Lotus has launched its latest track-focused Exige for the road, which has been inspired by the GT3 race car.
The Lotus Exige Cup 260 produces 256bhp and it sheds 38kg of weight off of last year’s model. Extensive levels of carbonfibre body work have been used to help keep its weight down to 890kg.
See the Lotus Exige 260 Coupe picture gallery
Other weight-saving features include a new battery, lightweight alloy wheels, a new flywheel and a revised engine sub frame. These changes give the Lotus a power to weight ratio of 288bhp per tonne.
Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering for Lotus said, “The Lotus Exige Cup 260 is the epitome of the Lotus brand philosophy of performance through lightweight.
“Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus, once said “Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere” and the Exige Cup 260 totally proves this, being one of the most exhilarating, focussed and pure sportscars on the road today.”
The aerodynamics of the car have also been tweaked to create more downforce and the car is eligible to race in the Lotus Cup Europe race series.
The supercharged engine produces 174lb ft of torque in addition to the 256bhp, and it can get from 0-62mph in 4.1secs.
Fuel economy and CO2 emissions have been improved, too. The Exige produces 199g/km of CO2 and combined fuel economy is 33.2mpg.
Prices for the new model start at £45,000 (which includes a full tank of fuel) and it is available to order now.
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