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Exige Cup 430
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  Lotus Exige Cup 430      

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Country of origin:Great Britain
Introduced in:2018
Source:Company press release
Last updated:November 09, 2017
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Click here to download printer friendly versionUnlimited in every sense, the new series production Exige Cup 430 is Lotus' wildest incarnation of its fire-breathing, point-to-point two-seater sports car.

New to the Exige, the Cup 430 sees the introduction of a savage, high-performance engine installation, mated to a new supercharger and chargecooler, designed specifically for the unique demands of this vehicle. A development of the powertrain recently used on the phenomenal Lotus Evora GT430, it's perfectly paired with a newly-designed body, which delivers enhanced aerodynamic performance to reveal the model's true potential. The result is a strikingly different beast of pure performance, that's not for the faint of heart.

With 55 hp, or 13%, more power than the limited production Exige Cup 380 model it succeeds, and 220 kg of downforce, it's a monster of a car. Compared to the Exige Sport 350, it has 24% more power and generates the same downforce at 100 mph as the Exige Sport 350 does at its maximum speed of 170 mph.

Lotus' expertise in lightweight design has played its part in reducing the overall dry weight by 12 kg to 1,059 kg, with the vehicle down to 1,056 kg in its lightest configuration. This, combined with the dramatic jump in raw power, raises the Cup's power to weight from 355 hp / tonne (Cup 380) to 407 hp / tonne.

With 430 hp at 7,000 rpm and 440 Nm (325 lbft) of torque from 4,000 rpm, 0-60mph is dispatched in 3.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds) with a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). Helping to harness all that power, the Cup 430 benefits from a comprehensive range of new aero elements. A new ultra-lightweight front clam with unique carbon fibre ducts has wider radiator apertures and a new mesh pattern grille to provide a more combative aspect and to allow for a new front splitter and air curtain mechanism to reduce drag. The lightweight rear clam panel supports the larger, straight motorsport wing to increase downforce without impacting upon the car's overall drag coefficient. The new design front and rear clam panels are 6.8 kg lighter than those on any other Exige.

Focused fairly and squarely on aggressive track performance and point-to-point supremacy, the new Lotus Exige Cup 430 is capable of covering the Hethel circuit in 1 minute 24.8 seconds - the fastest production car to lap the famous circuit - 1.2 seconds faster than the Lotus 3-Eleven (Road).

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc said, "This is the car that we have always wanted to build, and I am sure that all Lotus enthusiasts will be delighted with the end product. As well as a significant power hike, the Cup 430 has benefited from extensive development in areas essential to Lotus' DNA, in order to ensure that the full potential of the Exige's incredible chassis can be exploited. This car has no rivals - inside or outside of its price bracket - and it's no exaggeration when we say that nothing can keep up with this Exige on the road or track."

Lotus' most extreme Exige packs the company's most potent powertrain into its smaller vehicle architecture to provide a level of performance that is a step beyond what most drivers can exploit. The car's distinctive and aggressive new styling perfectly matches the character of the new Exige Cup 430.Signaling the most motorsport focused models in Lotus' range, the Cup variants are centered on only the essential. Extending this philosophy to its limit, the new Cup 430 is at the apex of the Exige line-up - with only a track-only racer capable of exceeding the car's abilities.

With the Exige already regarded as the standard for purity of purpose, Lotus' engineers have built upon this benchmark, ensuring that the application of more power is complemented by a class-leading handling balance, characterised by precision and tactility.

At the heart of the car lies Lotus' most formidable engine, a 3.5-litre supercharged and charge cooled V6 producing 430 hp and 440 Nm.

Unapologetically aggressive, the Exige Cup 430's 220 kg of downforce is developed through the careful management of airflow under and over the car. Vital in keeping the Cup at the top of timing sheets, it's designed to make the most of 440 Nm (325 lbft) of torque delivered from 4,000 rpm, and delivering the lowest of lap times not matter the track. This not only includes the new front clam panel, incorporating a new design of splitter and carbon fibre air blades, but also the high mounted rear wing. The new body introductions combine form and function, with the new hybrid carbon composite panels not only saving weight, but also delivering the car's distinctive new styling and aerodynamic set up.

Balancing downforce over the entire car was a priority with, when compared to the Exige Cup 380, a greater percentage of downforce allocated to the front to ensure accurate high-speed turn in (36% increased to 45%). The new front splitter with trailing lip helps separate and speed airflow under the car and the inclusion of new air curtain elements into the front clam panel efficiently moves air though to the front wheel cavities to help reduce turbulence and drag generated by the front wheels. The front louvers reduce the pressure within the front wheel arches, increasing downforce. The cut-out sections behind the rear wheels, also reduce wheel arch pressure, whilst the new lightweight aluminium diffuser is 1 kg lighter. Crowning all of this is the carbon fibre straight rear wing, raised higher to further boost downforce, clearly signaling the car's aggressive intent and pursuit of aerodynamic excellence.

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  Article Image gallery (8) Specifications