Monday 18th February 2008

Updated: Lotus Exige Sport Cup 260

New Exige to cost £42,000

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It's special edition after special edition from Lotus these days, but could this be the best 'special' ever to come out of Norfolk?

We want one, so so much

Built for the track, the Exige Sport Cup 260 is powered by a 257bhp Toyota 1.8, helped along by the addition of a Roots- type Eaton M62 supercharger to give a 0-60 time of four seconds and passing 100 mph in just under ten seconds. The 2,046 lb car will top out at 147 mph.

Previously we reported that this car will cost £56,000, but in fact it will retail for a far more reasonable £42,000.

The gearbox is the standard six- speeder mated to a heavy duty clutch along with a standard LSD, although a plate- type LSD will be available as an option. If you plan to keep your car as a pure track weapon then the options list is tempting with a straight- cut dog gearbox, slick tyres, FIA approved Recaro seats with six point harnesses, FIA approved 70 litre fuel cell and a stainless race exhaust all available from the factory.

The look of the car is changed with a new aerodynamic kit producing a claimed 40 kgs of downforce at 100 mph. New 16- inch wheels with Yokohama A048R tyres complete the visual update.

Braking comes courtesy of four- piston AP Racing calipers and 282 mm cross drilled discs at the front, you also get adjustable dampers and anti- roll bar, launch control and variable traction control as standard.

 

[smele]

I remember when the Elise first cam out there was a colour called Old English White or something similar. The dealer told me that they can order any cacr in any spec without out a problem, but it I wanted one in white I would have to pay in full in adavance.

Now it seems they can't sell enough white ones.

[Vagabond]

£56k!! Lovely track car, but that seems excessive.

[jon-]

As much as I love the Exige 60k (once a few options are ticked) is getting seriously expensive for a car that seems to be compromised which ever way you look at it.

As a track only car there are better out right driving experiences (caternail) and as a road car you do a few trackdays in there are better mannered road cars which will give you as many thrills on track.

Beautiful machine, and I want one so much it hurts. I just wouldn't spend 60k on one.

[Rawwr]

£56k is mildly ridiculous.

[gopher cough]

hmmm plastic lotus or M3/GT-r/RS4

[Tahiti]

Forgive me for sounding like a girl but the wheels ruin the way it looks.

I agree with the sentiments above - it's a tad on the pricey side. I'm thinking 3 years old 996 Turbo...

[chrisbr68]

Tahiti said:

Forgive me for sounding like a girl but the wheels ruin the way it looks.

I agree with the sentiments above - it's a tad on the pricey side. I'm thinking 3 years old 996 Turbo...

I agree, I think some black wheels ought to do the trick.

[Fetchez la vache]

Rawwr said:

£56k is mildly ridiculous.

+1

Great car but 56k?

[L100NYY]

Tahiti said:

I agree with the sentiments above - it's a tad on the pricey side. I'm thinking 3 years old 996 Turbo...

How can you compare it with a three year old 996? Chalk and cheese chap.

This is a race ready car rather than a trackday special as such, £56k for that package is actually pretty good value.

Edited by L100NYY on Friday 15th February 12:02

[Mr_C]

I want one. Badly.

[VladD]

2,046lb is 928 kilos. How long before we have our first one tonne Elise/Exige?

As above, great car, rubbish wheels and huge price tag.

Edited by VladD on Friday 15th February 12:25

[Raph C]

L100NYY said:

This is a race ready car rather than a trackday special

[S Works]

Does it come with a race-spec, FIA-approved roll-cage, the appropriate cut-outs and a plumbed in fire extinguisher?

[L100NYY]

S Works said:

Does it come with a race-spec, FIA-approved roll-cage, the appropriate cut-outs and a plumbed in fire extinguisher?

Wrong wheels in that pic I believe, runs on these as far as I'm aware....

Edited by L100NYY on Friday 15th February 12:24

[R.P.M]

awesome car, but why do lotus keep rolling out these special editions?
It's as if the marketing dept are taking the pee.
Were these extra items not already available to spec?

Also cant think 56k is good value. I'd rather put another couple of grand to it and get myself a mint 996 gt3 mk2.

RPM

[Martin_Hx]

Loving it... *reads more* wow, this will be awesome! *read a little further down*...

....How much ! Fookin 'ell, bit must isnt it ?

[bales]

VladD said:

2,046lb is 928 kilos. How long before we have our first one tonne Elise/Exige?

As above, great car, rubbish wheels and huge price tag.

Edited by VladD on Friday 15th February 12:25

Does seem heavy! My 205 weighs 800kg!!, even light cars are becoming fat nowadays!

Think I would stick with a Noble for that price to be honest and doubt there would be much difference in pace on a track given the power advantage of a M400, and it is "slightly" more road biased too.

Edited by bales on Friday 15th February 13:01

[Tony*T3]

Thats a big cost over head when you think the basic Exige S is yours for £35k.

[L100NYY]

R.P.M said:

awesome car, but why do lotus keep rolling out these special editions?
It's as if the marketing dept are taking the pee.
Were these extra items not already available to spec?

Also cant think 56k is good value. I'd rather put another couple of grand to it and get myself a mint 996 gt3 mk2.

RPM

Not a special edition though, it's a Lotus Sport product by special order. Replaces the Cup 255 which again was not a special edition. To compare this car to Nobles, GT3's etc is kinda missing the point of the Cup 260 though to be honest.

[Boggy]

Saw it at Castle's

(Thanks again Ben)

Great car but 60k, sorry it's not for us

Boggy