Exige Cup 430
by now, right? Still the fastest Lotus around a track with a roof (we came up with that one, not Lotus), it was deemed good enough to make it to our
best cars list of 2017
. Seemingly not content, however, Lotus has created another one.
As you can probably tell from the name - and have confirmed by the pics - the Cup 430 Type 25 is a cosmetic exercise and nothing more. It is mechanically identical to the regular Cup, down to the last horsepower, millimetre and kilogram. If you need reminding, that's 436hp, 180mph, 62mph in 3.3 seconds and a "lightest possible dry mass" of 1,056kg.
25 versions of the Type 25 will be produced, either in Lotus Racing Green or Old English White, with each version getting contrasting pinstripes and new graphics. Plus a build plaque, of course. Being part of Type 25 club also means buyers will receive a signed certificate of authenticity from Jean-Marc Gales, the Jim Clark: Tribute to a Champion (also signed by Clive Chapman and Bob Dance) and, if you're really keen, the chance to pick up your car from Hethel, including a tour around the factory.
Inside the Type 25 is most obviously different from the regular Cup 430 thanks to the wooden gearknob - it also receives body coloured upholstery and trim inserts. Interestingly, Lotus is packing the Type 25 with kit (all things being relative, of course) with the optional stereo, air conditioning and carpets all standard.
Gales said of the new Exige: "Although the Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 is street legal, it blurs the line between road and race car to provide owners with an unbeatable blend of power, road holding, intuitive handling at any speed." It's amazing he gets any CEO work done with all these soundbites he has to provide nowadays...
Should you want one of these limited edition Exiges, you'll need £110,000 in the UK, a fair chunk above the £99,800 for a normal Cup 430 even after those options added - they account for £3,000. Finally, if you must have a Cup 430 and simply cannot wait, a pair are in the PH classifieds already - both are more than £100,000...
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