As many car enthusiasts know, it’s hard to create a car that can be used for both the street and the race track. Certain compromises will have to be made in terms of comfort, meeting legal regulations, and the like. Yet some carmakers, such as Lotus Cars, have managed to marry both worlds into one exciting package.
Case in point is the Lotus Exige Cup 380. Taking its cue from the already sporty Exige Sport 380, this one makes things even lighter, faster, and thus, more exciting without compromising everyday usability. The lightweight 1,057kg dry weight, for instance, is a result of the extensive use of hand-made carbon fiber components in such places as the front access panel, roof, diffuser, tailgate, air intake side pods, and a motorsport-derived rear spoiler.
The low mass is complemented by a massive downforce of 200kg at a top speed of 282kph. This is achieved by strategically placed vents, and wider rear tires (285/30R18 versus 265/35R18 on the Sport 380). Ensuring optimum handling and stiffness is a T45 roll over bar. These make the car ultra-grippy at full tilt.
The quick 0-100kph time of 3.4 seconds and top speed of 282kph are further ensured by more carbon fiber bits inside the cabin. Everything from the seats, door panels, and trims are finished in the stuff. Despite its performance credentials, the Lotus Exige Cup 380 is likewise a luxurious sports car with Alcantara-covered chairs in either leather or tartan, as well as employing easy-to-read graphics on the instrument cluster. This makes concentrating on the business of driving much easier, by the way.
Under the hood throbs a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 that puts out 375hp and 410Nm of torque. Mated to an open gate 6-speed manual gearbox, the car is capable of lapping the Hethel track in just 1 minute, 26 seconds. And with four available Electronic Stability Program modes of Drive, Sport, Race, and Off, drivers can personal the drive to their liking.
The Lotus Exige Cup 380 will be available to order. Better hurry, though, as it will only be limited to a 60-unit production run.
