Lotus Lightens the Exige With New Cup 380 Model

Lotus is continuing to flaunt its relative success as of late with the reveal of yet another special edition mode. This time, it’s based around the already awesome and track-ready Exige Sport 380.

Known as the Exige Cup 380, this model is an exercise in what Lotus does best: weight reduction and aerodynamics. The latter comes in the form of new louvers over the front wheels that help reduce pressure, cutouts behind the rear wheels, aero blades on either side of the rear diffuser, a straight-cut rear wing, and an aerodynamically enhanced windshield wiper. All this adds up to 200 kg (441 pounds) of downforce at 175 mph – that’s a 43% increase when compared to the Exige Sport 380.

Lotus Exige Cup 380 (Credit: © Lotus )

The second part of the story is a 1,057 kg (2,330-pound) dry weight, which is a 19 kg (42-pound) drop relative to the Sport 380. Helping with the weight loss is the new one-piece carbon rear tailgate that drops 6.5 kg (14.3 pounds), the removal of the rear hydraulic tailgate arms that cut 1 kg (2.2 pounds), the new carbon side intakes that drop 0.5 kg (1.1 pounds), and the carbon-fiber sill covers that cut 0.9 kg (2 pounds).

Inside, buyers will be treated to plenty of open-weave carbon fiber, carbon-fiber race seats, and optional carbon-fiber inner door panels, HVAC console and vent surrounds that cut an additional 1 kg (2.2 pounds). The cabin is finished with Alcantara-and-leather-wrapped seats, contrast stitching, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and new instrument panel graphics.

Lotus Exige Cup 380 (Credit: © Lotus )

Under its hood, the Exige Cup 380 will continue with the same Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a supercharger that cranks out 375 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque. This engine will pair with a six-speed manual transmission, and 60 mph will come in just 3.4 seconds (0.1 second quicker than the Sport 380. Buyers can opt for a titanium exhaust system that not only enhances the sound but drops another 10 kg (22 pounds) from the weight.

Finally, the chassis gets plenty of juicy upgrades. These include Nitron two-way adjustable dampers and Eibach adjustable front and rear stabilizer bars. Under the Exige Cup 380 are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires size 285/30ZR18 on the rear and 215/45ZR18 up front. Bringing this sticky rubber to a stop are AP Racing four-piston calipers squeezing two-piece rotors.Lotus will limit the Exige Cup 380 to just 60 units worldwide, and they will run £83,000 including VAT in the UK and €109,900 in Germany.