few years please?

Thanks

Sorted that for you.

I'd be happy with a weekend, I'm not a greedy man. Few years would be preferable though.

God, you lot want everything for nothing!

Dear Lotus

Who do I have to sleep with to borrow an Exige Cup?

Alternatively , I do have a spare lung or kidney if that helps.

Kind regards

[Adrian W]

GroundEffect said:

Around a tonne and 346BHP? That's gonna be STUPID fast.

That depends on what you think stupid fast is

[Steveckyuk]

I sincerely hope they offer some better looking wheels for that price...

[muthaducka]

Interesting, Lotus seem to do this to me. This car wouldn't feature in my top 100 best looking cars. How to make an Exige look turd - it's like a cheap kit replica.
Still looks aside it isn't a show pony and with that much power from a supercharged v6 in an Exige chassis, with Lotus handling, that must be awesome to drive around a track. I definitely get the impression Lotus are trying to increase the value / sale price of their cars anyway they can. If this works for them then good luck.

[stew-S160]

Scrambled said:

DanDC5 said:

stew-S160 said:

DanDC5 said:

Dear Lotus

Could I borrow this for the next few years please?

Thanks

Sorted that for you.

I'd be happy with a weekend, I'm not a greedy man. Few years would be preferable though.

God, you lot want everything for nothing!

Dear Lotus

Who do I have to sleep with to borrow an Exige Cup?

Alternatively , I do have a spare lung or kidney if that helps.

Kind regards

Dear Lotus,

I'll do everything he said, plus supply Mars bars if you pick me over him. Ta.

[playalistic]

Adrian W said:

That depends on what you think stupid fast is

You should take him for a spin in yours...

[MiseryStreak]

My wife told me today that if she sells her book she's going to buy me a track car as a present.

Job jobbed.

[DanDC5]

stew-S160 said:

Scrambled said:

DanDC5 said:

stew-S160 said:

DanDC5 said:

Dear Lotus

Could I borrow this for the next few years please?

Thanks

Sorted that for you.

I'd be happy with a weekend, I'm not a greedy man. Few years would be preferable though.

God, you lot want everything for nothing!

Dear Lotus

Who do I have to sleep with to borrow an Exige Cup?

Alternatively , I do have a spare lung or kidney if that helps.

Kind regards

Dear Lotus,

I'll do everything he said, plus supply Mars bars if you pick me over him. Ta.

I'll do everything there, plus supply you with a refreshing beverage.

[Thorburn]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

& they paint it in that boring colour.

They had another couple there at the weekend, one in yellow and another in black: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403851173...

Edited by Thorburn on Tuesday 21st August 15:38

[braddo]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Why couldn't they show it in krypton green, or grey with red wheels or something?!

So that everyone thinks Lotus is trying to make it look like a GT3 RS? That would go down well.

[GroundEffect]

Adrian W said:

GroundEffect said:

Around a tonne and 346BHP? That's gonna be STUPID fast.

That depends on what you think stupid fast is

Well my current car is 240BHP/tonne ish and that's pretty fast.