Final ever Lotus Exige Cup 430 for sale
The S3 Exige was at its bonkers best in Cup form - time to own a bit of Hethel history?
You’ve probably seen the disappointing news this week that Lotus is threatened by yet more job losses. It’s clearly a tough time for all right now, what with tariffs and mandates and regulations, but never more so than a niche player embarking on the most drastic reinvention in its history. Let’s hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the firm soon; it has created too many wonderful cars, and made too many fond memories for legions of enthusiasts, not to thrive.
In the meantime, it’s hard not to seek solace from the current predicament in the recent past. The really recent past, actually, in the shape of this 2022-registered, 150-mile, Exige Cup 430. The very last Final Edition made for the UK, in fact, and the only one of them produced in Vivid Green. Which looks absolutely brilliant alongside yellow calipers outside and red accents for the cabin, though we’re yet to see a colour combo the S3 Exige doesn’t suit.
The Cup 430 was a proper hardcore Hethel hero. Introduced way back in 2017, it married the most powerful version of the supercharged V6 with the lightest possible sports car that could contain it - with predictably awesome results. Supercar-rivalling power-to-weight with proper motorsport hardware - this was the first Lotus with three-way adjustable dampers - made for an extreme sports car even by Lotus standards. It was as fast to 60mph as a McLaren F1 and lapped the Hethel test track more than a second ahead of any Exige before it. Even at a time of new special edition Lotuses every week, the Cup 430 was a very special Exige. This V6 era tended to be referred to as the mini Group C Exiges, which was typically apt - only for the 430 it felt a little tame…
Which is probably why not very many sold. And why Lotus had to diversify its product offering; there are only so many stripped-out sports car buyers out there, and they don’t tend to chop and change their cars all that often. According to the advert for this one, just 23 Cup 430 Exige Final Editions were made, alongside the few standard versions made since the 2017 introduction.
A six-figure price tag at the end won’t have helped its cause, and neither will the brilliance of a normal Exige; for most folk, a regular Sport 350 or similar would have been more than enough. On the other hand, those who must have the ultimate, and who crave a truly limited-run Lotus, could surely be easily tempted by a Cup 430 of this calibre. As well as being the last, it’s a dreamy spec: the later digital dash, plentiful carbon, air con but no radio - the lightweight essentials and nothing more.
Given just 150 miles from new - just one mile was added between the 2024 service and this year’s check-up - it must surely have been bought with long-term investment in mind. But for whatever reason the Exige is now available, the £110k asking price is about what it would have cost in ‘22, if not a bit less given the options added on. Cheaper versions with miles are available, and there’s really not anything with a roof to rival a Cup 430 for sheer exhilaration on road and track; which is why it remains one of the most special Lotuses of recent times. The significance of this one will surely make it collectable in the future, whatever Lotus’s predicament, but we’d be confident that whoever takes it on next will get themselves through 150 miles quite a bit quicker.
I’ve never read or heard of the S3 Exige being described as a mini-group C racer, unlike the older generations which are commonly referred to that way, especially the S1.
"Sport and racing car manufacturer Lotus Cars announced it has officially completed its $1.2 billion production facility in Wuhan, China where several of the company’s future BEVs will be built"
TX .
The SUVs, saloons, etc. are designed and built in China. The sports cars are designed and built in the UK. Phenomenal pace with 350bhp. Add in the trick bits and power and worth every penny. Will hold money well and superbly reliable and cheap to run compared to alternatives. I know quite a few McLaren owners who have gone back to Exiges as they can be driven properly on our roads and are more accessible.
Just for goodness sake don’t drive one, or you will have to buy it. They’re that good.
Can vouch for the seller too. Viewed a 570s with them and they were genuine and helpful with some real exotica there.
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