Thursday 12th January 2017

Lotus Exige Race 380

Track only mega Exige costs £120K, hits 60mph in 3.2 seconds and weighs 998kg...

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There can't be many people for whom the Lotus Exige Sport 380 isn't quite extreme enough. However, for those truly dedicated to the cause, there's now this: the Exige Race 380.

More wing = more downforce. Much more

Clue's in the name really, this Exige designed to compete in the Lotus Cup as well as "a number of clubman championships". To that end it isn't road legal and comes with a host of motorsport components including an Xtrac six-speed sequential, adjustable Ohlins dampers and AP Racing brakes.

While power is unchanged from the Sport, the Race 380 features all sorts of tweaks to not only drop the dry weight to 998kg but also to achieve a 1:23.5 second lap of Hethel - the fastest Exige lap ever. The windows are plastic, the seat and intake pods are carbon and the airbag is gone. Note as well the engine cover, now an "ultra-lightweight carbon fibre motorsport specific louvered tailgate panel".

Aero tweaks include a new front splitter, that giant rear wing, additional vents front and rear plus a new grille to aid circulation through the engine bay; Lotus claims 240kg of downforce at 170mph, 100kg more than the road car. The ultra-lightweight forged wheels use Michelin Cup 2 tyres, a cassette type LSD is operated by carbon paddles behind the wheel and the Lotus traction control is finely adjustable from inside too. In case the pictures hadn't suggested it, this is a pretty serious racing car.

Jean-Marc Gales describes the Exige Race 380 as "a peerless competition car designed to beat the best". Certainly it would be one way to show up quite a lot at a track day. The Race is available to order now, costing £99,500 plus VAT; see you in the paddock...

[Jesus]

How much??
For a Lotus...?
Never.

Blah blah.

[unpc]

Not sure I see the sense in spunking 100+ large on a track day toy. For that money it'd make more sense to race for real rather than playing at it. That said I hope Lotus sell every one they can make.

[Tickle]

unpc said:

Not sure I see the sense in spunking 100+ large on a track day toy. For that money it'd make more sense to race for real rather than playing at it. That said I hope Lotus sell every one they can make.

Article says:

Clue's in the name really, this Exige designed to compete in the Lotus Cup as well as "a number of clubman championships".

[Vee12V]

How was it able to post a lap time if it clearly only exists virtually?

[Krikkit]

unpc said:

Not sure I see the sense in spunking 100+ large on a track day toy. For that money it'd make more sense to race for real rather than playing at it. That said I hope Lotus sell every one they can make.

With an Xtrac box you can be sure it's no track day toy.

[em177]

Is that a genuine Lotus released rendering?

[GranCab]

Vee12V said:

How was it able to post a lap time if it clearly only exists virtually?

Guesswork ... I guess ...

[cib24]

Is it £99,500 as stated in the article or £120,000 as stated in the headline?

[Cold]

cib24 said:

Is it £99,500 as stated in the article or £120,000 as stated in the headline?

+VAT as stated in the article.

[matjk]

its £100k plus VAT (20%)so the pricing is correct

[RobM77]

cib24 said:

Is it £99,500 as stated in the article or £120,000 as stated in the headline?

£99,500+VAT = £119,400.

[robinandcamera]

em177 said:

Is that a genuine Lotus released rendering?

Genuine
http://www.lotuscars.com/exige-race-380

[Rick101]

Nice to see the weight down. Will stop all those folk who have never had a Lotus coming on and commenting, as usual, how they are amazed a Lotus is over a tonne and how is is all totally ridiculous

I like it, I bet it's an amazing drive. Well out of my price range though.

[cib24]

RobM77 said:

£99,500+VAT = £119,400.

Yes, oops should have read that more closely.

[WCZ]

"peerless"
ok, wonder how much Ultima you can get for £120k

[British Beef]

How much is an Evora GT4?

Seems strange they make 2 competing track only cars, albeit for different race classes.

[Oilchange]

Seems pretty straight forward to me, pick the class to race in, buy the car that fits.

[kambites]

British Beef said:

How much is an Evora GT4?

Seems strange they make 2 competing track only cars, albeit for different race classes.

Do Porsche make racing versions of the 911 and Cayman?

[British Beef]

kambites said:

Do Porsche make racing versions of the 911 and Cayman?

Yes, and Aston even did with the DB9 and V8 vantage for a while.

Presumably to show real race heritage with every model in line up. However, both Porshe and Aston had significant differences in the cars, engines and engine position.

The Evora and Exige, both share the same engine mounted in the middle of the car, my point is that they seem very similar.
An Exige GT4, would presumably be faster than the Evora GT4.

[V8 FOU]

Rick101 said:

Nice to see the weight down. Will stop all those folk who have never had a Lotus coming on and commenting, as usual, how they are amazed a Lotus is over a tonne and how is is all totally ridiculous

I like it, I bet it's an amazing drive. Well out of my price range though.

+1

Brilliant, wonderful. Love it.